KARACHI: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will prove to be a game changer for the entire region provided that the project is completed and equal opportunities are provided to women, labourers and stakeholders attached to the coastal city of Gwadar, said chairman of the Gwadar Economic Forum (GEF) Mir Naveed Kalmati while speaking at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.

However, it would prove counterproductive if the people of Balochistan were excluded from the process of development, said Mr Kalmati.

Calling the CPEC a “revolutionary development project”, the GEF chairman said there were “misunderstandings regarding the project for which a forum such as ours is needed.”

Formed only a week ago, it was the first press conference held by the forum.

Mr Kalmati, who spoke for most part of the 30-minute presser, said there was a need to apprise international investors about “economic possibilities in Gwadar”. At the same time, he said the forum aims to work as a bridge between the people, government and stakeholders who’d operate from the coastal city.

“The most important part is to involve the residents into the process of upcoming development. Their participation is of utmost importance. Also, it’s after 65 years that Balochistan is witnessing signs of progress and development; we should become a part of it,” he added.

Mr Kalmati said it was necessary to see the CPEC as “a game changer for the region providing strategic power to the country through its largest province.”

The chairman along with other members of the forum reiterated that they hailed from Gwadar and understand prevailing issues from every perspective.

GEF general secretary and Vsh TV CEO Ahmed Iqbal Baloch, said: “Collaboration is needed between different stakeholders.” However, reporters questioned them their motive for preferring Karachi instead of Gwadar to hold the press conference. Answering their queries, Mr Kalmati said they felt it important to hold a presser in the metropolis as it was frequently covered by the international press allowing them to reach out to a larger audience.

Asked whether their thoughts on the project were shared by the people of Gwadar, Mr Baloch said: “We are not working in isolation and understand what is being said by other groups. Their demands and grievances are legitimate but we need to come to a peaceful resolution regarding the project and its impact.”

Mr Kalmati added the media that highlighted “resistance to the CPEC” also needed to equally shed light on the positive aspects of the mega development project.

Published in Dawn October 27th, 2016