Inertia over Gwadar Port

Whenever the strategic importance of Pakistan comes under discussion, the potential of Gwadar Port stands out as an important aspect. The focus on the possibilities offered by Gwadar intensified manifold with the break of Soviet Union and the emergence of Central Asian states as independent entities. The landlocked countries are in search of corridors through which they could supply the energy starved world with their much in demand oil and gas merchandise. Gwadar is the most obvious choice. It also provides an alternative to the clogged arteries of communications passing through the bottleneck of Karachi Port. The decision by the Pakistan government in March 2002 to begin development of the Gwadar Port was a timely one. The signing of an agreement with an operating subsidiary of the Port of Singapore Authority in Feb 2007 was a much needed fillip to push forward with the project with the required urgency. It is, however, disappointing to see that the project has lost steam and is marking time in doldrums.
The development of Gwadar Port is a national project that has the bi-partisan support, yet it is disheartening to see that the project appears to have lost its developmental priority for reasons best known to those in command of the affairs of the ports and shipping. With a project of Gwadar’s magnitude, there are bound to be administrative difficulties and given the political will there is no reason why the same can’t be tackled in a reasonable timeframe. There is also a need to take out the bugs, if any, in the contract with the Port of Singapore Authority to ensure that obstacles hindering progress on the Gwadar Port are duly taken care of. The Ministry of the Ports and Shipping has the job cut out for her and needs to shake off its inertia that seems to be the major stumbling block in expeditious development of the Gwadar Port.