Under the initiative of Pathways to a Modern Coastal City of Gwadar, a high-level meeting was held on February 9 to promote blue economy including making Gwadar a premium, sustainable and world-class city for trade, tourism and investment.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, attended by Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch, officials of Planning Commission, Gwadar Development Authority, Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust, heads of concerned federal and provincial institutions and senior officers, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Chairman Gwadar Port Authority Noorul Haq Baloch gave a detailed briefing on the operationalization of Gwadar Port, coastal tourism, blue economy, sustainable solutions for water and electricity, employment opportunities for the youth, declaration of Gwadar as a tax-free zone, development of fisheries sector, aquaculture, establishment of shipyards, and promotion of investment.

The meeting made recommendations for the promotion of coastal tourism, completion of eight pending resorts under the Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, the preparation of a comprehensive tourism master plan for the coastal areas of Balochistan, a clear framework of land use and zoning, and the provision of investment opportunities under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

At the same time, emphasis was laid on attracting international hotel chains through tax concessions and incentive packages for setting up world-class resorts. In the water and energy sector, instructions were given for installation of more RO plants unde the PPP mode in coastal areas, uninterrupted and stable power supply to Gwadar Free Zones, and expeditious implementation of power stabilization projects for coastal communities.

In the field of connectivity, matters discussed included the organization of Gwadar 2026 roadshow, the promotion of investment in collaboration with China, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, inter-governmental negotiations for transshipment through Gwadar Port, the launch of at least one weekly flight between Islamabad-Gwadar, Nokundi-Gwadar railway connectivity and pre-feasibility studies of Gwadar-Sohar Underwater Tunnel and Maritime Corridor, as well as the launch of a ferry service with Oman.

With regard to industrial and commercial development, recommendations were made for the construction of a high-rise commercial complex in Gwadar under the PPP mode, the establishment of Gwadar Shipyard, and the prioritization of cluster-based projects of water resources in the coastal areas of Jiwani.

The meeting also focused on health, education and security sectors, under which the University of Gwadar should be made fully functional by 2026 and the Gwadar Smart City project completed in a timely manner.

At the end of the meeting, it was decided to form a joint working group, to be chaired by Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch, to finalize these recommendations and include more actionable suggestions. The working group will make more comprehensive recommendations on the overall development of Gwadar in the next few days so that practical steps can be initiated.

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