As the Gwadar port has failed to live up to its ambitions, despite envisioned as the crown jewel of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Pakistani government now wants to revive it by starting trade and transit services to Gulf countries and make it a bridge between Gulf and Central Asia.
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Pakistan has come up with a new plan to make the China-operated Gwadar port relevant.
Despite the imposition of import mandates, the Gwadar port has not lived up to its expectations, handling less than 2 per cent of the country’s cargo.
Pakistan has now decided to expand shipping lines from the port to Gulf countries and introduce ferry services to Gulf countries. The behind the move is to attract shipping and passenger between the Gulf countries and Pakistan to the Gwadar court.
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“The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to enhance regional connectivity, boost maritime trade and position Gwadar as a major hub in the Arabian Sea. We aim to transform Gwadar into a strategic transhipment and logistics centre, benefiting Pakistan and the wider region,” said Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Tuesday, according to Dawn.
The Gwadar port in Balochistan province was intended to be the crown jewel of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), one of the most ambitious components of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the port has not lived up to the promise despite billions of dollars in investments. The lack of commercial feasibility, lack of supporting infrastructure such as roads and electricity, and the security crisis from the Baloch insurgency are some of the reasons for the Gwadar port not living up to the promise.
Pakistan wants Gwadar to link Gulf with Central Asia
Even as the Gwadar port cannot attract cargo and passengers to its own shores, Pakistani government has now planned to make it a bridge between the Gulf countries and Central Asia.
Maritime Affairs Muhammad Chaudhry said that additional shipping lines will be connected to Gwadar to facilitate greater movement of goods between Pakistan and Gulf countries and promote transit trade with Central Asia and the West Asia, according to Dawn.
“The new routes will reduce pressure on existing ports and ensure faster, more efficient cargo handling,” said Chaudhry.
As for the ferry service between Pakistan and Gulf countries, Chaudhry dubbed it the “new lifeline” for the Balochistan province.
“The ferry service will strengthen people-to-people ties, boost tourism and pr