Gwadar fishermen bidding for 2,000 motorboat engines kicks off

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced the provision of 200 acres of land for the establishment of a residential colony for the fishermen of Gwadar besides the distribution of 2,000 motorboat engines to help them earn a livelihood.

The prime minister stated this in an interaction with local fishermen at Gwadar Business Centre during his day-long visit to the port city.

The measures were announced in view of the problems faced by the fishermen of Gwadar in the shape of displacement and difficulty in access to the sea that was affecting the fishery sector.

The prime minister said his second visit during a month aimed at holding direct interaction with the fishermen and getting their feedback on issues concerning them.

To ensure merit-based distribution of marine engines among fishermen, he directed the Planning Ministry to define a criterion with a set of parameters at the earliest.

PM Sharif assured the fishermen to address their problems on priority and said the development of the province was “useless” without resolution of the problems of the locals.

He lauded the sacrifices of the local people by braving the challenges during the construction of Gwadar Port, which was a harbinger of their prosperity.

The prime minister said China was a close friend of Pakistan and dismissed the impression that the Chinese projects of development in Pakistan equate with the “East India Company” during the British Raj.