Welcome to the 1st & Only Free Gwadar Discussion Forum. You can post your messages/advertisements, ask questions, discuss topics, and get instant updates about GWADAR. This message board is ONLY for GWADAR related Real Estate and discussions.
*** Rules for Posting ***
1) All valued visitors please, include your name, and contact info while posting the messages/ads. Any reply(s) without proper name(s) will not be entertained.
2) Posts of Personal nature will not be allowed.
3) Direct or Indirect attacks/comments regarding any other Pakistani Real Estate site/forum will not be tolerated.
4) Please, don't abuse the forum, and respect other visitor's posts.
5) We reserve the right to ban any visitor(s) if they are found violating the rules.
6) Dealers please include your complete contact details in the message, and be fair while posting ads/offers.
Monday, 6. September 2010 10:15 AM Thank you for visting GwadarCorner.com Discussion Board. We appreciate your visit.
China is a friend and a strategic partner promoting stability and economic progress in Pakistan, said Chinese President Hu Jintao. While responding to this statement, President Asif Ali Zardari said, “It is our belief that Pakistan can act as a force multiplier for China and we will continue to work towards this end.”
These views were expressed at the time of the president’s fifth five-day visit to China, since assuming presidential office in 2008. He said Pakistan is determined to strengthen relations with its neighbouring country through people-to-people contacts. This visit would enhance bilateral trade and commercial ties between the two countries and reach new heights, as both the countries are partners in the economic growth of the region.
Chinese interest in Pakistan’s economic growth is growing day by day. For instance, in Pakistan there are more than 120 companies and about 10,000 Chinese working in different sectors like mining, energy exploration and infrastructure building.
Energy: The Chinese government reconfirmed to carry out its project of installing two nuclear reactors in Pakistan. China said these projects are in total compliance with all international obligations.
Presently, China and Pakistan are cooperating in civilian nuclear energy. The cooperation is exclusively for peaceful purposes and to accept International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The agreement was signed during the president’s visit last year. The Chinese president and president of Pakistan were present at the signing ceremony of the Sino-Pakistani economic and technological cooperation agreement. The other agreements were in the field of agriculture, health, justice and information.
Zardari met representatives of different sectors, in particular, wind, solar, and renewable energies to seek solutions to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan.
A Chinese firm would invest $10 billion in hydro power projects in Pakistan. The company would build dams in Bunji and Kohala areas. The dams would generate 7,000 megawatts (MW) and 12,000MW, respectively.
In his last visit to China, Zardari emphasised on implementation of all agreements signed between the two countries. It is pertinent to mention that during the last two years of the Pakistan People’s Party government, more than five-dozen new projects have been undertaken and nearly 40 MoUs signed.
Under the Five-Year Programme for trade and economic cooperation 62 projects have been identified, out of which 27 have been launched, 26 are being examined and 12 are being reviewed. Pakistan also offered China access to emirates through Pakistani ports. Pakistan always encourages China to reap maximum benefits from Gwadar Port.
A Chinese firm has finalised a deal with the Pakistan Stone Development Company. China is the largest importer of chromites. The black coloured stone contains around 55 percent steel properties and is used in steel making and steel material for tank making. Chinese investors are showing great interest in Pakistani marble due to its quality and demand in the international market.
Chinese firms have signed agreements to buy 2,000 tonnes of Cotan beige and two grades of Mastung beige quality marble, found in Balochsitan. It is expected that China will become the largest buyer of stone in the coming years.
Another Chinese firm will invest $50 billion in Punjab during the next 10 years. The investment will be done to build a state-of-art industrial city, along with an industrial estate on 100,000 acres.
Trade: In 2009 the total foreign trade of China declined by 13.9 percent but trade value between Pakistan and China declined only 2.9 percent, reaching $6.8 billion. The total export of China declined by 16 percent but reduced by 7.7 percent only with Pakistan, at $5.5 billion. China imported $1.3 billion from Pakistan, showing an increase of 25.3 percent, which was the result of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
China-Pakistan trade in the first five months of this year reached $3.3 billion, up 31 percent. Chinese commerce minister said that bilateral trade could hit $15 billion in 2015.
