Gwadar Port - Development and prosperity for Balochistan.

• Author: Fazl-E-Haider, Syed

Byline: Syed Fazl-E-Haider

Balochistan is far behind from other provinces in economic development. It is assumed that if Gwadar Port becomes fully operational as hub port, it will change the fortune of the most backward and the country's poorest province. But on the other hand, if the terrorist activity to sabotage the mega development process gets a boost in the next few years in Balochistan, it will be a disaster for the least developed province.

The least developed province lacks infrastructure that discourages investment for industrial development. The existing road network in Balochistan is in a dire need of maintenance and repair. A coordinated network of roads does not interlink 32 districts in the province and hence there are missing links between economic centers in Balochistan. The limited road access and lack of road network affect the people of rural areas reducing their access to markets. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) involves construction of highways, railways and energy pipelines connecting western China with Pakistan and the Persian Gulf. The two countries signed 51 deals worth billions of dollars mostly relating to the CPEC project.

The CPEC is undoubtedly a game changer for Balochistan. Gwadar free port project promises more development projects in different sectors of Balochistan economy. Commerce, industry, trade and economic activities would receive a boost after the development of two-phased seaport in the province. Naturally the local people will benefit from the economic activities underway in their areas. The living standard of the local people would improve owing to the development projects in different economic sectors related to the Gwadar Port. Owing to the development of Gwadar Port, a huge investment in infrastructure sector promises a brilliant economic future for the development of industry in the province and it will bring about a revolution in its communication sector. The project would initiate a mega development process with huge investments which could make the province a new economic frontier of the country.

The CPEC and Gwadar Port are expected to usher in a new era of industrial development in Balochistan. Balochistan possesses enormous industrial potential in key sectors- agriculture, livestock, fisheries and minerals. There are greater investment opportunities in all sectors of provincial economy for exploiting the industrial potential of the province. A large number of agro-based...