By Zed Aye
Worrisome reports pour in about sudden stoppage of the port of Gwadar, rendering it un-operational. As a result, the industrialists and others have either deferred or dropped their projects, the only 5-star hotel in Gwadar gives a deserted look while people apprehend loss of billions to investors in commercial and industrial properties/plots. The worst report is about Singapore firm which was awarded the contract to operate the port. The company has reportedly left Gwadar, leaving the port in the lurch.
Why this sudden and clumsy down-turn of the port is posing question to the government. Reports suggest that the present situation is caused by the unstable political conditions of the province in the wake of bomb blasts and rocket attacks which have virtually deterred the investors to review their plans. Needless to say that plans to build huge godowns and an oil refinery have also been shelved.
Earlier reports had revealed that the Federal Cabinet had deferred approval of Gwadar Port Authority Bill 2008, on the ground the draft was “flawed and contained self-contradictory provisions”. It has proposed a review of the contact signed by GPA with the port operator. It is an attempt to seek political mileage and pacify the angry Baloch nationalists in the province. The Planning Commission, the provincial government of Balochistan and the Gwadar district Nazim were fully involved from the stage of conception to construction of berths by Chinese contractors and subsequent award of contract to a world class port operator. Even the Master Plan for the city of Gwadar as well as the terms of the contract with regard to it and tax holiday period was approved at the Federal Cabinet level with the participation of the former Chief Minister Jam Yousuf.
The sale of land in Gwadar to outsiders has created a siege mentality in the Mekran Coastal belt. Locals feel that the outsiders would reduce them to a minority. This line of thinking is not unique among the nationalists. There are states where outsiders cannot own property in a province and also do not have a right of vote. For the sake of strengthening the Federation, these Baloch sensitivities should be addressed. To make Gwadar port functional, Pakistan Navy and Coast Guard lands should be handed to the operator. The Port Master Plan should be strictly adhered to. And, completion of Gwadar-Rato Dero Road by 2010 must be ensured. For the first few years the government will have to provide inducement for import of bulk cargo at Gwadar, and live up to its commitments. Let us not kill the goose; we cannot get the golden eggs if we do so.
Let us remember that no port can function without a commercial hinterland attached to it with requisite infrastructure for domestic and transit cargo. Land bank is a must for Gwadar, KPT has 4,000 acres; Port Qasim has 10,000 acres and Gwadar needs 30,000 heactares. And, just like any other port Gwadar needs road and rail connectivity.
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