Hu Jintao said that China had become Pakistan’s second largest trading partner and gave assurance to make steady progress in cooperation with Pakistan in energy, telecom sectors, Neelum-Jhelum project and Pakistan’s telecommunication satellite project.
Pak-China bilateral trade touched $7 billion from $2 billion in 2002. China has granted four types of trade concessions to Pakistan, one-sided, which would help increase Pakistan’s exports to China by $1 to $1.5 billion annually. China would provide duty concessions on tariff lines not covered under Pakistan-China FTA.
The two states signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company in the private sector to promote sale of certified hybrid seeds and other varieties of seeds, which are to be developed according to the soil conditions and environment of Pakistan.
Pakistan and China would cooperate in the fields of water conservation, water resource management, hybrid seed technologies, drip and sprinkling irrigation systems.
During the visit, Zardari also stressed the need to set up railway line and a pipeline from Gwadar to China to connect the two countries. Importance of connectivity through railway link was felt in the recent disruption in the Karakoram Highway due to a landslide that blocked the road transportation.
China said that cooperation for the construction of railway link between the two countries is because China and Pakistan are strategic partners; have a deep traditional friendship cooperating in various fields. The cooperation would not only benefit the two countries but also help regional stability, common development and prosperity and not against any third country.
Zardari said that a road connection with China is one of his ideas to be realised. The travelling time, by sea, from China to Pakistan or Southeast Asia takes months, but by road transportation to Pakistani port, is only 1,100 miles from the Chinese border. The construction of road link with China would surely boost bilateral trade.
Zardari met executives of NORINCO, China’s top arms manufacturer and leaders of Sino Hydro Corporation, the China’s main dam builder and China Petrochemical Corporation, SINOPEC. The president also told Chinese business tycoons that authorities had planned to feed Pakistani grid through hydro, coal, gas, nuclear and renewable energy sources.
MoUs were also signed in the fields of health and Geological Survey of Pakistan and China. An MoU was also signed for cooperation between Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and China Radio International for Urdu service broadcasts in selected Pakistani cities on FM channel with the China Radio International (CRI). China has promised a 50 million yuan grant for new projects to be set up in Pakistan.
Zardari termed Pakistan and China as the joint cornerstone of stability in South Asia. The Chinese prime minister said Pakistan is an important country of the region and fighting war against terrorism made it even more important. The international community should come forward to help Pakistan and make the war on terror a success. He further said we can jointly think about going upward in Asia exploring new markets through Pakistan.
In the next meeting issues will be taken up including currency swap, opening of branches of Chinese banks in Pakistan and relocating industries in the special proposed industrial zones in Pakistan. It was also agreed that the China National Energy Administration would hold discussions with Pakistani authorities to solve Pakistan’s energy problem.
The Chinese PM said his country appreciated Pakistan’s policy of “One China” and assured Zardari that China would continue supporting Pakistan at the UN and multilateral forums, including SAARC and ECO.
Chinese president said that he had instructed his foreign minister to make arrangements for the exchange of youth delegations, cultural and writers’ delegations between the two countries and also increase scholarships for young Pakistanis for studies in China.
China had also offered training programmes in various industrial categories in Pakistan so that the existing gap in skilled labour could be bridged. The concessions were granted after the visit of Chinese vice premier to Pakistan.
President Jintao reiterated commitment of strengthening ties in energy, communications and infrastructure construction. However, he urged Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of Chinese nationals and companies in Pakistan following a spate of kidnappings in recent years.
