Transformative Progress: Gwadar East-bay Expressway and Economic Vitality

The project is progressing swiftly and is now scheduled for an early next-year finish. This expressway plays a pivotal role in establishing seamless connectivity between the port and its Free Zone, integrating them into the National Highways network, facilitating swift transportation of import, export, and transit goods.

Notably, Gwadar port, a Chinese-backed initiative, is a key component of the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In a related development, economic activities at Gwadar port commenced last week with the arrival of a vessel carrying 17,000 tons of DAP fertilizer. Of these goods, 60 percent are en route to Afghanistan via 550 trucks, passing through the Chaman border.

Chairman of the CPEC Authority and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Asim Saleem Bajwa, conveyed via a tweet that Gwadar Port has initiated local bulk cargo handling for the first time, reducing reliance on foreign ports. This move aligns with the objectives of the CPEC, focusing on local job creation and bolstering the transport industry.

Additionally, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang, expressed China's satisfaction during a recent media briefing in Beijing, acknowledging the commencement of transit cargo operations from Pakistan's strategically positioned Gwadar port to Afghanistan. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), connecting China's resource-rich Xinjiang province with Gwadar, remains the flagship initiative of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), signifying China's commitment to expanding its global influence through infrastructure investments.