Ok you built an airport and power plant.
No industry in Pakistan is mad enough to send goods all the way to Gwadar in far end of Balochistan. They will all still prefer Karachi port.
They already are using it...
China wants to set up Industrial park in the middle of nowhere? The local population will not have the skill.
China will have to import labour, Import Machinery.
to support an industrial park an ancillary industry will be needed. Hotels will have to be built for business guests.
Chabahar already has these facilities.
Which ones ? Yes there is an airport in Gwadar (another new airport being constructed)...yes it is conected to Motorways and Indus National Highway... and yes hotels are there... so is labour... even skilled labour (if not available) can be sorted out from other parts of the country specially bordering province of sindh.
"
ISLAMABAD: The government disclosed on Thursday that the financing and development of Gwadar International Airport had been “taken over by China” and that the Civil Aviation Authority would not be involved with the process.
In addition, the controversy over the change in the route of the $35 million Pak-China Economic Corridor deepened as government officials continued to contradict each other over the reasons for the change.
Planning and Development Secretary Hassan Nawaz Tarar told a Senate committee that a special board had been established to oversee the construction of Gwadar airport. Pakistan People’s Party Senator Fateh Mohammad Hassani alleged that land for the airport — worth Rs100 million — had been purchased at Rs1.5 billion.
The government has already handed over the development and operations side of the Gwadar Deep Sea Port to China, after withdrawing the rights originally granted to Singapore.
Change of route: A number of senators walked out of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue meeting over what they termed “the conflicting statements of federal ministers and secretaries about the route of the multi-billion dollar project”.
The government currently favours the Gwadar-Karachi-Lahore route, also known as the ‘eastern route’; whereas opposition members preferred the original ‘western route’ of Gwadar-Dera Ghazi Khan-Dera Ismail Khan.
The former, they said, bypassed “Pakhtun and Baloch areas” and demanded that the original route be restored.
On Wednesday, Tarar told the committee that a proposal to change the route was being considered at the request of the Chinese. But at Thursday’s meeting, he said the original route was never discussed with the Chinese at any stage.
His statement was contradicted by the additional secretary for communications, who told the committee that both route options had been shared with the Chinese, who showed a greater interest in the eastern route.
This led certain senators, led by the Awami National Party’s Haji Ilyas Bilour, to deplore the contradictory statements coming from government officials and alleged that Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal had ‘misled’ the committee. Mr Iqbal had told the committee on Wednesday that both routes were considered, but the government opted for the eastern route because it was possible to develop most of it on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, without too much external financial assistance. Developing the western route, he had said, would require heavy borrowing, which the country could not afford.
Former finance minister Saleem H Mandviwala said that he had met the Chinese ambassador, who said his government had no role in the change of route and were fine with whichever route was chosen as long as Pakistan could guarantee its security.
Sardar Hassani demanded that the western route be reinstated, a view supported by a majority of members.
Mr Iqbal later told journalists that the route for the corridor had not been changed; rather both options were always part of the plan. He added that the western route was not viable at this stage because parts of it could not be developed on a BOT basis.
Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2014
Another Hotel Pearl Continental:
Gwadar is just a back-up route for Chinese oil supply.
Chabahar is set to be West Asia's pivotal port of trade.
Gwadar Port – a lifeline for regional economic link
By
Zafar Bhutta
Published: June 23, 2014
ISLAMABAD: Over the years, there have been much more stress on connecting regional countries through road, rail and pipelines in order to defeat the threat of global economic recession. European countries followed this model by laying a gas pipeline from Russia to meet their energy needs and support the economy despite US pressure.
In the same way, the US wants to link Asian countries including Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India through a gas pipeline and power transmission lines originating from Turkmenistan.
This runs contrary to the Gwadar Port plan that will connect Pakistan to regional states in a way that does not suit US and Indian interests.
Gwadar Port, situated in Balochistan, will create a nexus between Pakistan, Iran, China and Central Asian States that will generate billions of dollars in revenues.
Earlier, the US played a key role during Pervez Musharraf’s government in handing over the development of Gwadar Port to the Port Authority of Singapore (PAS), denying China a chance to run a warm water, deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea
just opposite the Gulf of Oman, an important route for oil tankers going from the Gulf to Japan and western countries.
