Daily Times

Sir: It is indeed very good to note that Gwadar Port is going to commence full commercial operations from January 2018 as all the development has been completed on schedule in a satisfactory manner.

Federal Maritime Affairs Minister Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo gave this good tiding while addressing members of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in Karachi the other day said that it a prime responsibility of the government as well as the people of Pakistan to ensure the smooth working of Gwadar Port which has a significant importance in the region.

According to the reports in the media, the minister has urged the locals to come forward prior to other foreign investors and participate actively in its activities, if the locals show due interest in this regard then there should be no complaints on any count, the Gwadar coastal belt has immense opportunities for promotion and development of tourism and the private sector come forward and build tourist resorts along the belt to exploit these opportunities.

The federal minister also dispelled the impression prevalent in some circles that Chabahar port of Iran will give a setback to Gwadar port saying quite emphatically and clearly that in future this port will be seeking support from Gwadar port, a tender is being floated next month for the construction of elevated expressway by the Karachi Port Trust which will connect Pakistan Deep Water Containers Port with the main port, somehow this important project has been under consideration for last about 12 years adding that China and Pakistan have signed an agreement to develop the deep sea commercial port which is one of the prime priorities under the multi-billion dollars great game changer China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) comprehensive project.

Needless to mention here that all this augurs well for the development of ports and shipping activities in the country.

AMIR NAMJEE

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, December 21^st 2017.