DR.JAVID IQBAL COMMENTS ON SECURITY RELATED EXERCISE FROM HIGH MOUNTAINS TO SEACOAST
As Kashmir rises in fury and faces massive flexing of state power, a security exercise is unfolding in the neighbourhood from the high peaks in Himalayas closing on the vale down to the seacoast. Somewhere in the path is Chashma, which is linked to the trail. Living a curfew ridden life, recalling Basharat Peer’s Curfewed Night, the hard realties of geopolitics project through news channels on TV, recalling too what way Allama Iqbal said back at the start of 20th century:
Gharan Khab Chini Sambalnay Lagey
Himaliya Kay Chashmay Ubalnay Lagey!
Chinese awake from a slumber deep
Himalayan streams on a date to keep!
Yes Chinese are up and coming, as Zardari gets to China for a bonus, he is met with a bonanza…multiplier on 10%! Father-in-law had worked it out long back. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in foreign office in sixties, ridden with imbalanced security scenario vis a vis India, worked to bring Chinese in the equation. Some say, Manzoor Qadir-Pakistan’s foreign minister before Bhutto conceived it earlier. Manzoor or Zulfikar wouldn’t matter, were the Chinese not equally interested. China like Russia is not exactly a huge land mass with a narrow sea coast and that too, with the cold sea coastline. South China Sea forms a considerable coastline. However what is missing is ready access to warm waters-the energy sea lanes-a subcontinental security plus. Russian bear wearing its communist USSR garb came roaring via Afghanistan to gain access. Americans came in the path riding on the high tide of what is now derisively called-militant Islam! It served a purpose then; it is taken to be a deterrent now, as the civilizational hypothesis comes to fore. Russian bear didn’t burn its fingers only but lost its USSR garb too, as Afghanistan far from taking it to warm waters led it to ‘Glasnost’ and to oblivion as a superpower!
China on the contrary came creeping, not to lord over but provide help, albeit help needed to suit her designs. With diplomatic overtures to Pakistan, heat was turned on Hindi-Chini Bhai Bhai-brothers after all have scores to settle, more often than not seemed to be strategy. Apart from making strides in Aksai Chin, it picked a slice of erstwhile [pre 1947] J&K State, in a border settlement with Pakistan. It came with a proviso to review it, in a final settlement of Kashmir issue, in and when it takes place. It did not translate into making China a stakeholder, nor did it assert any claim. Nevertheless, role of a watcher, even if distant was unmistakable. That is on high mountains, coastline tale has a geopolitical link.
While as Russians wanted to gain access to warm waters by a bloodbath, Chinese got positioned right on the coast on Gwadar. A port used for clandestine subcontinental trade of yore with the Gulf was given a modern hue to accommodate bigger vessels. In the bargain Pakistan’s maritime trade potential was sought to be widened, lessening the stress on overworked Karachi port. The huge works in Gwadar are still on. China in the process has lost many men-victims of insurgency in Balochistan. Pakhtuns in NWFP and Balochis continue to resent their assets passing into official hands. Many Balochis are citizens of gulf too-Oman and UAE, they thrive on clandestine trade. Chinese are bringing new perceptions in subcontinental power equations.
Bhutto’s input in the geopolitical balancing exercise was carried forward by Yahya-perhaps his only positive input was easing Kissinger’s Chinese path via Peshawar. Ever since USA has taken a light view of Pak/China axis to India’s chagrin. Eventually the Karakoram link-up was converted to a viable road, widening Pak/China geopolitical prospects. Pakistan gradually was coming out of insecurities vis a vis India. India’s 1974 Pokharan atomic workout had Bhutto swearing to eat grass but get the bomb. He looped oil rich Libya and others promising to share technology. By the time Pakistan had the technology, Bhutto was out. Zia inherited his China policy and while he took Bhutto to gallows, he ensured to continue where Bhutto had left. Thus the policy became the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, even while Pakistan’s officialdom swore by Pak/USA strategic relationship.