The port can serve as a gateway to the Strait of Hormuz and can compete with UAE ports by improving existing links to the Caspian region and providing a better trade route to the landlocked region.
According to Arthur D Little, the main consulting firm for Gwadar’s development, the port is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenues and create at least two million jobs.
The handover of port operations to PAS did not only hold back planned multi-billion-dollar investments by China, but PAS also failed to make the port operational, causing a loss of billions of dollars in port and cargo handling charges as well as freight on import and export of goods.
Later, the control of Gwadar Port was given to China and an agreement was signed with China Overseas Ports Holding Company on May 16, 2013 to transfer operational rights from PAS.
Energy projects
After taking over, China decided to revive its investment plan and make massive capital injection into expansion of the port and energy projects.
Under the Early Harvest Programme, China will pump $50 billion up to 2017 into a host of projects including coal, solar and wind energy units.
An investment of $35 billion is anticipated in energy schemes, which will generate 23,000 megawatts. Lahore-Karachi Motorway, expansion of Gwadar Port and integrated infrastructure development in Gwadar will bring further investment of $11 billion.
The development of Gwadar Port could provide some relief to the under-developed Balochistan, where the ranks of unemployed are increasing in the absence of infrastructure development, sparking unrest in the region.
Balochistan is the first major gas producing province, but despite that it is a deprived region where poverty runs high and several areas are denied access to gas.
Many countries are eying the province, which is rich in oil, gas, copper and gold reserves and has an important geopolitical position. Of the planned Chinese investment, Balochistan has a share of 38%, aimed at generating economic activities including infrastructure development, creating jobs for the locals and bringing an end to anti-state activities.
For importers, the Gwadar Port will help save millions of dollars in demurrage cost. At present, oil suppliers and other companies have to pay hefty demurrage charges to shipping companies as ships have to wait for several days before getting a berth due to port congestion.
Iranian investment
After the Chinese came to Gwadar, Iran unveiled plans to set up the world’s largest oil refinery with capacity of 400,000 barrels per day at a cost of $8 billion. It also expressed interest in establishing power plants at the port.
However, the US pressure against the Iran-Pakistan pipeline stalled the refinery project, which could have met not only Pakistan’s oil needs, but also provided the surplus for export to China.
According to officials, China meets 50% of its oil demand from the Middle East, from where the supply line to China travels over 10,000 km through the Dubai-Shanghai-Urumqi route.
On the contrary, the crude oil processed and refined at the Gwadar oil refinery can be exported to China through the shortest possible route – Dubai-Gwadar-Urumqi – spanning about 3,600 km. For this, an oil pipeline has been proposed through the energy corridor up to western China via Karakoram Highway and Khunjrab Bypass.
As part of the Pak-China Economic Corridor that will turn Pakistan into a hub of regional cooperation, the Gwadar Port will be connected through road, rail and fibre links to China to enhance trade between the two countries. Oil and gas pipelines are also part of the corridor over the long run, which will boost economic activities in Balochistan, officials say.
So far, work on the port has been slow because of poor condition of roads. This underlines the need for the government to lay railway tracks from Gwadar to other ports of the country, which will save freight and encourage importers to bring cargoes through Gwadar.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2014.
Thousands surrendering means thousands more could be active.
Yes im sure you know more about the situation than a local? the total number of miltants is less than 1500...
No company sets up a unit in a potential war zone.
Are you really tht retarded? gwadar is a peaceful area... gwadar,lesbela etc were the first Baluch states to ceed to Pakistan in 1947 !!
As for sistan baluchistan.. yes im sure jaish al adl and baluch seperatists and other secterian outlets agree with you.. just a month ago they kidnapped 20 iranian soldiers...
I do not read urdu/arabic so kindly translate the document you have posted.
You just have to "google" ... it isnt tht hard .. trust me.
I don't think every person residing in Balochistan wants a separate country. Majority of the Baloch people do. ( Hope this is not going off-thread).
Majority of people wanted autonomy and recognition of rights ... can you "comprehend" that? and only a few tribes opposed the govt.... even they are now talking n negotiating with the govt... even Bugtis are now sitting in the govt...
Apart from that dozens of thousands of youth have joined the army in just a few years...
