QUETTA, June 04(ABC): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday was dismayed at the development lag in Gawadar and vowed to work on “war footings” for the port city.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Gwadar Eastbay Expressway, the prime minister said the Gwadar Airport has not been completed since its foundation back in 2017-18.
The premier lamented that Chinese President Xi Jinping had provided the funds required for the airport, but due to some reasons, it has still not been completed.
The premier said that the electricity transmission lines could not be laid even after many years. “The previous government also did not start the dredging of Gwadar Port,” said PM Shehbaz.
He added that Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has been directed to meet the ministers concerned and complete all the projects on time.
Further, the premier lauded the Chinese government for setting up a desalination plant in Gwadar.
“There might be a reduction in the water reserves. If the plants were installed first at cheaper rates, then every household would have drinking water by now,” said the PM.
PM Shehbaz also said that solar panels are being provided to 3,200 families living in the city. He said that getting electricity from Iran might be a good decision.
The PM further added that the government will provide free engines to the deserving fishermen. The fishermen were given 2,000 engines in the first phase.