GWADAR: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday urged the people of Balochistan, especially the you­­th, to seize the historic dev­elopment opportunities in their province, emphasising that de­­tractors of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would soon lose relevance.

He made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony of Pak-China Friendship Hos­pi­tal and Gwadar Seawater Desali­nation Plant. PM Kakar said that the CPEC journey would move forward, so joining the development course would be a prudent decision.

“Those who think to change the course [of CPEC] by force, violence or any other means are committing historic blunder, as their relevance will be over very soon. The prudent decision in the nation’s fate is to join the course of development, instead of resist it and miss the opportunity,” he remarked.

The ceremony was attended by federal ministers Sami Sae­ed and Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Balochistan caretaker Chief Minister Mir Ali Mardan Dom­ki, Chinese ambassador in Pak­i­­­stan Jiang Zaidong and Chi­nese and Pakistani officials.

Inaugurates 150-bed hospital and seawater desalination plant in Gwadar

The prime minister said that the reduced travel durations across the province were a dir­ect result of CPEC intervention.

He told the gathering that trade worth $36 trillion was expected in and around China in the nuear future. Therefore, he stressed the importance of joining the journey through skill development rather than showing hostility.

He said China’s modernisation journey was significant and steering millions out of poverty was unprecedented. The prime minister emphasised the positive regional impact of China’s development, particularly on Pakistan and Balochistan province.

He said the clean drinking water had been an issue in Gw­­a­­dar, and the desalination pla­nt project would address it to a great extent. Besides, the construction of a 150-bed hospital would provide quality healthcare to the people, he added.

Expressing gratitude to the Chinese ambassador for the solar power project and emergency services in Quetta, PM Kakar assured full support from federal and provincial governments regarding security. He reiterated the commitment of Pakistan Army, police, and law enforcement agencies to safeguard Chinese workers, even at the risk of their lives.

He directed the authorities concerned to connect North­ern Zone with main grid to address the electricity issue.

Earlier, the prime minister, along with the Chinese ambassador and Balochistan chief minister unveiled the plaques to inaugurate the projects, followed by the presentation of souvenirs to the prime minister and the envoy.

PM Kakar, speaking to re­­porters on the occasion, stated that the trajectory of Balo­ch­is­tan’s progress had been established, and expressed confidence that the province would witness a new era of development.

The prime minister expres­sed hope that the financial crunch would be over with the steps taken by the interim government. Responding to a question about funds allocated for flood-hit areas, he mentioned that the world was ready to provide billions of dollars, but it depended on how Pakistan could secure climate financing.

In his address, Chinese am­­bassador Zaidong congratula­ted the people of Balochistan on the inauguration of the des­a­­lination plant and hospital, saying both projects are exp­ected to uplift the living standards of the people of Gwadar.

He expressed hope that both countries would continue stre­n­gthening their cooperation for the next phase of CPEC.

Chief Minister Domki said the projects were another example of Pak-China friendship as they would provide quality healthcare facilities and around 500,000 gallons drinking water per day.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2023