Balochistan: One More Step Towards National Integration
With regard to the recruitment in the Armed Forces, there have been adequate vacancies, but less number of Baloch youth preferred this profession, mainly because of illiteracy and ignorance. Resultantly, there has been less representation of the Baloch youth in the Armed Forces of Pakistan. In order to create awareness among the Baloch youth about the military, and subsequently choosing it as their profession, over the past few years, the Armed Forces have started a massive awareness campaign and concession package all over the province. To the level of Pak Army, this campaign met overwhelming successes. Thousands of the Baloch youth appeared for the recruitment in various Army recruitment centres. 4,000 Baloch recruits of this colossal recruitment campaign have completed their basic military training on October 29, 2010 and joined various units of Pak Army as soldiers. Induction of these soldiers in such strength is indeed a historical occasion for their families and province. Besides, 10,000 Baloch recruits still undergoing basic military training in various training institutions are likely to pass out in the near future.
More than anything, this bulk induction of the soldiers from the far-flung and remote areas of the Balochistan is matter of pride for their families, the province, and Pak Army too. However, the major reward of this decision of massive recruitment followed by successful training of the Baloch youth goes to Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who conceived and implemented this unparalleled idea. Indeed, he is a man of wisdom and farsightedness. Under his dynamic command, Pak Army is touching the heights of professionalism and national service. It is for the first time that passing out parade of Baloch soldiers held simultaneously at Quetta, Khuzdar, Sibbi, Sui, and Zhob. Governor Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, alongwith Chief Minister and Commander Southern Command was the chief guest of the parade in Quetta. Most of the provincial ministers and notables of the province attended the ceremony. The event was widely appreciated by the people of Balochistan. While emphasizing on the need of promoting the national harmony against the global conspiracies, the Chief Guest (Governor Balochistan) said, "Induction of Baloch youth into the army would help improve socio-economic conditions of the province which had been ignored in the past".
The Governor appreciated the efforts of Pak Army for this massive recruitment, and provision of quality training to the Baloch youth and hoped that, "induction of thousands of Baloch youths into the army would bring about positive changes in the province". Indeed, it was a great moment for the province to see its youths becoming part of the Army. These youths have received training, which will enable them to meet internal and external challenges faced by the nation. The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Nawab Aslam Raisani stressed on the newly inducted recruits to, "sustain the trend to strengthen the federation and frustrate the evil designs of enemies of the country."
On the eve of this bulk passing out parade of Baloch soldiers, Pak Army announced to convert its cantonment at Sui as the Education City for the youth of the Province. Induction of this substantial number of the recruits in Pak Army is in fact the continuation of its drive for the promotion of national integration. Previously also, a large number of youth from various parts of Balochistan, Sindh, FATA, and other remote areas of the country were inducted into Pak Army. Indeed, Pak Army has worked out a strategy to induct the youth from each district of the country, thus giving them equal opportunities to grow in this profession. This is a great step forward to bring the people from all over the country at one platform without discrimination. Currently, various units of the Pak Army are massively engaged in the developmental projects in the remote areas of Balochistan, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. For the safety, security and the comfort of the people of Pakistan, the valiant sons of Pak Army have given sacrifices of over 3000 men and officers during the ongoing anti-terror drive. They are committed to defend their motherland and their people at all costs.
Another significant step taken by Pak Army is the promotion of education in the remote areas of the country. Local Army units have been assigned by the COAS to arrange educational classes for the children of poor people who cannot afford the heavy expenses of imparting the education to their kids. In many cases, Pak Army bears the expenditures of the children locally as well as studying elsewhere. Many youths from various parts of FATA, KPK, Balochistan and other remote areas are being educated in public schools and academies running under Pak Army throughout the country. Their boarding, lodging and tuition fee is borne by Pak Army from its own resources. This indeed is a great service Pak Army imparting for the better future of the people of Pakistan.
