A high level meeting held in Gwadar on February 9 marked a significant step toward advancing the vision of transforming the port city into a modern coastal hub with a strong focus on the blue economy. The discussion took place under the Pathways to a Modern Coastal City of Gwadar initiative and brought together federal and provincial stakeholders to align planning efforts around trade tourism and long term investment.
The meeting was chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and attended by the Chairman of Gwadar Port Authority Noorul Haq Baloch along with senior officials from the Planning Commission Gwadar Development Authority Port Qasim Authority Karachi Port Trust and other relevant institutions. The gathering reflected growing coordination between federal and provincial bodies to accelerate development activities linked to Gwadar’s strategic location along major maritime routes.
Participants reviewed progress on the operationalization of Gwadar Port and discussed broader priorities including coastal tourism blue economy initiatives sustainable water and electricity solutions and job creation for local youth. Emphasis was placed on positioning Gwadar as a premium destination that can support regional trade while also delivering tangible economic benefits to surrounding communities. The idea of declaring Gwadar a tax free zone was also highlighted as a tool to attract investors and encourage industrial activity.
The fisheries sector emerged as a key area of focus with proposals covering aquaculture development establishment of shipyards and improved infrastructure to support value addition. Officials stressed that strengthening fisheries and related industries could help diversify the local economy while supporting livelihoods tied to the coast. These measures are intended to complement port operations and enhance Gwadar’s role in the broader maritime economy.
Tourism development featured prominently in the discussions. Recommendations included the completion of eight pending resort projects under the Balochistan Coastal Development Authority and the preparation of a comprehensive tourism master plan for the province’s coastal belt. Clear land use and zoning frameworks were identified as essential to guide future development and ensure sustainability. The meeting also explored investment opportunities under public private partnership arrangements to mobilize private capital for large scale projects.
In the hospitality sector attention was given to attracting international hotel chains through tax concessions and targeted incentive packages aimed at creating world class resorts. In parallel the water and energy sectors were addressed with instructions for installing additional RO plants in coastal areas ensuring uninterrupted power supply to Gwadar Free Zones and fast tracking power stabilization projects for local communities.
Connectivity and outreach were also part of the agenda with discussions on organizing a Gwadar 2026 roadshow and promoting investment cooperation with partners including China and Saudi Arabia. These efforts are intended to raise Gwadar’s profile internationally and reinforce its role within regional trade and connectivity frameworks.
