9th meeting of JWG scheduled to be held in coming week

In preparation for the 9th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Gwadar (JWG on Gwadar)
under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an important meeting has been held
here.
The meeting aimed at discussing the implementation of completed, ongoing, and future
projects in Gwadar.
The meeting was chaired by Secretary of the Planning Commission, Dr. Muhammad Tahir
Noor, and was attended by senior officials from various federal ministries, divisions, and
relevant agencies, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro.
Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA), Moeen-ur-Rehman Khan, and
Director General of Operations at the Gwadar Port Authority, Dawood Kalmati, participated
via video link.
The meeting conducted a detailed review of the progress of completed CPEC projects in
Gwadar, the current status of ongoing projects, and proposed future initiatives.
This review aimed to facilitate key decisions and finalize the future roadmap for these projects
during the 9th meeting of the Joint Working Group, scheduled for the coming week.
During the briefing, DG GDA Moeen-ur-Rehman Khan provided detailed insights into the
Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan (2017-2050), its implementation progress, and the future
urban and economic development of Gwadar.

He stated that the hospital, managed by the Indus Hospital & Health Network, is a significant
and valuable gift from China to the people of Gwadar, Makran, and Balochistan, playing a
vital role in providing quality healthcare services to the local population.
During the meeting, DG GDA proposed that the expansion of the Pak-China Friendship
Hospital be included in future CPEC projects.
The proposal envisions increasing the hospital’s capacity to 300 beds, along with the
establishment of a medical college and a nursing college. These proposals aim to provide the
people of Gwadar and Balochistan with medical education and modern healthcare facilities
under one platform.
He further proposed that the development of a modern fish landing jetty, fish harbor, and
boat-building industry at Gwadar’s West Bay/Padi Zir be included in future CPEC projects.
This project aims to equip Gwadar’s fishing industry with modern facilities, create better
business opportunities for local fishermen, promote boat-building, and strengthen the local
economy.
The meeting also deliberated in detail on other key CPEC projects in Gwadar, including
Gwadar Port and Free Zone, New Gwadar International Airport, East Bay Expressway, PakChina Technical and Vocational Institute, water supply and desalination plants, among others.
On this occasion, Director General of Operations at Gwadar Port Authority, Dawood Kalmati,
briefed the meeting on the current operational status of Gwadar Port, Gwadar Free Zone
Phase-I and Phase-II, the Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, and other related
projects. Phase-I of the Gwadar Free Zone has been completed, while development work on
a vast area for Phase-II is ongoing.
The meeting was also informed that the core objective of the ongoing development under
CPEC in Gwadar is not only to promote port and commercial activities but also to equip
Gwadar city with modern urban amenities, healthcare, education, water, employment, and
economic opportunities.
Future allied priorities under CPEC for Gwadar Port include the construction of a breakwater,
dredging of berthing areas and channels, and water supply projects for industries.
During the meeting, all relevant agencies were directed to finalize the latest progress
updates, priorities, and future roadmaps for these projects in preparation for the upcoming
Joint Working Group meeting, so that the pace of Gwadar’s development under CPEC can
be further accelerated.