Alongwith the security of the geographical and ideological boundaries of the country, the other significant lesson taught to a soldier in his basic military training is the national integration. During the peacetime and while dealing with the internal disturbances, Armed Forces of Pakistan have always maintained this spirit of national service. They consider it as part of their duty to maintain the national integration and public service. In the recent past, Armed Forces of Pakistan have bravely fought against the terrorists and freed the people and areas under them. They were first to provide rescue and relief services during Earthquake - 2005 and devastating floods in 2010. Filled with the spirit of national service, these soldiers donated a portion of their salaries for the affected people. They distributed rations to these people out of their own authorised scales. In the same way, men in uniform have made their utmost effort to serve the nation and promote national integration among them.
The process of national integration indeed includes; achieving national cohesion, stability, prosperity, strength, and feelings of being united as a nation. Unfortunately, in its history, Pakistan has faced varying degrees of religious, ethnic, linguistic, and political problems that are often in conflict with our national interest. This aspect needs a very serious attention at all levels. On the footsteps of Pak Army, if other federal institutions also provide job opportunities to the poor youth of Balochistan, the grievances of the Baloch people would be redressed largely.
In summary, I must say that, 'where there is a will, there is a way'. Pak Army achieved what it strived for with sincerity and the will to do that. Sincerity of approach is essential factor at all levels. As a nation, there is a need that we "strengthen our political system and institutions, develop a dynamic and sustainable growth, eradicate corruption, provide timely justice, enhance employment, undertake steps for population control, seek consensus based political solutions, and resolve ethnic, sectarian and religious fault lines. We may not keep waiting for heavens and others to reduce our plight; we will have to do it by ourselves.
Some initiatives by the army:
PAKISTAN ARMY’S CONTRIBUTIONS IN DEVELOPMENT OF BALUCHISTAN
Area wise largest province of Pakistan is Baluchistan these days is suffering from political and law & order instability. The land of Balochistan is very fertile and full of natural resources but population vise it’s the smallest providence of Pakistan. The instability of Balochistan causes destruction to Baloch people as well as to the whole nation and their interests are at risk. Recently Pakistan Army is playing most important role in development of Balochistan and trying to console the local people of Balochistan by providing them education, job opportunities, giving them technical training, broadening their views, improving law and order situation and is doing great efforts bring peace and stability in Balochistan.
Pakistan Army is also working very hard to improve literacy rate in Balochistan, for that purpose many school have been modernize by Army in Balochistan, as well as Pakistan Army is motivating Baloch students to get admission in Army schools and cadet colleges by giving them special relaxations. Pakistan Army is running so many formal and technical educational institutions in Balochistan. Free hostel facilities are given to Marri and Luni tribes’ student’s to promote education and bring awareness by Pakistan Army. Pakistan army understand that more Baloch youth into Pakistan army means more employment, more nationalism, less association with rebellions and anti state fundamentals, that’s why Pakistan Army always welcome Baloch youth in Pakistan.
Pakistan Army had set up a variety of technical institutes in Balochistan in cooperation with National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC). Army school of technicians (AST) is offering skill development training programs to jobless youth of Balochistan. The role of Army School of Technicians (AST) and Balochistan Institute of Technical Education (BITE) is remarkable; they have given technical training to thousands of Baloch students. Now via technical education these trained students are earning the livelihood. Pakistan Army is providing formal and technical education to both male and female students and polishing their skills and enhancing their knowledge. Short courses giving training of carpenters, welders, home appliance mechanic and auto car mechanic are offered to male students. Different computer courses, beautician & embroidery courses are offered to women keeping their interests in view.
Pakistan Army is providing better health facilities to Baloch people. Pakistan Army has established free medical camps in different areas of Balochistan. Medical, food and shelter assistance is afforded by Pakistan Army to different natural disasters like earthquake and flood affected areas. Pakistan Army has started many long term development projects in Balochistan; some have been completed while others are still in under progress, after the loyal contribution of Pakistan Army, Balochistan is having rapid social and economic development.
....
Area wise largest province of Pakistan is Baluchistan these days is suffering from political and law & order instability. The land of Balochistan is very fertile and full of natural resources but population vise it’s the smallest providence of Pakistan. The instability of Balochistan causes destruction to Baloch people as well as to the whole nation and their interests are at risk. Recently Pakistan Army is playing most important role in development of Balochistan and trying to console the local people of Balochistan by providing them education, job opportunities, giving them technical training, broadening their views, improving law and order situation and is doing great efforts bring peace and stability in Balochistan.
