GWADAR, May 21: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Wednesday that the development of the deep-sea Gwadar Port was a link between East and West that would change the fate of this region as well as the national economy.

Speaking at a public meeting at the site of the Gwadar Deep-Seaport, he said the port would connect Afghanistan and Central Asian States with entire Europe.

“This port will make this area an important junction in the international trade.”

The prime minister was accompanied by Balochistan Governor Abdul Qadir Baloch, Chief Minister Jam Yousuf and Federal Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Mr Jamali said the people of Gwadar were fortunate for having such an international port, which would not only change their fate but also play an important role in bringing about revolutionary changes in the national economy.

He said this area as well as the people had been neglected in the past. However, he added, the development of the seaport would help compensate the feeling of deprivation among the people of this area and help bring about positive changes in their socio-economic status.

Mr Jamali, referring to coming employment opportunities, called upon the youth of the area to equip themselves with modern technologies so that they could meet the demand for highly-skilled labour in various port-related industries.

Referring to complaints made by the area people that outsiders were being given jobs, the prime minister said all those who had been given employment were Pakistanis.

“But as per Balochi tradition, we would not let any person jobless,” he said.

He said that after imparting proper training to the locals they would be provided jobs on priority basis.

In this regard, he said, he had already directed all universities of Balochistan to initiate technical courses to train the youth so that they could get employment as the port project moved towards its completion and other industries developed in the area.

He said for this purpose, scholarships and other facilities would be provided to the youth. He said the federal education minister had informed him that an institution of technology was being established in Gwadar with the support of the Chinese government, which would train the youth of this area.

Besides this, Mr Jamali said, the education ministry would also set up a vocational training institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Manpower where the middle-pass students would be imparted training.

Accepting the demand of District Nazim Babu Gulab about the provision of electricity to the people living in close vicinity of Gwadar, the prime minister announced a grant of Rs120 million for this purpose.

Referring to the legal provision, he said if possible, the daily wage workers of the PTCL and the Pasni Power House would be regularized.

Responding to the welcome address, the prime minister asked the District Government to submit its proposals and recommendations to the government so that their genuine and immediate problems could be resolved.

He assured the people that the government was aware of the problems of the people of this area and everyone would be given his due right. He added that there would be no injustice to anyone.

The prime minister announced that fishermen and farmers of the area would be provided loans on concessionary rates and for this purpose he would consult the finance minister for fixing the rate of the mark-up.

He said the provincial and federal governments were providing every possible assistance for the development of this area and hoped that after the completion of the port, this area would also get developed like other parts of the country.

He said the master plan of Gwadar Deep-Seaport project was transparent and added that whatever was being done in Gwadar was being done for the well-being of the people of this area, the province and the country.

He said neither he nor any member of his cabinet had any plot in Gwadar and they were taking keen interest in the project merely because it was very vital for the country’s economy and for the people of the area.

Balochistan Governor Abdul Qadir Baloch on this occasion said the work on all mega projects like Merani Dam, Kutchi Canal, Saindak Project and Coastal Highway was continuing with galloping pace.

He said the provincial government had requested the federal government to provide road access to connect Gwadar with other parts of Balochistan.

He said all the authorities concerned had been asked to employ local people so that the first and immediate benefit could pass on to the local people.—APP