ISLAMABAD: The development of Gwadar Port and the progress on various projects will bring peace, prosperity, and connectivity to the region. Although there are regional and strategic challenges, commitment from China and Pakistan is matchless. This will bring changes to the people across the region. These were the remarks by the panelists speaking on the occasion of the seminar on “Gwadar Port: Latest Developments and Prospects of Shared Prosperity” organised by the Center for BRI and China Studies, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), in collaboration with Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University.
While opening the seminar, Farhat Asif, President of IPDS, said that hosting this vital conversation raised awareness and insight about recent developments in Gwadar, a crown jewel of CPEC and BRI.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director of the Riphah Institute of Public Policy, said that he had also recently visited Gwadar and witnessed the progress.
In his keynote speech, Yang Nuo, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, highlighted the significance of Gwadar Port and the progress made jointly by Pakistan and China on CPEC. He said that the progress on the airport, connectivity, and energy projects is ongoing. Apart from these projects, a significant impact is on the lives of the locals through the clean drinking water plants, hospital, and vocational training institute. Progress on these projects will comprehensively impact people’s lives and bring them prosperity. China and Pakistan are fully committed to building CPEC and progressing for a shared future.
Moreover, Dr. Liaquat Ali Shah, Head of Policy (CPEC) at Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, offered comprehensive information on the latest progress on Gwadar. He mentioned the completed, under-constructed, and planned projects. Dr. Liaquat also highlighted that Gwadar has all the potential to be a smart port city of the world, and there are proposals and action plans in the pipeline to make the vision into reality.
Senator Sitara Ayaz, Secretary-General, International Parliamentarians’ Congress, former special assistant to CM Baluchistan, highlighted her optimism toward the peace and progress in Gwadar. She said that Gwadar is progressing despite the challenges from the region and those naysayers to the long-standing Pakistan-China friendship. Despite these challenges, both Pakistan and China are committed to making development happen. Gwadar is the linchpin of peace and progress in the region. She said that China and Pakistan are also effectively working to promote the climate conditions of Gwadar through massive tree plantations across the region.
In addition, Dr. Inayat Kalim, Associate Professor IR Department at COMSATS University Islamabad, said that four core elements are needed for the development and progress of the country to make the projects in Gwadar a reality. –Agencies
