ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, reviewed progress on the development of Gwadar Port and the Free Zone during a meeting held in Islamabad on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from various ministries and government departments.
During the meeting, officials provided an update on Gwadar’s connectivity. Currently, partial available to Gwadar via the N-10 Coastal Highway and N-85 (which links Gwadar to Quetta).
It was informed that completion of the M-8 motorway and other critical roads is still pending due to funding constraints.
Minister Iqbal directed that the allocated funds for the M-8 be released in two installments this year and emphasized the urgent need to expedite China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects to improve connectivity to and from Gwadar.
The Minister also instructed relevant departments to resolve land disputes related to the Gwadar Free Zone in accordance with agreements made with the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC).
On the issue of Gwadar’s tax exemption policy, officials explained that under the Finance Act, COPHC and other Free Zone businesses benefit from tax holidays and incentives. However, these companies continue to face turnover tax and import duties.
Minister Iqbal clarified that no turnover tax is applicable in Gwadar and urged the removal of any ambiguities in the tax exemption framework to attract more investment.
Further, Minister Iqbal reviewed ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at improving basic services such as power, water, and sewage in Gwadar.
He directed the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) to complete the pending transmission lines within three months to strengthen Gwadar’s power supply and to submit weekly progress reports to the CPEC Secretariat regarding the electricity situation in the city.
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The Minister also reviewed the progress of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan and the Gwadar Port Master Plan. He noted that the plan, initially developed with Chinese assistance in 2005-06 and formally approved in 2019, is progressing rapidly.
Minister Iqbal emphasized the importance of initiating more public-private partnership (PPP) projects to enhance Gwadar’s attractiveness as an investment hub. He suggested offering additional incentives to encourage private companies to explore opportunities in the region.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Iqbal highlighted the recent completion of Gwadar Airport and stressed the need to boost local economic activity to promote tourism.
He called for the development of a comprehensive roadmap to implement the Gwadar Master Plan over the next three years, ensuring a sustainable and balanced growth model for the city’s development.
