The Balochistan government has allocated 2,585 acres of land for Gwadar’s Central Business District (CBD). To support the project’s launch, with an initial estimated cost of Rs 90 billion, government has also granted Gwadar district tax-free zone status, exempting the area from all provincial taxes. In addition, a road network spanning over 280km has been constructed.

This 10-year development project is projected to generate Rs 400 billion in profit, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday. The development was discussed during a key meeting on Gwadar’s flagship CBD project, held on March 31 under the chairmanship of Director General Gwadar Development Authority (GDA), Moin-ur-Rehman Khan.

The meeting reviewed the project’s progress, expected launch timeline, and its strategic importance in detail. Chief Engineer GDA Haji Syed Muhammad, Director Town Planning Shahid Ali, and other senior officials attended the meeting. During the session, the Director of Town Planning delivered a comprehensive briefing on the technical, commercial, and urban planning aspects of the project.

The CBD will be complemented by several completed and ongoing projects including the New Gwadar International Airport, Eastbay Expressway, Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, rehabilitation of the old town, road remodeling, establishment of parks, promotion of green growth, development of ecological corridors, mapping of tourism sites, digitalization initiatives, advancement of a skills-based economy, and the provision of social and civic amenities.

The project also aims to create new business opportunities while offering state-of-the-art healthcare and educational facilities. “In the context of global and regional changes, Gwadar is set to emerge as a new hub for national and international tourism, trade, and investment,” Moin-ur-Rehman Khan told Gwadar Pro.

He added that the Gwadar Central Business District is a key component of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan and will play a fundamental role in transforming the city into a world-class business and financial hub. The CBD is expected to become Gwadar’s modern “downtown.”

The meeting was also informed that the CBD will feature modern business offices, hotels, residential apartments, shopping centers, conference halls, cultural centers, and advanced public spaces. Supporting infrastructure will include traffic management systems, parking facilities, walking tracks, cycling routes, and modern public transport.

Key features of the project include amusement parks, an art and culture museum, a grand theater, a library, an international expo center, Gwadar Tower, a marina park, and seaside resorts. These developments are expected to enhance the city’s appeal and play a vital role in promoting tourism.

The meeting also reviewed the project’s business model, which will promote investment through land sales, public-private partnerships (PPP), and joint ventures (JV). The development will be carried out in phases over approximately eight years, beginning with the provision of basic infrastructure.

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