Karachi: The development of an industrial and manufacturing zone near Gwadar Port is crucial for its full functionality, stated Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor. Despite operational status since 2007, Gwadar Port has struggled to handle significant cargo volumes compared to other ports such as Karachi and Port Qasim.
Shakoor emphasized the port’s potential to transform regional trade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) if the government moves beyond rhetoric and takes concrete actions. The lack of industrial and commercial infrastructure, coupled with security issues, has impeded Gwadar’s growth as a trade hub.
Security concerns, including attacks on workers and infrastructure by foreign-backed insurgents, have deterred foreign investment and shipping activity. Additionally, delays in CPEC-related projects like roads, railways, and power plants have further hampered development efforts.
Shakoor noted the reluctance of Chinese companies to invest heavily in Gwadar due to unreliable electricity, water, and security. He called for urgent improvements to infrastructure, including the expansion of the Eastbay Expressway and the construction of a dedicated freight corridor to China via the Khunjerab Pass.
Without industries to generate cargo demand, Shakoor warned that Gwadar risks remaining a strategic naval outpost rather than evolving into a thriving commercial hub. He urged the government to establish a robust industrial and manufacturing zone to drive economic activity and attract investment, turning Gwadar into the vibrant trade center it was envisioned to be.