Balochistan's Development a Top Priority for Provincial Government

KARACHI, Feb 17 (APP): Director-General Shahzeb Khan Kakar of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has reiterated the government's commitment to shaping Gwadar into a Smart Port City. The modern Gwadar master plan and associated by-laws are primed to kickstart developmental initiatives within the city.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) at ABAD House, he announced the removal of all obstacles hindering Gwadar's development. Key attendees included ABAD Chairman Mohsin Sheikhani, Senior Vice Chairman Sohail Warind, Chairman Southern Region Muhammad Ali Ratadia, Shahid Baloch, Director Town Planning GDA, Assistant Town Planning, former chairman ABAD Junaid Ashraf Taloo, Hassan Bakshi, CEO of Star Marketing Wasiq Naeem, and several ABAD members.

Shahzeb Khan expressed confidence that with the support of organized associations like ABAD, Gwadar had the potential to rival cities like Singapore. He addressed the critical issues of water scarcity and electricity shortages, assuring the installation of pipelines from various dams to provide water for five years and the establishment of a 300 Megawatt power station. He also highlighted the successful handling of law and order concerns.

Moreover, Shahzeb Khan envisioned Gwadar's digital transformation, with plans to digitize all land records. He anticipated Gwadar's economic turnover to reach $30 billion by 2050, elevating the country's per capita income to $15,000 from its current $1,350.

Shahzeb Khan Kakar also emphasized the importance of a robust master plan, citing Karachi's challenges due to the lack of one. He pledged to prioritize the private sector's role in Gwadar's development, offering a streamlined One Window facility for private sector stakeholders.

During the meeting, Chairman ABAD Mohsin Sheikhani underscored the need for stakeholder collaboration in crafting the master plan and ensuring investor confidence by committing to minimal changes. He stressed the importance of a long-term, stable policy framework and investor-friendly facilities for sustainable development.

Former Chairman ABAD Junaid Ashraf Taloo proposed revisions to GDA's by-laws to create a more favorable investment environment.

Balochistan's Minister for Commerce and Industries, Muhammad Khan Utmankhail, announced the acceleration of development work on eight special economic zones, seeking increased federal support for these initiatives to spur economic activity in the province. He also outlined plans for 13 border markets along the Iran and Afghanistan borders, emphasizing the need for federal assistance in infrastructure development.

Highlighting Balochistan's mineral wealth, the minister designated three districts as marble cities to facilitate investors and uplift the local underprivileged population economically. Addressing unemployment, he predicted that special economic zones would generate job opportunities for 30,000 locals, benefiting the entire province. Muhammad Khan emphasized responsible utilization of provincial assets and resources for the people's progress and prosperity.

He noted that seventy industrial units were operational in Quetta's eastern bypass industrial zone, with efforts ongoing to enhance utilities like electricity, water, and natural gas for further development.