Regional Dominance Through Ports.

The premier of Pakistan recently made a statement emphasising the Gwadar port as an essential component for the success of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He further stressed that the economic future of Pakistan is linked with the success of CPEC. This statement is strong and weak at the same time; strong in the sense that Pakistan acknowledges the Gwadar seaport as a vital component of CPEC and simultaneously being weak in the sense that Gwadar's significance is linked to CPEC alone.

The development of the Gwadar port is not only a game changing venture for Pakistan but also for the region. Initially, it would be hard for Gwadar to be in a competitive position given the reposited trust and investment in the established ports. However, once Gwadar achieves a competitive level, it could compel the region to reformulate its economic agendas. The competition would be at an intercontinental and continental scale. It would not be wrong to project that the competition would not remain to the extent of ports alone, rather would translate to regional and national interests of states. In either case, regional embeddedness is of paramount importance and Pakistan needs to proactively encompass its strategic policies accordingly.

As such, ports are not to be treated as an individual component but are to be integrated within the national policy. Therefore, as much as the economic-geographical location, technological advancements, and infrastructural development are important to the success of Gwadar port, it is imperative for Pakistan to frame a national marine policy encapsulating strengthening economic functions of the seaport, attracting and implementing investments, directing resources to the ports in a manner to achieve higher competitive levels in marine and multimodal transportation, and integrating the global supply chain actors for the projected connectivity and cooperation.

Ports in the Middle East, the Chahbahar port, and other ports in Southeast Asia are tough competitors. In order for Gwadar to gain dominance, it is essential to achieve economic and political sustainability and stability because ports are generally fragile to political and economic conditions and an attractive port is one having the capability to performs its services within progressive economic and political framework.

Even though political stability is a hard reality to achieve in Pakistan, economic conditions and policy framework may be devised in a manner...