With Chinese push for a rail link on Karakoram, as Zardari visits China, Indian worry is understandable. As if Karakoram to Gwadar link-up were not enough, Chashma falls somewhere close to geopolitical bridge. To the one nuclear reactor already in place, China has been preparing to build two more. As per reports Andrew Small, an expert on Pak/China- a fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, commented "For China, the counter-balancing element of the Pakistan relationship is more important than it was a few years ago,” The deal as weighed by various experts has various aspects:
(a) a "counter-weight" to the partnership between India and the United States, who signed a nuclear power pact in 2008,
(b) rising India, and the India-US factor, China's traditional element of backing Pakistan is back more in play,
(c) little room for Washington to oppose outright the Chashma deal after it sealed its own energy pact with New Delhi,
(d) alienating Pakistan is not in the U.S. interest,
(e) offers Chinese nuclear exporters an opportunity to hone their prowess in building reactors abroad, Chashma helps keep them in the game,
(f) protecting ties with Beijing and Pakistan or risking a diplomatic brawl-a western dilemma
India is already being accused in some quarters of opening the ‘Pandora’s box’ by going whole hog for Indo/USA nuclear deal. This is projected as opening up the provision of more such deals. However Indian plea of having fool proof nuclear safeguards in place, with Pakistan failing to explain the technology transfer, in violation of international safeguard norms has takers too. Pakistan's domestic instability is another concern. China, it is said may not go whole hog in winding up the deal during Zardari’s visit, however as the reports suggest, China is confident it would get over whatever be the international concerns in its expansion plans at Chashma-prime project, which is taken as a national objective. Karakoram rail link, coming down from high Himalayan peaks right upto Arabian Sea in Gwadar, the intensity being shown in developing Chashma has an added geopolitical factor of concern to India- establishing the rail link to Tibet, a technological marvel.
While Indian strategists make out the contradiction, Pakistan sees only concurrence of interests. Indian concerns nevertheless remain. In fact 2010 started with ominous reports of Chinese push in Ladakh. There were musings of J&K Government officials conveying concerns to GoI. Chinese evasiveness in settling the Indo/Chinese border is a known factor in this geopolitical power play. In fact, it predates the communist regime in China. During the British Raj in India, the Chinese displayed a similar attitude, leaving room for a claim, whenever it fitted into Chinese game plan. Strange, it might seem, an un-settled border suits Chinese, much as it served the German interests in 19th and first half of 20th century Europe. The push in Sudetenland on the plea of un-settled German/Czech border turned into prodding the Second World War. Chinese followed the same pattern in 1962. Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru had been warned by Sardar Patel and even his own daughter; Indira Gandhi, who got suspicious of Chinese moves in fifties. Nehru however thought China could be contained, even if it had a few tricks up the sleeve, by his charm offensive. The result was the debacle of 1962.
India of 2010 is not the India of 1962. Post 1962 debacle, defence has assumed the form of genuine investment. And could those versed with that debacle fault the Indian national leadership, down from Indira Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi and her techno-savvy Prime Minister? In 1962, the forward posts did not have the needed logistic support, nor was the training of troops, as precise as it is today. India has learned the hard way that maintaining parity is the best way to secure peace. So, the push is not only in the conventional strategy, but in the nuclear field, too. Concurrently with the news of Chinese push, the defence strategy also made news. An eventuality of twin Pak/China strike highly unlikely though, is very much within the calculating gambit of Indian strategists. Developing a second strike capability, after taking the first one, a frightening scenario has been talked of quite often.
Indian Minister of State for Defence Pallam Raju’s was the first reported reaction on latest Pak/China moves "It is definitely a matter of concern. But we are taking our counter measures and we are doing our own preparation.” China and Pakistan, said the minister were "working closely together and cooperating closely on defence and strategic issues.” More reactions are bound to follow, as geopolitical scenario from high Himalayan peaks to Arabian coast waxes and wanes in phases.
Yaar Zinda, Sohbat Baqi [Reunion is subordinate to survival]
(Feedback at Iqbal_drji6217@yahoo.co.in or javid.iqbal46@gmail.com)
Karachi -”Ship MV "NIRMAL GAUTAM" carrying 43,400 MT Urea has arrived at Gwadar Port and discharging has started immediately.
