Islamabad: Pakistan’s federal cabinet gave nod to a plan requiring government agencies to divert half of the country’s sugar imports through Gwadar Port. This decision was made public by state-run media on Thursday, reports Arab News.
Gwadar, located on the Arabian Sea in the southwestern province of Balochistan, is rich in natural resources but has been dealing with a long-running separatist conflict. China has invested significantly in the region, including the development of Gwadar, as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major infrastructure and energy initiative that is a key part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road project.
The China Overseas Port Holding Company, which runs Gwadar’s operations, has long-term plans to increase the port’s cargo capacity to as much as 400 million tons per year. The goal is to build 100 berths by 2045, but the port remains underused due to factors like distance from major markets, security challenges, and limited services.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered that 50 per cent of all government-related cargo should pass through Gwadar.
“The federal cabinet approved the directive for all government agencies to ensure 50 percent of imports, including sugar and fertilizer, are handled by Gwadar Port,” said Radio Pakistan after the cabinet’s meeting. “The cabinet also called for an increase in exports through Gwadar in the future.”
To keep track of the progress, a sub-committee will be formed to submit quarterly reports on the port’s import and export activities.
