QUETTA The newly constructed Gwadar Deep Sea Port formally became functional on Sunday, with the unloading of the first ship anchored at the port, carrying fertilizer from Qatar.

The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Ahmed Gabbol and Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Aslam Raisani attended the ceremony.

Prime Minister Gilani was also invited to the ceremony, but he was unable to attend.

Another huge ship carrying fertilizer will reach the port from Qatar on Monday, while in the next four months over 21 ships will anchor at the third major port of the country.

The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Gabbol, while speaking at the ceremony said that with Gwadar now functional, it would become a hub for generating economic activities in the entire region.

He said that Gwadar port would play an important role in the future economic development of the country, while thousands of jobs would be created for local people.

The Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Aslam Raisani, while speaking on the occasion said, `Gwadar port is an asset of the Baloch people and we will neither allow anyone to occupy it, nor allow converting the Baloch majority into a minority in Gwadar.`

He said that the agreement signed with a Singapore company would be reviewed and subsequently it would be amended if found necessary.

He directed the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) officials to provide jobs to local residents, since it was their right.

The Chief Minister took serious notice of brining labourers from Karachi for offloading fertilizer from the ship.

He said that his government would ensure that the local people had control over their resources and received their rights in the province.