Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Suleman Hashim
Gwadar: China Overseas Port Handling Company (COPHC) has failed to functionalize Gwadar port. New deals have greatly affected trading activities of Gwadar port, the leadership of All Gwadar Shipping and Clearing Agents Association expressed their concerns in a press conference at Gwadar press club on Friday.
President of All Gwadar Shipping and Clearing Agents Association(GSCAA), Abdul Raheem Zafar, along with general secretary engineer Hameed Baloch, vice president Abdul Wahab Rind and Executive committee member engineer Naveed Baloch held a joint press conference at Gwadar press club.
They said, “There is no special policy for making the Gwadar Port operational even the Special Economic zone notification has not been released yet.”
There is no special policy for making the Gwadar Port operational even the Special Economic zone notification has not been released yet
According to them the new deals have greatly affected trading functions of Gwadar port and the Urea shipment has been shifted to Karachi.
They said that no economic activity and operation at Gwadar left negative impacts in Gwadar and region.
They said that Gwadar 250 Border Trade launching and Afghan Transit should be shifted to Gwadar and rights of trades should be given to local people, who are related to Gwadar port.
They said that no economic activity and operation at Gwadar left negative impacts in Gwadar and region.
“The purpose and function of Gwadar Port remains vague as the ships which anchored to Gwadar Port in past, now they have been shifted to Karachi port and it is feared that there will not be any trade activity at Gwadar port for two years.” They said.
“On the one hand no economic function of Gwadar is affecting local jobs and economy on the other hand the custom revenue which goes to government has also stopped.” Worried President of All Gwadar Shipping and Clearing Agents Association.
They said that enabling the Gwadar port would be the best opportunity for jobs generation for local people.
The leader ship of All Gwadar Shipping and Clearing Agents Association (GSCAA) urged government of Pakistan that Urea fertilizers ships and Afghanistan transit trade should be shifted to Gwadar and all government cargo and products of Balochistan should be imported and exported from Gwadar port.
“The special economic zone notification should be released and these zones must be launched in Jewani to Ormara, Turbat, Panjgour, Khuzdhar, Zohb and other areas. Gwadar to Chahbar railway project work should be started soon.” They emphasized
They said that on Pak Iran Border 250 Mand and Panjgour a Zero Point should be announced officially.
“In the job opportunities of all departments of Gwadar Port the local people must be given first priority.” They said
Staff Report
Published in The Balochistan Point on February 28, 2016
