Summary MOUs on different projects were signed between Pakistan and Chinese authorities.
GWADAR (Web Desk / APP) - Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated a string of development projects for Balochistan including a dam, Gwadar Free Zone, Business Complex and a University, all aimed at mainstreaming the country’s remotest areas.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was accompanied by Governor Balochistan Mohammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, General (retd) Qadir Baloch, Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Bizenjo and National Security Advisor General (retd) Nasir Janjua alongwith China’s ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony he said that development projects worth billions of rupees being implemented in Balochistan will guarantee progress and prosperity of the province and will be completed in the next two to three years.
The Prime Minister said he is very happy to see that Gwadar is transforming into an international city.
He said that Gwadar has the potential to become a world class sea port and is not only important for Pakistan, but also for the region and the world as it is nerve centre of China Pakistan Economic Corridor.
“Gwadar is Pakistan and Pakistan is Gwadar”, he pronounced.
The Prime Minister pointed out that 300MW coal fired power plant is being built which will provide electricity to Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan whereas desalination plant will provide clean drinking water to water to the city and adjoining areas.
Nawaz Sharif said domestic and international flights will be operated from Gwadar international airport linking it to the world.
He said Pakistan and China is implementing joint venture in infrastructure, power, railways and other sectors including industrial zones and economic zones through which traffic from Gwadar will go to China and vice versa.
The Prime Minister said over ten thousand MW of electricity will be added to the national grid by the end of 2017 or in the beginning of 2018.
He directed the Gwadar Port Authority not to allow land encroachers to crop up in the area and follow the Master Plan of Gwadar City at all costs.
The Prime Minister said that as a result of operation against terrorists, terrorism is breathing its last and peace has been established in Balochistan.
He also paid tribute to the armed forces, security agencies, police, administration and other institutions who sacrificed for peace in the country.
Strings of development projects under CPEC
The premier unveiled plaques of projects that included Gwadar Free Zone that would be exempt from taxes for 23 years and covers an area of 2300 acres. The infrastructure would be completed in a year’s time and was being constructed by China’s Overseas Port Holding Company.
He also unveiled plaque for a Business Service Complex that would house offices of companies involved in export, import and trade. The building would later house a Container Terminal also.
Other projects included inauguration of a school at Gwadar that has been gifted by the Communist Party of China. It has been constructed at a cost of US 400,000 dollars in a low income area in six months period.
He also inaugurated the Shadikaur dam, 130 kms from Pasni and 70 kms from Gwadar with a storage capacity of 45000 acre feet. Work on the project began in June 2011 while the lake covers an area of 1813 sq km that would meet the irrigation and drinking water needs of the people of the area.
The Prime Minister also unveiled a plaque for the University of Gwadar that would provide quality higher education to the people of the remotest areas of the country and help them play their part in national development.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, MOUs on different projects were signed between Pakistan and Chinese authorities.
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