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The city has been termed as “Gwadar Smart Port City” in the new Master Plan 2019 suggesting that the city has become all about the seaport. Being located at the cross-junction of international sea shipping and oil trade routes, it will not be long before Gwadar acts as an international trade hub for Pakistan. Gwadar Port has the potential to connect three regions, i.e. Central Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East making the city a driver for Pakistan’s progress. Cargo ships carrying wheat and urea of the Afghan Transit Trade arriving at the port, and the LPG Terminal operations have boosted the business activity within the city. Commenting on the port operations Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood said, “This fulfills the long-standing request of the business community and the shipping industry, paving the way for generating business opportunities and employment both in Gwadar and along highways.”
Apart from the seaport, the China-funded New Gwadar International Airport, a $230 million project is expected to be launched by 2023. It will be the second biggest airport in Pakistan and has already entered the second phase of construction. Soon Gwadar will have an influx of foreigners interacting with the locals and conducting businesses in the high-potential land of Gwadar. Not only will this lead to the culture of Balochistan being known to the world but will also generate employment opportunities for the locals.
Moreover, the Government of Pakistan has been encouraging the private sector to invest in Gwadar as well. The local and foreign businesses that are to be established in the Gwadar Free Zone area are set to enjoy tax benefits for multiple years. The Senate Finance Committee approved the tax concessions proposed for Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone in the Finance Bill 2020-21. According to reports, more than 30 Pakistani and Chinese investors have already moved in with direct investments worth more than three billion Yuan and this is just the beginning.
Due to the beauty of Gwadar, the city is not just attractive to businessmen and industrialists but to tourists as well. Tourists across Pakistan and abroad want to explore the beauty of Balochistan. The M8 motorway and Makran coastal highway have connected the province with all other provinces making Gwadar a gateway to CPEC (China-Pak Economic Corridor) and OBOR (One Belt One Road). The M8 motorway leads to D.I.Khan, KPK via Turbat, Panjgur, Quetta, Zhob, Loralai, and Daanasar while the Makran coastal highway leads to Karachi, Sindh via Pasni, Ormara, Hingol, and Hub. These routes have made Gwadar accessible to all. Due to the breathtaking beaches, sunset points, islands, and golden deserts in Gwadar and Balochistan, the tourism industry has also begun to grow.
With ongoing developments across sectors ranging from the industrial sector to the social sector, Gwadar is progressing at the speed of light. Therefore, it is safe to say that Gwadar indeed is the next big thing for Pakistan, and it is time for it to shine in glory.
