-Says considering reaching out to insurgent groups in Balochistan for talks
-Claims India might have used Balochistan insurgents
-Links Pakistan’s future belongs to Gwadar emerging as ‘focal point of development’
-Terms the situation different from the past
-Slams past rulers for not focusing on Balochistan
-Reiterates govt focusing on neglected areas
DM Monitoring
GWADAR: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday performed the groundbreaking of phase two of the Gwadar Free Zone (GFZ) and launched a number of other development and infrastructure projects including an expo centre, agriculture industrial park and three factories.
During a single-day visit to Gwadar, the premier also inaugurated phase one of the GFZ, reviewed the progress on various development projects, and witnessed the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs). He was given a detailed briefing on the progress of the south Balochistan development package in line with the government’s efforts of focusing on the province.
Projects unveiled:
• Gwadar Fertiliser Plant
• Gwadar Animal Vaccine Plant
• Henan Agricultural Industrial Park
• Hengmei Lubricants Plant
• Gwadar Free Zone Phase Two
• Gwadar Expo Centre
MoUs signed:
• Implementation agreement of 1.2 million gallons per day desalination plant
• Solar generators grant from China for south Balochistan
On the occasion, agreements were signed on solarisation and a desalination plant to solve the problems of Gwadar related to water and electricity. In his address at the launching ceremony for the projects, the prime minister lamented that many areas in Pakistan including Balochistan had been left behind in development. He said development plans for Gwadar had been made for some time but the lack of any real implementation was due to common issues such as supply of water, electricity and gas, and connectivity with other areas.
“But in the time we are now seeing ahead, Gwadar is going to become a focal point from which all of Pakistan and especially Balochistan which was left behind in development will benefit,” he added. He said the “future of Gwadar” was being witnessed through the water and energy projects underway as well as the new international airport being constructed there which would connect Gwadar to other areas.
“I reiterate that any country can’t meaningfully develop unless it has inclusive development and all areas develop,” the premier said, adding that the government’s biggest effort now was to develop neglected areas such as former Fata, Balochistan, northern areas and western districts of Punjab.
For Gwadar specifically, the prime minister announced a number of initiatives to promote human development such as a technical college, a hospital, university, cheap loans for farmers and poor households and a programme for uplifting of Gwadar’s fishermen.
Prime Minister Imran said the government was also preparing to better facilitate and service investors through a one-window operation so they would be encouraged to come to free zones and set up plants and industries which could contribute to exports. The increased exports would lead to wealth creation, correction of macroeconomic imbalance and job opportunities once demand for technical staff and trained labour increases, he added.
The premier said he wanted to see increased coordination between the federal and provincial governments to pull off the above steps to create a better atmosphere for investors. He thanked China in particular and said Pakistan stood to benefit from its relations with the country. “Pakistan can benefit from its strategic location and also from the expertise of its friend China, which is becoming an economic power in the region,” he said. Imran further said his office would directly and regularly monitor all progress on development projects in Gwadar on a monthly basis.
Speaking about the security situation, the prime minister said peace in Afghanistan remained a major concern and that the result of any violence or civil war would be felt on Gwadar’s trade with Central Asian states. He said the his government was involved in efforts and had talked to Iran as well to bring the opposing parties in the Afghan conflict towards a political settlement. Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar earlier said the free zone inaugurated by the prime minister in Gwadar’s north was “35 times bigger than the phase 1 industrial zone of Gwadar”.
“This reflects growing interest of Chinese and other investors in Gwadar free zone,” he tweeted.
Mr. Khan said he was mulling over speaking to the insurgents in Balochistan, as the situation in the province had changed, and Pakistan was moving towards a better future.
“But now, the situation has changed,” he said. PM Imran Khan said his sole aim was not only to win the elections but also to develop Balochistan after becoming the prime minister. The premier said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had visited London 24 times, but he never came to Balochistan, while former president Asif Ali Zardari visited Dubai 51 times, but he never had the time to visit Gwadar.
“A person who thinks about Pakistan will think about Balochistan as well, but if a person wants to win elections, they will focus on Faisalabad division, which has more seats in the Parliament than Balochistan,” he said. Pakistan is on its way to becoming a great country, PM Imran Khan said, as he shared his vision for the country’s future.
Situation in Afghanistan: The prime minister said countries in the region had expressed interest in reaping the benefits offered by the Gwadar port. In this scenario, he expressed concern over the law and situation in Afghanistan, which he said, was extremely important for the continuity of development.
“We all want peace and stability to prevail in Afghanistan I spoke to Iran’s president, and I told him that Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries should push for a political settlement in the war-torn nation.”
The premier highlighted that war would hurt Afghanistan the most, he said, adding that a civil war in Afghanistan would also have effects on its neighbouring countries. Highlighting the importance of the Urdu language, the premier lauded Chief Minister Jam Kamal for his “excellent speech”, but lamented that had he delivered it in Urdu, 90% of the population could have understood it better. Prior to his arrival, the premier was given a detailed briefing on the progress of the South Balochistan Development Package in line with the government’s vision of developing Balochistan. On this occasion, various agreements are set to be signed on the solarisation of the area as well as the installation of a desalination plant to solve the problems of Gwadar related to water and electricity.
