The Federal Government has allocated more than Rs. 13.63 billion for various infrastructure, education, energy, and social development projects in Gwadar. The funding aims to accelerate the district’s transformation and broader national development goals. While most of the projects are located within the Gwadar district—focusing on city infrastructure, services, and institutional development—some, such as the Gwadar-Ratodero Road, serve as vital external linkages, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday.

Although these connecting projects lie outside the city geographically, they play a crucial role in integrating Gwadar with inland Pakistan and facilitating economic flow. One of the largest allocations under PSDP, 2025-26 has been made for the construction of the Gwadar-Ratodero Road Project (M-8). The project, revised and approved by ECNEC in January 2021 at a total cost of Rs. 38.02 billion, has so far consumed Rs. 32.89 billion. In PSDP 2025–26, Rs3 billion have been earmarked for its continuation.

The New Gwadar International Airport, a flagship initiative to enhance regional and international air connectivity, will receive Rs. 4 billion this year. The total cost of the project stands at Rs. 54.98 billion, with Rs. 42.71 billion already spent. For the Gwadar Safe City Project, which aims to modernize urban security through surveillance infrastructure, Rs. 1.5 billion have been allocated. The project’s total cost is Rs. 2.48 billion, with Rs. 738 million spent so far.

The Establishment of University of Gwadar (Phase-I), approved in 2022 with a total cost of Rs. 2.49 billion, has been allotted Rs. 500 million for the current fiscal year. In the water sector, the long-standing project for Necessary Facilities of Fresh Water Treatment, Supply and Distribution, approved in 2010, will receive Rs. 470.648 million. Since its inception, Rs.23 billion have been spent on the project.

The Rehabilitation of Old Town Gwadar (Provision of Missing Facilities), underway since 2021, has been allocated Rs. 400 million in the current PSDP. Similarly, the construction of Shehzanik Dam in District Gwadar, approved in 2021, has received Rs. 220 million this year, with cumulative spending of Rs. 1.75 billion. To improve sanitation, the Gwadar Smart Environmental Sanitation System and Landfill Project, approved in May 2024, will get Rs. 200 million.

The Gwadar Development Authority (Business Plan), initially approved in 2010, will receive Rs. 250 million. In education, Rs. 100 million have been allocated for the Establishment of FG Junior Public School Gwadar. The project, approved in February 2024, has a total cost of Rs. 384.667 million, with Rs. 184.667 million spent to date. The Award of Scholarships to Students from Gwadar under the HEC scheme, launched in 2017, has been allotted Rs. 18.344 million this year, bringing the cumulative disbursement to Rs. 146.769 million.

In the emerging blue economy sector, the Gwadar Blue Economy Centre (Phase-I), approved by CDWP in June 2024 at a total cost of Rs. 3.92 billion, will receive Rs. 15 million in the current fiscal year. Land acquisition for 750 acres at Grandani Junubi, in line with the Gwadar Master Plan, has been allotted Rs. 1.11 billion. The project, approved in June 2024, is estimated at Rs. 3.92 billion. The Ancillary Facilities at GPA Housing Complex, Gwadar, will get Rs. 125.435 million against a total cost of Rs. 225.435 million.

The Construction of Model Custom Collectorate Gwadar has been allocated Rs. 680.833 million. To support the city’s power infrastructure, Rs. 384 million have been earmarked for the ongoing scheme of six feeders for Free Zone North and South. The project had already consumed Rs. 544.736 million by the end of the previous fiscal year. In the maritime sector, the Strengthening of Oceanographic Research Sub Station Gwadar, approved in 2021 with a cost of Rs. 300 million, has received Rs. 150 million in PSDP 2025-26.

For the Project Management Cell for the Creation of Shipyard at Gwadar, approved in 2020 at a cost of Rs. 773.256 million, Rs. 186 million have been allocated this year. To date, the project has consumed Rs9.28 billion. The Infrastructure Works of Off-Dock Terminal at Gwadar, approved in May 2025 with a cost of Rs. 496.768 million, will receive Rs. 100 million.

Meanwhile, the Construction of Eastbay Expressway Phase-II, though still with the status of “unapproved” and referred to ECNEC in June 2025, has been allocated Rs. 200 million out of a total estimated cost of Rs. 30.13 billion. Lastly, Rs. 10 million have been allocated for the Acquisition of Land for Rail Connectivity from Gwadar (Km 901) via Besima to Jacobabad (Km 387), a project approved in 2024 with a total cost of Rs. 15.59 billion.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China