Gwadar Port and CPEC inaugurated officially
From Gwadar Port Baluchistan of Pakistan: Gwadar Port of Pakistan became operational today along with inauguration of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Covering a distance of around 3,000 Km from Xinjiang of westernmost China, first cargo load reached Gwadar Port Balochistan Pakistan through Karakoram Highway (KKH) and cargo was loaded to ships for their final destinations of Europe and Middle East. CPEC route can be considered biggest success of Chinese trade development in 21th century because trade route of China has reduced to 3000km from 12000km to reach doorstep of Middle East and Europe. Chinese cargo was reaching this point of sea via South China sea and this route was over 12,000 Km. Now Chinese goods are reaching Gwadar Port after travelling only 3000km via KKH. Cargo convoy left Kashgar on October 29 and reached Gwadar on October 12, 2016.
Pakistan considers this route known as CPEC as game changer for Pakistan because huge cargo traffic will bring business, trade and industrial activities in Pakistan.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Nawaz Sharif, Chief of Pakistan Army Gen. Raheel Sharif, Chief Minister Balochistan Sanaullah Zehri and Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong inaugurated the event along with their teams.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing the ceremony said that Sunday was (is) a historic day for Pakistan and China. “We gathered here to translate a dream into reality. CPEC is a fusion of Chinese President XI Jinping’s vision of one-region. We will leave no stone un-turned to complete projects under CPEC in time. Goal of peaceful region have been achievable through development. CPEC will bring prosperity in the region”, commented Nawaz.
He was of the view that role of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) was commendable for timely completion of huge project, He stated another development project would be launched in Baluchistan next year with 200 billion pakistani rupees.
“Government has already allocated land for Free Trade Zone in Gawadar. 76 billion Rs have already been invested in Gawadar. CPEC is for entire Pakistan, no city, region to be left out of it”, commented Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong while addressing the ceremony said that arrival of trade convoy at Gwadar port is (was) new beginning of great force.
“We are thankful to Pakistan Army Chief and other army institutions for cooperation. Trade goods will be delivered to other countries from Gwadar port. More than ten thousand youth will get jobs from different projects. There was vital role of FWO in completion of pilot project”, he commented.
Gwadar is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated on the Arabian Sea at Gwadar in Balochistan province of Pakistan.
The port is located 533 km from Karachi, and is approximately 120 km from the Iranian border. It is located 380 km (240 mi) away from Oman. It is also the nearest warm-water seaport to the landlocked Central Asian Republics.
Construction began in June 2016 on the Gwadar Special Economic Zone that will be biggest Economic Zone in South Asia spreading over 2,292 acre of land. In 2015, the port was officially leased to China for 43 years, until 2059.
Defence Minister Kh Asif, Federal minister Ahsan Iqbal ,Hasil Bazenjo, General (R) Nasir Janjua and Moulana Fazal ur Rehman were also present in inaugural ceremony.
