Islamabad, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives, has emphasized the urgent completion of the Gwadar Power Plant, underscoring its critical role in the energy and economic development of the region. During a meeting to assess the project’s progress, the Minister instructed relevant authorities to accelerate construction efforts, reflecting the government’s commitment to bolstering Pakistan’s energy infrastructure.
According to Press Information Department, the meeting drew participation from key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministry, the Managing Director of the Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB), and Commercial Minister Counselor from the Chinese embassy, Mr. Yang Guangyuan. The 300MW coal power project, being developed by M/s CIHC Pak Power Company (Pvt) Limited (CPPCL), is a ‘priority list’ initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is viewed as essential for Gwadar’s development as a major maritime trade hub.
Minister Iqbal highlighted the strategic significance of Gwadar, referring to it as “the gateway of CPEC,” and detailed the government’s efforts to integrate the second phase of CPEC with five new economic corridors. He pointed out the transformative potential of ongoing projects in Gwadar, including the development of Gwadar Port City, New Gwadar International Airport, and East Bay Expressway, in making Gwadar a new smart port city and inducing industrialization in Balochistan.
The meeting underscored that all major CPEC projects in Gwadar, such as the power plant, distribution of 2000 boat engines to fishermen, the Khuzdar-Panjgur Transmission line, and several others, are set to enhance the region’s prominence. Moreover, the Minister remarked on the significant achievements made during the PDM’s tenure in addressing Gwadar’s previously neglected water and electricity needs. Furthermore, he noted that the development funds for Balochistan had been doubled in the budget for 2023-24, signaling a strong commitment to the province’s accelerated development.