Federal Government Unveils Ambitious “Gwadar 2026” Vision to Elevate City to Global Standard
Independent Report
Islamabad / Gwadar, February 10: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal announced a comprehensive strategy to transform Gwadar into a leading hub for trade, the blue economy, and coastal tourism, declaring 2026 as a landmark year for the city. He emphasized that advancing Balochistan’s development is essential for Pakistan’s overall progress and that Gwadar’s growth is now moving from vision to action.
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Chairman Gwadar Port Authority Noor-ul-Haq Baloch has fast-tracked initiatives to establish Gwadar as a sustainable, world-class coastal city. A high-level meeting on the “Pathways to a Modern Coastal City” initiative was held in Islamabad, chaired by Professor Ahsan Iqbal, with participation from federal and provincial stakeholders. Attendees included officials from the Planning Commission, Gwadar Development Authority, Port Qasim Authority, Karachi Port Trust, and other relevant agencies, while Director General Gwadar Development Authority Moeen-ur-Rehman Khan joined via video link.
Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch presented an extensive briefing on port operations, promotion of the blue economy, coastal tourism, sustainable water and energy solutions, youth employment initiatives, tax-free zone designation, fisheries and aquaculture projects, shipyard development, and measures to attract domestic and international investment. He also noted that public input collected last year through a jirga under the RCD Council had informed upcoming Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) plans.
The session reviewed eight ongoing coastal resort projects under the Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, development of a tourism master plan, land-use and zoning strategies, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunities aimed at attracting global hotel chains through tax incentives. In the energy sector, directives were issued for additional RO plants in coastal areas, uninterrupted power for Gwadar Free Zones, and accelerated execution of power projects.
Connectivity enhancements were a major focus, including the Gwadar 2026 Road Show, investment promotion with China and Saudi Arabia, transshipment via Gwadar Port, weekly Islamabad–Gwadar flights, the Nokkundi–Gwadar railway, a feasibility study for the Gwadar–Sohar underwater tunnel, and the initiation of ferry services with Oman.
Industrial and commercial development proposals highlighted high-rise commercial complexes under PPP, the establishment of a shipyard, and cluster-based aquaculture projects in Jiwani. The meeting also prioritized health, education, and security, with plans to make Gwadar University fully functional by 2026 and ensure timely completion of the Gwadar Smart City project.
The session concluded with the formation of a Joint Working Group, led by Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch, tasked with finalizing actionable recommendations to drive Gwadar’s holistic development in the near term.
