NDC to Approve Gwadar Master Plan in its First Session

ISLAMABAD: According to The News’ report, Prime Minister Imran Khan will hold first National Development Council (NDC) meeting with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and other members  today to get detailed briefing on Gwadar Master Plan and development plan for Balochistan.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar will grant extensive briefing on proposed Gwadar Master Plan.The Commander Southern Command Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa will present plan for development of Balochistan.

The official sources said that the long awaited Gwadar Master Plan would be laid down before the high-powered council with the proposal to declare whole Gwadar district as special economic zone. So far the Planning Commission remained unable to finalise Gwadar Master Plan but things were moving towards advanced stage and chances were bright that the plan would be approved within next a couple of months.

The Ministry of Information Technology has not yet been able to finalise special economic zone for IT Park at the federal capital. There has been difference between National Economic Council (NEC) and National Development Council (NDC) because the NEC is supposed to meet twice in a year to approve and review the annual development outlay and macroeconomic framework.

The council shall set policies and strategies for development and “formulate and tailor policies to achieve accelerated economic growth”. The council shall also be responsible for approving long-term planning in relation to national and regional connectivity. Furthermore, it shall set out guidelines for regional cooperation.