Why Gwadar Project Should Be Completed At All Costs? Is There A Case For Handing Over The Port To China?
By Sikander Hayat
Pakistan is looking to revoke its agreement with Singapore Port Authority (SPA) because of the fact that no work of substance has been carried out at the project and the purpose for which it was being built is not anywhere near being met. The main purpose of this port is to make Gwadar the hub of trade for the landlocked Afghanistan & other central Asian republics. Given the fact that Pakistan is feeling the huge impact economically by the on-going war against the terrorists and large deployments of Pakistan army on its western border, Gwadar project has acquired huge significance for the revival of Pakistani economy and bringing out of poverty large areas of Baluchistan.
I have written previously on this blog that Gwadar must not be abandoned ad the bastard child of dictatorship. Just because Musharaf took a keen interest in developing Gwadar especially and Baluchistan generally does not mean that the new government let it slip into degradation. Pervez Musharaf saw Gwadar as a key to new Pakistan and came down heavily on anyone who came in the way of reaching that goal. Just before Gwadar was fully operational, Pervez Musharaf had to leave office but that should not stop the civilian government from taking over from where Musharaf no matter what the expense is.
One alternative being muted is to give the contract to China to bring the Gwadar port to an international standard. Huma Yousuf in The Daily Dawn writes “For many Pakistanis, the economic development angle of the Islamabad-Beijing relationship is probably more important than the security dimension. Pakistan is quite happy to let China traverse its territory to gain access to Gwadar, and through that port, to the Gulf. After all, Chinese investment means infrastructure development for Pakistan, as well as added benefits such as the civilian nuclear power deals.”
Pakistan can ask for soft loans from China & other friendly countries to get the Gwadar project completed and connected to all parts of Pakistan, especially to all major population centres in Baluchistan province. Baluchistan desperately needs an engine of growth and Gwadar could play that role. If Gwadar succeeds, Baluchistan will be the biggest winner which will result in a more prosperous Pakistan. For this matter a special ministry should be created which just looks after the affairs of Gwadar project and its completion and smooth running. Off course given the mistrust in many circles in Baluchistan, it will be necessary to have minister & technocrats of Baloch descent running the majority affairs of this ministry and no expense should be spared in achieving the goal. I cannot stress enough that it is of paramount importance that Pakistan gets this done as soon as possible so that the country can get out of the current economic rut it finds itself in.
Pakistan can ask for soft loans from China & other friendly countries to get the Gwadar project completed and connected to all parts of Pakistan, especially to all major population centres in Baluchistan province. Baluchistan desperately needs an engine of growth and Gwadar could play that role. If Gwadar succeeds, Baluchistan will be the biggest winner which will result in a more prosperous Pakistan. For this matter a special ministry should be created which just looks after the affairs of Gwadar project and its completion and smooth running. Off course given the mistrust in many circles in Baluchistan, it will be necessary to have minister & technocrats of Baloch descent running the majority affairs of this ministry and no expense should be spared in achieving the goal. I cannot stress enough that it is of paramount importance that Pakistan gets this done as soon as possible so that the country can get out of the current economic rut it finds itself in.
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I am sorry to say you that u put my taken picture in your article without any reference and acknowledgements, which was already published in 2006 on webpage http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbukhari/112348661/. This picture has been used in your online article (http://real-politique.blogspot.com/search/label/Balochistan) under the heading Why Gwadar Must Not Be Abandoned Like A Bastard Child Of Dictatorship? by Mr. Sikander Hayat.
ReplyDeleteI suggest you if u use any material from net please do give a reference of real owner.
Many thanks
Shaista Hameed
(sham_dadi@yahoo.com)
Dear Shaista Hameed,
ReplyDeleteI have published your comment here to give readers your perspective and acknowledge your contribution.
Regards
Sikander Hayat
First shipment of 49,387 tons of urea, imported by the state run grain trader, has reached Gwadar port on Thursday. In October this year, the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC), of the Cabinet,. directed Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) to import 0.5 million tons urea to ensure sufficient urea supply during upcoming crop season.
ReplyDeleteFollowing the directives of ECC, TCP successfully awarded five tenders to the five different parties for the import of 0.5 million tons of urea. First consignment under this import has reached on December 5, 2013 from Oman, sources said.
As per schedule given by the supplier, the first ship namely "MV Bulk Costarica" carrying about 49,387 tons of urea has berthed at Gwadar port. Another shipment of 50,000 tons is scheduled to arrive on December 9/10, 2013.
Besides import of urea from international market, TCP is also importing commodity from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) against $100 million credit grant of Saudi Fund for Development. Under the credit facility so far some 164,000 tons of urea has reached Pakistan, while remaining quantity will arrive till December 2013.
It may be mentioned here that TCP is only responsible for import of urea, while its distribution, transportation and bagging will be handled by M/s. National Fertiliser Marketing Limited (NFML) to ensure timely availability of urea in the local market.
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