Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: History will be made today with the formal initiation of trade activities at Gwadar Port, as the first trade convoy carrying Chinese goods for export through the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and a Chinese ship arrived at the port the other day.

Officials sources told Daily Times that a ceremony marking the opening of trade activities through the corridor would be held today (Sunday), to be attended by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, federal ministers and ambassadors of 15 countries. They will send the first consignment – consisting of 50 trucks – to the Middle East and African countries from Gwadar. These truckloads of tradable goods started their journey some days ago from Sust border and reached Gwadar through the National Highway, sources said. This will be first major achievement for both the countries under the CPEC, as China is already working to make Gwadar a state-of-the-art port. Under the ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy, this port will increase the volume of trade between Pakistan and China, while the neighbouring countries will also benefit from it. Sources said that Russia and Iran have already showed their interest in joining the CPEC, while negotiations in this regard are underway. A special force formed for the security of the CPEC and Chinese nationals will be deployed to guard today’s event.