Free Trade Zone,Gwadar University and Dams inaugrated in Gawadar
Says Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar, Development projects worth billions Rupees being implemented in Balochistan
GWADAR: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says development projects worth billions of rupees being implemented in Balochistan will guarantee progress and prosperity of the province and Gwadar city, which was the most backward would emerge as prosperous.INP rported.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of different development projects in Gwadar on Thursday, he said these projects will be completed in the next two to three years.
The Prime Minister said he is very happy to see that Gwadar is transforming into an international city. He said Gwadar has the potential to become a world class sea port. He said it is a place which is not only important for Pakistan, but also for the region and the world. He said Gwadar which used to be most backward city of Pakistan is becoming most prosperous city of the region. He said that Gwadar seaport is nerve centre of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. He said Gwadar is Balochistan and Balochistan is Gwadar and similarly Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar.
Nawaz Sharif pointed out that 300MW coal fired power plant is being built which will provide electricity to Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan. Likewise, he said desalination plant will provide clean drinking water to Gwadar and adjoining areas. He said domestic and international flights will be operated from Gwadar international airport linking Gwadar to the world.
He said he is proud of Pakistan-China friendship and said it will be strengthened further. He said Pakistan and China are implementing joint venture in infrastructure, power, railways and other sectors including industrial zones and economic zones. He said through infrastructure projects, traffic from Gwadar will go to China and vice versa.
The Prime Minister said over ten thousand MW of electricity will be added to the national grid by the end of 2017 or in the beginning of 2018. He hoped that load shedding will end in 2018 in the country. He said work is continuing on different projects in full swing. He directed the Gwadar Port Authority not to allow land encroachers to crop up in the area. He also directed the authority to follow the Master Plan of Gwadar City at all costs.
The Prime Minister as a result of operation against terrorists, terrorism is breathing its last. He said peace has also been established in Balochistan. He paid tribute to the armed forces, security agencies, police, administration and other institutions who sacrificed for peace in the country.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, MOUs on different projects were signed between Pakistan and Chinese authorities.
Referring to demand of the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo for a grant of Rs 10 billion for health, education and other facilities in Gwadar, the Prime Minister said an allocation of Rs 50 billion will be placed at the disposal of provincial government for such projects. He said a university being set up in Gwadar will cost Rs 5 billion. He said the CPEC will create 50,000 jobs and priority will go to local residents of Gilgit.
Speaking on the occasion Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong in his speech said Gwadar port is a symbol of China-Pakistan friendly cooperation. He said construction of the port is resolve of the Chinese engineers and technicians to develop it as a modern port. He said it is a testimony of brotherly friendship and all round cooperation and reflects the spirit of mutual respect, mutual support and trust and benefit as well as win win cooperation.
He offered to take steps to work together with Pakistan to promote development of Gwadar free zone,. He suggested for taking safety measures to achieve Safe Gwadar and work together so that Gwadar Port should serve as regional co9nnectivity.
He announced a donation of Rs 6 million for a local school of Gwadar and said 20 elders and dignatories from balochsitan would be invited to visit China. He said they would also invite medical staff from Balochistan for medical training and provide five Chinese government scholarship to students of Gwadar.
Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri said security division has been created for security of Chinese engineers and workers and free Gwadar project would be realized. He said the people of Balochistan fully own the CPEC and confront all the challenges in its completion.
Minister for Ports and Shipping Hasil Khan Bizenjo described the occasion as a historic moment. He said people of Balochistan are on board on CPEC as they want to see the province progress at a fast pace.
