Gwadar CPEC projects reviewed ahead of 9th JWG meeting; 300-bed expansion of Pak-China Friendship Hospital proposed

ISLAMABAD/GWADAR: An important meeting was held in Islamabad to prepare for the ninth meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG on Gwadar). The group aims to put into effect the completed, ongoing and future projects in Gwadar under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Planning Commission Secretary Dr Muhammad Tahir Noor chaired the meeting, which was attended by senior officials of various federal ministries, divisions and other bodies concerned. Gwadar Development Authority Director General Moinur Rehman Khan and Gwadar Port Authority Director General Operations Dawood Kalmati joined through video link.

The meeting reviewed in detail the progress of the projects completed in Gwadar under CPEC, the present state of the ongoing projects and the projects proposed for the future. The aim is to settle key decisions and the way forward at the ninth JWG meeting, due next week.

Master plan and Pak-China Friendship Hospital

Director General GDA Moinur Rehman Khan gave a briefing on the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan 2017-2050, the progress of its implementation and the future urban and economic development of Gwadar. The master plan is among the key projects completed under CPEC. It serves as the basic guideline document for Gwadar’s future urban development, land use, micro-planning, infrastructure and economic activity.

He also briefed the meeting on the progress and operational state of the GDA Pak-China Friendship Hospital Gwadar. He said the hospital, run by the Indus Hospital and Health Network, is an important and valuable gift from China to the people of Gwadar, Makran and Balochistan. He proposed that the hospital’s expansion be included in future CPEC projects. Under it, its capacity would be raised to 300 beds, and the setting up of a medical college and a nursing college would also be considered. This would let people get medical education and modern health facilities on one platform.

The DG GDA also proposed that a modern fish landing jetty, a fish harbour and a boat-making industry at West Bay/Padi Zar in Gwadar be included in future CPEC projects. The aim is to equip the fishing industry with modern facilities, create better business opportunities for local fishermen, promote boat building and strengthen the local economy.

Gwadar Port and Free Zone

The meeting also considered other projects, including Gwadar Port and the Free Zone, the New Gwadar International Airport, the East Bay Expressway, the Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, water supply and desalination plants. DG Operations Gwadar Port Authority Dawood Kalmati briefed the meeting on the port’s operations, Gwadar Free Zone Phase-I and Phase-II, and the technical institute. The meeting was told that the first phase of the Free Zone has been completed, while development work is under way over a large area in the second phase.

The meeting was told that development under CPEC in Gwadar aims to promote the port and trade, and also to provide the city with modern urban facilities, health, education, water, jobs and economic opportunities. Future priorities for Gwadar Port include building a breakwater, dredging berthing areas and channels, and water supply projects for industry. All the bodies concerned were directed to finalise the latest progress, priorities and plan of action on the projects for the next meeting.

Photo: courtesy DG PR Balochistan