A Chinese-built seawater desalination plant has begun supplying fresh water to the port city of Gwadar, aiming to alleviate a long-standing scarcity crisis in the region. The 1.2 million gallons per day (MGD) facility is currently providing 700,000 gallons of drinking water daily to the city's more than 100,000 residents, according to local officials, according to a Gwadar Pro's report.

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), said the project was critical to solving the area's severe water shortage.

"Without the activation of this plant, it would be impossible to address the drinking water shortage that has become a daunting challenge in Gwadar," Rehman said during a recent visit to the facility. He described the plant as a "blessing" for residents and a testament to China's support.

The plant was constructed with a Rs 2 billion grant from the China in a collaboration between the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). The project also includes a one-kilometer pipeline connecting the facility, which sits on a one-acre site, to Gwadar's main water supply network.

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