ISLAMABAD: The Gwadar Smart Prot City Master Plan is expected to be finalized soon which will be submitted to the Cabinet for its final approval, Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar said on Tuesday.

He said that Gwadar port has the potential to improve socio-economic condition of people of the city and Balochistan at large which will connect the region’s land and maritime route thereby benefiting the entire region.

Chairing a Steering Committee meeting on Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan here, the minister underlined that Gwadar Master Plan is a major milestone towards achieving an inclusive and sustainable development of the coastal city.

The Minister pointed out that rights of the local population will be protected and they will be facilitated in every possible manner enabling them to reap benefits from the development of Gwadar.

He stressed that land price speculation also needs to be regulated. Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal, Commander Southern Command Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa, Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, DG FWO Maj.

Gen. Inam Haider Malik, Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy Zhao Li Jian, members Planning Commission, Project Director CPEC Hassan Daud, officials from departments concerned and senior officials of the ministry were present in the meeting.

Project Director China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Hassan Daud and FHDI team briefed the participants about the proposed Master plan.

The minister underscored that Gwadar will be transformed into a developed and smart port city of international standards with effective urban strategies.

He stated that a robust policy is being devised to turn the coastal city into a regional hub of trade and business activities.

The Minister appreciated the work done by Fourth Harbor Design Institute (FHDI) on Gwadar Master Plan noting that earlier recommendations made on land use and policy framework have been incorporated in the proposed plan.

The CM Balochistan said that provincial government is committed to successful implementation of Master Plan.?APP