An Editorial from Dawn: Progress on Gwadar |
05.12.2004 |
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The completion of the first phase of the $248 million Gwadar seaport project, which is being built with Chinese help, is good news. The Chinese president is expected to join President Musharraf in inaugurating the port later this month. The commissioning of the Gwadar port is expected to give a boost to economic activity in the region which has remained trapped in poverty and backwardness.
However, for the project to realize its full potential, the infrastructure should be in place to ensure that shipments of incoming and outgoing goods are handled with the minimum of hassles. For this to happen Gwadar must not only be serviced by a modern and efficient highway network and transport facilities but the town itself should be planned in a manner that allows it to function efficiently. The government needs to engage experienced architects to plan a city befitting the vision that the authorities have of Gwadar.
The commercial and industrial sections of the town must be situated away from the residential and recreational areas. Provision must be made for parks and playgrounds. This is a unique opportunity for the government to build a town with modern and efficient facilities and services.
For Gwadar to be a success, more needs to be done on several fronts. For one, the people of Balochistan must be given the opportunity to share in its development as well as benefit from its prosperity. Particular attention needs to be paid to developing indigenous human skills and resources so that there is a feeling of involvement amongst the local population.
On the development of the port city itself, more attention needs to be paid to ensuring that it does not turn into another chaotic and badly planned urban conurbation. Finally, political parties should not exploit local misgivings about development in Gwadar to get even with the government. Gwadar is a project of national importance and its development is a priority that should not be obstructed by turning it into a focal point of divisive politics. |
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