GWADAR: Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has vowed to make Gwadar the ‘Tiger of Pakistan’, saying that all roads to prosperity would lead from this city.
The PM said that it was his mission to improve the living standard of the people of Gwadar. “The deprivation of people of Balochistan would now come to an end,” he said, adding that Gwadar would bring a ray of hope for them.
He also unveiled development package for Gwadar including a university, 300-bed hospital and desalination plant. Addressing a public gathering on Thursday, Prime Minister said, “Gwadar is soon going to experience a new dawn of development and will become the country’s unique small district, having all basic amenities similar to big cities.”
The PM announced a state-of-the-art Gwadar University to equip the natives with contemporary education at their doorsteps.
He said that 50 youths from Gwadar would be sent to China on government expenses to learn Chinese language, in view of their future contribution for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He directed the High Education Commission to allocate seats for the students of Gwadar in the leading universities of country.
He mentioned that the government had already purchased a 500-acre land in Shahabi for the university and an amount of Rs one billion for the purpose would be allocated in the upcoming budget.
Nawaz said that, with assistance of China, a 300-bed modern hospital would be set up in Gwadar. The deserving residents of Gwadar will be issued health cards and they will be eligible to get medical treatment at hospitals anywhere in the country, he added.
He said that there was a shortage of clean drinking water in Gwadar and announced to set up a desalination plant on urgent basis.He said that the plant would clean five million gallons of water daily, which would be supplied to the houses.
Nawaz mentioned that he took an aerial view of Gwadar that showed miserable condition of roads and streets. He announced Rs one billion for infrastructure improvement of the city, including sewerage system and link roads.
The PM said that the lands of Gwadar were now more precious than gold. However, he expressed dissatisfaction that investors, who purchased lands from locals on cheap rates several years back, were now earning billions, while the actual owners were still in shabby conditions.
“The real owners of the lands should also get fruits of progress of this city,” he said, and pledged to devise a strategy as a “remedy to this injustice.”
He announced to soon hold consultations with Balochistan’s Governor, Chief Minister and Chairman District Council to find a solution so as to ensure compensation for the local land owners.
“I am stating this with utmost sincerity and want to take corrective measures for the betterment of you and your coming generations,” he said.Nawaz Sharif said it was a great pleasure to visit Gwadar and meet the brothers and sisters of this city.
He said his mission of development of Gwadar initiated during his first tenure and vowed to make it a best port city.He mentioned that he was the first prime minister who stayed over-night in Gwadar as earlier the leaders neglected this area.
PM said that Gwadar was being linked with the entire country through motorways from Quetta-Hassan Abdal-Mansehra and up to the border of China.
He recalled the inauguration of the 1100-kilometre road of Hoshab and Sohrab, and lauded Frontier Works Organisation for completion of projects. He said that peace had returned to Balochistan, for which the credit went to armed forces, police, local administration and nation.
Nawaz said that construction of roads was significant in paving way for prosperity as they made easy access to school, hospitals and markets.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, in his speech, said that the personal interest of PM Nawaz Sharif to bring a wave of change in Balochistan and the dream of Gwadar’s development would become a reality. He mentioned that the patronage of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was resulting into timely completion of CPEC-related projects.
