QUETTA, Dec 4: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani said on Sunday the Gwadar port had the potential to turn into a trade hub for the region and gateway to Central Asia and the Middle East.

Addressing a ceremony held to inaugurate the civil secretariat in the coastal town, he said: “Gwadar has strategic and geographical importance and the 21st Century belongs to such places.”

Nawab Raisani said his government was endeavouring to make the port fully functional and Gwadar had been declared the winter provincial capital to expedite development.

He said some elements were waging propaganda against the decision that had been taken in the interest of the people of the region.

People claiming that the move will put financial burden on the poor province must visit Gwadar and witness the expenditure made by the provincial government, he said. The chief minister said he would concentrate on his development agenda for the province and its people.

“Pakistan’s future is linked with the functioning of Gwadar port.”

He said offices of all important departments had been set up in the town.

He said the port had become partially functional and ships carrying fertiliser from various countries were being offloaded there.

The chief minister said the rich mineral resources of the province had not been exploited so far and the government was making all out efforts to explore them for the benefit of the people.

He said his government had been striving from its first day to make the people of Balochistan the owners of those resources and bring a change in their lives as they had not been given their rights by all pervious rulers.

Provincial Finance Secretary Mir Dostain Jamaldani informed the chief minister that Rs20.8 million had been allocated setting up offices in Gwadar and Rs2.5 million would be spent on purchasing computers.