Gwadar Port delay flayed in Upper House

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F.P. Report ISLAMABAD: Senators from opposition benches have expressed strong reservations over the delay in functioning the newly established Gwadar Port and urged the government to take practical steps to ensure its proper functioning without any further delay. They accused that government's coalitional partner MQM was not sincere in the functioning of Gwadar port as Federal Minister for Port and Shipping fears that it's functioning could affect the business of Karachi and Qasim Ports. They urged the government to start construction of roads, hospitals, banks, and other basic necessities in order to attract foreign investment that could help steer out the country from financial crises.

Senator Ismail Buledi of JUI (F) said that Minister for Port and Shipping, Baber Khan Ghouri wan against the proper functioning of Gwadar port as he fear that its functioning could damage the business of Qasim and Karachi ports. He said instead making the port fully functional, government was spending billion of rupees in the construction of civic centers.

Senator Kulsoom Parveen of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) critisizing the government said that incumbent elected government was ignoring the promises it made with Baloch people prior to coming into power. She said government has made tall claims in the establishing and functioning of Gwadar port but no foreign investment could be attracted so far because it was lacking basic facilities of daily life. She said that government should pay its immediate attention towards the proper functioning of Gwadar port. Responding to the questions, State Minister for Port and Shipping Nabeel Gabool rejected the impression that Gwadar port was not sincere in functioning saying that 99% development work has been completed. He said import and export has been started via Gwadar port. He also informed the House that fund allocated for establishment for Civic Center could not be released due to concerns between AGPR office Karachi and Quetta. Nabeel Gabool maintained that Gwadar port was fully functional and it would improve the country's economical situation. Earlier, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghouri informed the House that Gwadar Deep Sea water port project Phase-I including deepening of channels will cost over seventeen billion rupees and the government has allocated eighty-one million rupees in the current financial year for the project.

the frontier post

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