PM Imran Khan inaugurated Gwadar Free Zone Phase 2 and other development projects during his one-day visit to the port city on Monday (today).
During his visit to Gwadar, PM Imran Khan also inaugurated Expo Center and Agricultural Industrial Park in Gwadar.
Addressing the event, PM Imran Khan stressed that the projects will contribute towards poverty alleviation and will address the issue of underdeveloped areas in Balochistan.
The premier noted that energy and water supplies to the city were underway and will ensure Gwadar’s progress, development and growth in future.
These projects are being established by utilizing 2,200 acres of land and the government is initiating one-window operation facility at Gwadar to facilitate foreign investors in these projects, said PM Imran Khan.
After completion of the International Airport, Gwadar will directly connect with the world, he added.
The event was also attended by Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Balochistan CM Jam Kamal, FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, National Security Advisor Moeed Yousuf and Chairman China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa.
The prime minister also thanked the government of China for launching water and solar projects in Balochsitan.
Addressing the participants, Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong said China was committed to developing the CPEC project.
The envoy reassured that Beijing would provide strong support to Islamabad, both geo-politically and geo-economically.
Meanwhile, expressing his views Chairman CPEC Authority Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa highlighted that Gwadar Port is now ‘completely operational’.
Gwadar’s city master plan has already been approved and a hospital, vocational institute and an international airport are currently being built, he added.
The event also included signing of two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) one for a 1.2 million gallons a day desalination plant worth US$ 13 million for Gwadar and a second one for 3,000 solar systems as part of the southern Balochistan package
Prior to this, PM Imran Khan was briefed on progress of South Balochistan Development Package aimed at socio-economic uplift of province’s underdeveloped areas.