The future of Gwadar.

• Author: Butt, Imtiaz Rafi
• Position: Gwadar, Pakistan

Byline: Imtiaz Rafi Butt

In December, 2020, the 5th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Gwadar, which includes, representatives of multiple Ministries from Pakistan and their counterparts in the Chinese Government, reviewed the progress of up gradation of Gwadar and showed satisfaction over the pace of projects. Gwadar, even though challenges still remain, remains a point of mighty potential of Pakistan. The Imran Khan government is finally playing its cards right. Gwadar and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are being processed unhindered by political and social ups and downs. The internal as well as external conditions are conducive for Gwadar. The focus should now be on, keeping all parties involved in harmony and keeping an eye on the ball.

Gwadar has a checkered history. Initially, a part of Oman, Pakistan acquired Gwadar in 1958. From the start, Gwadar's potential was identified for being an excellent site for a deep sea port. Many decades passed, Gwadar could not be instigated as it should have been. In the late 1990s, surveys and reports which were completed in joint co-operation of China. Gwadar development projects kicked off around 2005. After the announcement of CPEC, Gwadar became the focal point for China and Pakistan. In time, this focus shifted from just two countries to the whole region.

Gwadar sits overlooking the oil rich nations of the Middle East. On the land side, it can form linkages with Central Asian states. China can revive the old silk route with Gwadar being a part of both land linkage and maritime access. CPEC and OBOR are now in full swing and Gwadar is at the heart of both. The private sector has been convinced of its importance and potential. The Real Estate market is booming and multiple housing projects are being installed. Gwadar Green Palms is one of those key projects that is making Gwadar, livable for Pakistanis from all corners.

Gwadar was being developed considering that Chabahar port of Iran would attempt to overshadow its progress as a rival. Scholars and geo-political experts were of the view that Iran would make all efforts to revive its economy through their own deep sea port and sabotage Gwadar for its own gains. All those rumors have now been put to sleep. China took the upper hand and by offering a larger stimulus package for Iran and Chabahar. Now, Gwadar and Chabahar ports are not being developed as regional rival port cities but as twin cities. It is cementing act that combines the...