Gawadar becomes functional

…and brings new developments to light

Convoys of trucks laden with hundreds of containers carrying Chinese cargo reached Gawadar covering a distance of over 2,500 KM from Pak-China border post at Sost. For the first time Gwadar turned into a port exporting cargo containers to overseas destinations. That the convoys reached their destination safe and sound indicates that security arrangements on the CPEC route are in good shape. This will send a positive signal to the world. The Sost-Gawadar route would provide Pakistani exporters a cheaper and more secure access to China and an alternate passage for their goods meant for the Middle East and Africa.

It was highly appropriate to hold a ceremony in Gawadar to celebrate the historic event. The function was addressed by the Prime Minister and was attended by COAS, some of the federal ministers, the Governor and Chief Minister Balochistan and a number of foreign envoys. The Prime Minster reiterated in his address that the CPEC would benefit the entire country. At several occasions in the past also Nawaz Sharif has tried to dispel the notion that the project would benefit mostly Punjab. There was a need at this historic moment to ensure the presence of the CMs of all the provinces at the celebrations as was done by Yousuf Raza Gilani at the signing ceremony of the 17^th NFC award in Gawadar in 2009.

Full information about mega projects which impact the entire federation needs to be shared with the federal units. In case this is avoided the projects can give birth to alienation. The secrecy and vagueness maintained about the CPEC has caused suspicions among smaller provinces. A perception has been formed that it is being used to strengthen the PML-N’s constituency in Punjab to help the party win the next elections. While the CPEC has roused hopes that it would help bridge the power shortfall and transform the country’s economy, it has also triggered concerns that the local people in smaller provinces might be left out of the gains.