Gawadar derives its name from two Balochi words “GWAT” wind and “DAR” door. Gwadar district was created on 1st July 1977. It consists of two sub divisions viz Gwadar and Pasni. It is bounded on the north by Turbat (KECH) and Awaran districts, on the east by Awaran and Lasbela districts, on the south by Arabian Sea and on the west by Iran. Total area of the district is 15,216 sq.km and population is 172,948. The coast line of Gwadar is about 600 kms long.
The area is fast developing into an industrial zone based on fisheries. Three mega projects, Gawadar deep sea port, costal highway and 132 kv electricity line will be completed by December 2003. There are four airports: Gawadar, Jiwani, Pasni and Ormara. There are daily flights between Karachi and these places. Gwadar has two motels, two local hotels and restaurants with basic facilities.
Gwadar Sea Port
The Gwadar deep-sea port emerges as a place of great strategic value, enhancing Pakistan's importance in the whole region, extending from the Persian Gulf through the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and the Far East.Gwadar port is on the Arabian Sea at the mouth of the Gulf through which 30% of the world's daily oil supply passes.
The Gwadar Port was built on a turnkey basis by China and signifies an enlarging Chinese footprint in a critically important area. Gwadar Port became operational in 2008, with the first ship to dock bringing 52000 tonnes of wheat from Canada.
Commercially, it is hoped that the Gwadar Port would generate billions of dollars in revenues and create at least two million jobs.In 2007, the government of Pakistan handed over port operations to PSA Singapore for 25 years, and gave it the status of a Tax Free Port for the following 40 years. The main investors in the project are Pakistani Government and People's Republic of China. China's plan to be engaged in many places along oil and gas roads is evident.
BENEFITS
Besides the Geo-strategic importance mentioned earlier, some of the evident economic benefits of the development of Gwadar Port are;
* Capitalize on opportunities for trade with landlocked Central Asian States and Afghanistan.
* Promote trade and transport with Gulf States.
* Trans-shipment essentially of containerized cargo.
* Unlock the development potential of hinterland.
* Diversion of influx of human resources from up country to Gwadar instead of Karachi.
* Socio economic uplift of the province of Baluchistan.
* Establishment of shipping related industries.
* Oil storage, refinery and petrochemicals
* Export Processing and Industrial Zones
* Reduce congestion & dependency on existing Ports Complex at Karachi/PQA.
* Serve as an alternate port to handle Pakistani trade in case of blockade of existing ports.
* Will become a Regional Hub for major trade and commercial activities.
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