PM Shehbaz Sharif reviews development projects in Balochistan and Gwadar

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday afternoon chaired a meeting to review development projects in Balochistan and Gwadar under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

During the meeting, the PM resolved that transforming Balochistan from backwardness into prosperity was his mission.

The PM mentioned that he had ordered an inquiry into the delay in Gwadar breakwater project as authorities had ignored it despite availability of grants.

On his Twitter after the meeting, the PM wrote that US $445million grant, US $484 million soft loan and feasibility were available, but it is mind-baffling as to how the authorities ignored the project.

In a related tweet, he stressed that time for presentation was over as it was time for action.

Earlier, briefing the Prime Minister in the meeting, the Secretary Ministry of Maritime Affairs apprised the prime minister that a breakwater project at the Gwadar Port had to be constructed for which US $445 million grant and US $484 million loan was provided by the Chinese government, but the project ran into snags.

The Prime Minister underlined that due to its location, the Gwadar port was an important and most suitable hub for global trade. He said for this purpose, there should be efficient road and railway infrastructure, adding that through hard work, they would have to move ahead and remove all the deprivation of the province.

The Prime Minister also directed to take all steps to provide for Chinese investment in Gwadar so as to promote exports and provide employment opportunities to the people, especially to the residents of the area.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Miftah Ismail, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Faisal Sabzwari, Minister for Energy Engineer Khurram Dastagir, Minister for Railways and Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique, PM’s special assistant Tariq Fatemi, and other high officials.