Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed immediate actions to make Gwadar Port fully operational for commercial use, according to Radio Pakistan.
During a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Prime Minister established a committee led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, tasked with collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop the port into a modern and efficient hub.
“The Gwadar Port has the potential to be a key player in the regional economy, and we must expedite its operationalization,” stated PM Shehbaz. He also called for an international conference to raise awareness about the port’s strategic significance.
The meeting highlighted the port’s ability to accommodate ships weighing up to 50,000 deadweight tonnes, which provides vital access to the Persian Gulf and serves as a transshipment hub for Gulf nations. Additionally, the port is expected to contribute significantly to the development of Balochistan’s mining and aquaculture sectors while enhancing trade with China and Central Asia.
Further discussions involved tax exemptions granted to the Gwadar Free Zone, designed to attract investments. The Free Zone’s regulations have also been established to encourage more investors.
PM Shehbaz was briefed on past criminal negligence in dredging operations from 2018 to 2022, which affected the port’s depth. However, dredging work completed in 2022-2023 has restored its capacity. The port now has all necessary utility services, and several public welfare projects, including the Pak-China Friendship Hospital and Gwadar Institute of Technical Education, have been initiated.
The government is also working to improve infrastructure, including a rail link to Pakistan Railways’ Main Line M-4 and the completed Gwadar-Quetta Highway, which has benefited key regions in Balochistan. The construction of the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway is also progressing, with future road projects connecting Nokundi to Mashkhel and Mashkhel to Panjgur.
Minister Iqbal suggested modernizing cargo inspection facilities at the port using artificial intelligence to enhance operational efficiency. The PM reaffirmed the government’s dedication to making Gwadar Port a regional commercial hub and development center.
