by 
Pakistan Government has finalized and approved the ‘Gwadar Smart City Master Plan’ under CPEC plans.
The master plan has been prepared by the Chinese state-owned company China Communications Construction Company along with Pakistan’s Minister of Planning and Development, and Gwadar Development Authority.
According to reports, Gwadar’s economic output is expected to exceed $30 billion, while creating up to 1.2 million jobs for skilled workers.
The city is likely to attract high commercial activity since the government will provide a tax-free zone there. Pakistan’s largest international airport had been inaugurated earlier this year in the new city.
Gwadar would become a new business hub not only for local and Chinese transit and trade but also for the region, including Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The officials further projected that high-tech industries would be established, mega shopping malls, luxury resorts, and manmade islands too would be created eventually in and around Gwadar.
According to the plan, Pakistan seeks for Gwadar to become the economic and trade hub of South-Asia. The GDP per capita eventually of Gwadar is expected to reach $15,000 – 10 times that of Pakistan’s average. The total GDP is Gwadar expected to reach beyond $30 billion per annum, creating 1-1.2 million jobs.
Power Projects for Gwadar
The Power Purchase Agreement of 300MW Coal Power Project was made as a deliverable for the forthcoming 10th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of CPEC. The project upon completion will energize industry in Gwadar and will improve the social and economic well-being of the local community.
Gwadar East-Bay Expressway
The Construction of Eastbay Expressway is the main artery of Gwadar Port through which the entire traffic of port will flow.
Currently, Gwadar Deep-Sea Port is connected through a narrow 16 feet wide thoroughfare of Gwadar town at the West-Bay.
This 6-lane expressway along with a provision of 30 meters wide railway corridor shall connect the port with the Mekran Coastal Highway (N-20) through the 2300 acres Free Trade Zone of Gwadar Port.
The Expressway will connect the port with the 2nd Phase of the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) which will facilitate the business climate of the zone and the port alike.
The objective of Eastbay Expressway is providing primary connectivity of the Port & its Free Zone with the network of National Highways. Linking Gwadar Port with the main artery of national highway network and smooth logistic transportation of import, export and transit goods.
Water Provision for Gwadar City
The CM Balochistan said that under the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan, best water supply schemes and sewerage facilities were under construction in the area.
For the development of Gwadar as a smart port city, it was reiterated that the provision of freshwater is of utmost importance. In this regard, the 1.2 MGD desalination plant project was termed critical.
Both sides of Pakistan China Joint Working Group (JWG) on Gwadar agreed to take necessary measures to complete the project in time.
Balochistan Govt and Fed Govt under CPEC planned some water projects for Gwadar City:
- Shadi kaur Dam with Sawad Dam through pipeline 3500 Mil
- Dosi Dam Pasni 475 M
- Shenzani kaur Dam Pasni Rs500m
- Phase-3 water supply network of gwadar town 3000 mill
- 5MGD desalination
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) on Wednesday (2 Dec 2020) cleared 5 development projects at a cumulative cost of about Rs54bn, including Rs38bn 2nd phase of a project for laying cross-border optic fiber cable along the CPEC Route Khunjrab-Gwadar-Karachi.
Gwadar Port activity
Major part of Afghan transit trade is now passing through Gwadar.
The dry port would also serve all Central Asian Republics (CARs). Uzbek authorities are keen to shift their exports and imports to Gwadar as it was the nearest port city for them.
First consignment of 8 containers containing seafood has left Port on MV Esperanza for China. This successful international transshipment will open new avenues of economic development for country & is a testament to our readiness for international business.
Special Economic Zones to revolutionize industrial & economic growth of Pakistan
Join The Discussion