Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif made a string of promises to the people of Gwadar including the reoslution of their issues pertaining to clean drinking water, electricity and infrastructure while addressing a ceremony in the port city on Friday.

He said this while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the East Bay Express Way that will connect the city to Karachi via the Gwadar National Highway.

The $179 billion worth Gwadar East-Bay Expressway is the main artery of the port through which the entire traffic of the port would flow. The 19km six-lane expressway along with a provision of 30 metres wide railway corridor would connect the port with the Mekran Coastal Highway (N-20) through the 2281 acres of free trade zone of Gwadar Port, according to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority.

“We have conducted aerial inspection of ongoing projects in Gwadar,” said the premier on development work underway in Gawadar.

We have provided solar panels to 3,200 families in Gwadar to adress the energy shortage, said the premier. “We can also ask Iran for electricity to meet Gwadar’s needs in case the situation arises.”

He acknowledged the paucity of clean drinking water and promised to make it accessible. He added that steps would be taken to install desalination plants in the area.

“We have to work on war-footing for the development of Gwadar,” said Shehbaz while highlighting the role of Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo in ensuring development takes place as planned.

He pointed out that the Gwadar airport was yet to be completed. “The Gwadar port has not been dredged for many years.”

Quetta Command and Staff College visit

Earlier, the PM visited the Command and Staff College, Quetta and the monument erected to pay homage to martyrs of Pakistan.

He also addressed officers attending at the college in which he paid tribute to the achievements and sacrifices of the country’s armed forces.