Foreign Intreset On Gwadar Port ?
Gwadr Port Importance For Pakistan ?
Why Gwadar Port is not complete Now ?
Which Type of difficulties faced pakistan about gwadar port ?
2. History
In 1783, the Khan of Kalat granted over Gwadar to Taimur Sultan. On 8 September 1958,
Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for $1 million. Development of a deep-
water port along the coast of Baluchistan has been under consideration by the Government
since 1965. Hostile activities in 1965 and 1971, when the only port of Karachi, which catered
for the entire trade of Pakistan, because vulnerable to aggression and was further
supplemented by India’s missile attack on Kemari oil installation area. In 1965, the
government of Pakistan constituted a five member's committee headed by Rear admiral
(Retd) Akbar H. Khan. Technical and financial feasibilities therefore were under taken
resulting in decisions for the development of Gwadar Port by the Govt. of Pakistan. The
Project started on 22 March 2002, is on fast track and will Inshaullah complete in schedule
time i.e. March 2005.
Location
Located at the entrance of the Persian Gulf and about 460 kilometers from Karachi.
Gwadar is located on the western end of coast of Baluchistan and have 600 K m long
coastline along the Mekran coast of the Arabian Sea.
Importance of Gwadar Port for Pakistan
Selection of Gwadar for construction of Deep Sea Port. While carrying out feasibility
study for development of Gwadar port both Karachi and Bin Qasim were also
considered for such development but found not attractive to major shipping agencies
due to remoteness from main shipping routes, limitations of draft and comparatively
long turnaround time. Due to these reasons Gwadar was selected as the site for
3rd commercial port for Pakistan.
Geo-Strategic Importance
Gwadar port is located about 267 NM West of Karachi. Because of its ideal location
at the mouth of gulf and opposite strategic choke points of Strait of Hormuz and Gulf
of Oman the port is visualized to become a regional hub serving incoming and
outgoing commercial traffic of Middle East and Gulf countries. The new port of
Gwadar will supplement Karachi Port and Port Qasim. It will attract transit and trans-
shipment trade from over twenty countries including Sri lanka, Bangladesh, Oman,
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Iran. These countries may open their
warehouses in Gwadar for export of goods and storing of imported goods for later
shipment to their countries.
Access toCARs
. Gwadar Port located in proximity of ArabianGulf and Central Asian Republics provide
it unique opportunity to serve both. Pakistan needs to capitalize on them through
better diplomatic ties with Arab states and CARs. It is therefore anticipated that oil
3. reserves and other resources of CARs would gradually become the focus of world
attention in coming years. However, in case of “exports to and from CARs” a peaceful
and stable Afghanistan is must. The port will also help in promoting trade with Gulf
States possessing 63% of world’s oil reserves and will prove instrumental in promoting
trans-shipment essentially of containerized cargo besides unlocking the development
potential for hinterland. The most important factor that makes Gwadar Port
strategically unique is the location with respect to other major ports in the region, which
are all located on the other side of the sea. Gwadar port being towards north can easily
provide services and facilities to CARs, Afghanistan and China.
Upcoming Fishing Harbor/Industry
Planned fishing harbor/industry linked with this port will facilitate efficient exploitation
of our 960 KM of long coast which would give boost to fish and crab exports and would
promote food processing industries as well. Gwadar could also be a potential source
of gas and oil exploitation. These areas clearly indicate the vast potential which should
be exploited and will help contribute towards national economy.
Instability in Gulf
Gulf region and CARs contain one of the largest oil and gas resources of the world
respectively. Gulf countries in particular, have capitalized on it by constructing major
commercial centers with bulk port facilities. Pakistan, could not cash on this
opportunity earlier due limited resources which Gulf countries did and so have well
established ports these days. Gulf presently is badly exposed to world due instability
in region and in case of blockade of Gulf due to any reason, the Gwadar port would
become more important due to only choice left. Beside this, sour relations of Iran with
western countries and her territorial disputes with Iraq are enough reasons for
international community to opt for Gwadar rather than any Iranian port in
future. Gwadar Port is therefore expected to act as a vital link to China, Afghanistan
and Central Asian Republics throughout the year. Due to these factors Gwadar is
going to be the necessity of major shipping competitors as it is the most efficient route
to Indian Ocean for world markets.
Port Related Facilities
Construction of under mentioned facilities/industries is directly linked with the
construction of Gwadar Port and will provide employment opportunities for its locals
and the region.
Trade pact with Tashkent
Considering importance of trade from CARs vis -a-vis up coming Gwadar port. Govt
of Pakistan (GOP) has very rightly concluded a trade pact with Tashkent. In this
Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to enter into a trilateral transit trade agreement
with Afghanistan to benefit from the Gwadar port facility and land routes. As per the
joint communiqué issued after meeting of reps of both sides on 29-30 Dec 2005, a
‘Joint Ministerial Commission’ has been formed to formulate details/trade quantum and
the modus operandi.
4. Interest of Countries on Gwadar Port
CHINA
Gwadar is the shortest, cheapest and safe oil transport route for
China. Shortestand cheapestroute fortrade with Westerncountries
and West Asia. Balance of power in Arabian sea and Indian ocean
OMAN
Oman, the next door neighbor, is likely to profit most from this
project by capitalizing on the trade from China and the CARs.
Therefore, Oman’s Government is taking a lot of interest in the
project.
Western countries & Russia
Trade with Asia will get free from Russian & Iranian influence.
Russia will not prefer the economic independence of central Asian
countries.Russia It self in try to getwarm waters in a diplomatic way
Afghanistan
Fast and cheap trade favorable for stability of Afghanistan. Central
Asian countries want stability in Afghanistan for fast trade
Singapore
US influence on Malacca. China will get an alternative route. Port
economics of Sri lanka, Malacca (Singapore) and India will get strongly
effected
INDIA
Following threats of India due to Gwadar port. Gwadar will be a boostfor
chains economy which will make china a strong economic power in front
of India. China support for Pakistan navy and establishment of naval air
bases and navel installations in Indian ocean. Block aid by china. fuel/oil
lines under china control