The above shipment has arrived in response to tender awarded to M/s. Gavilon Fertilizer, LLC on 07-06-2010 for import of 200,000 MT. TCP has already delivered 400,000 MT Urea to NFML for Kharif Crop.
KARACHI: The exploration at Reko Diq in Balochistan is expected to start by the year 2014.
Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) Public Relations Manager Samia Ali Shah said this in a detailed presentation on Reko Diq, at the one-day workshop, “Journalism for sustainable development: Tools and techniques for effective environment reporting” arranged by the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan.
Shah said her company has completed all the basic requirements for exploration including the feasibility of the project.
The Australian copper exploration firm TCC has recently taken over the control of copper exploration site of Balochistan’s Reko Diq area located in the southwestern district of Chaghi, in collaboration with gold exploration company, Barrick Gold Corporation.
Shah disclosed that her company has so far spent $200 million on the project; however, the most important study for such mega projects, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) is yet to be completed. She added that Hagler Bailly Pakistan was carrying out the social and environmental impact assessment, while the public hearing would be held soon.
Talking about the details of the project, she said the Reko Diq field, according to an estimate, has total reserves of 5.9 billion tonnes, out of which 2.2 billion tonnes were of copper and 13 million ounces of gold.
On a question, she replied there were no hints for the presence of uranium in the area or near the site. She informed the company would establish a 700-kilometre long underground pipeline to pump powdered copper from the site to Gwadar port, from where the raw copper would be exported.
She said the company would prefer to provide employment to the locals, whereas after the start of exploration, the company would annually spend $10 million in the area for social uplift and development of community.
TCC EIA Manager Lucas Hekma said the project’s EIA would be completed very soon.
He said a road along the underground pipeline from the copper site to Gwadar would be constructed and it would be ensured that no any archaeological site, farmland or human settlements were affected.
LEAD-Pakistan Programme Development Department Manager Afia Salam and others also spoke on the occasion.
Trade with outside world mainly dependent on sea: Prime Minister attends "Shamsheer-e-Behr IV"
KARACHI (July 13 2010): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said while our government is making sincere and all-out efforts for attaining lasting peace through dialogue and negotiations, it is of equal importance that the armed forces maintain credible deterrence and remain prepared against any aggression against our motherland.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of the Exercise Shamsheer-e-Behr at PNS Jauhar here. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, Air Chief Marshal Rao Suleman Qamar, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah were also present on the occasion. The Prime Minister said he was pleased to know that Shamsheer-e-Behr series of war game has been instituted as a regular feature.
He pointed out that importance of the war games needs no emphasis as they constitute an essential ingredient of military planning. The war games, Gilani added, allow the military commanders to take real stock of new imperatives on ground and undertake critical review of old doctrines and tactics.
He said these exercises also provide a forum to develop new concepts of war fighting through extensive brain storming and meeting the existing and upcoming challenges. The Prime Minister said that as a self-respecting nation we consider no sacrifice too great to secure the ideals of freedom and prosperity of the people. He stated that in spite of resource constraints, the government has the priority to meet requirements of the armed forces.
Gilani said he was glad to note that the exercise Shamsheer-e-Behr IV has been designed on realistic settings and taking into account the emerging realities. He stated that support of the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force for the maritime operations is well articulated in the war games.
The Prime Minister was sure that the lessons learnt from the exercise would be taken note of and further refined to formulate an effective and responsive Naval strategy in the future. He said we are all aware of the importance of the sea for the economic well being of a maritime nation. Gilani said that this is also significant for Pakistan because our trade with the outside world is sea dependent. He stated that Pakistan Navy is fully capable of maintaining our maritime interests.
The Prime Minister also pointed towards its unique geo-strategic location and said that Pakistan considers it an obligation to secure our area of responsibility from all sorts of threats. Gilani said the development of Gwadar Port and Coastal Highway and road network connecting the coastal cities will give impetus to the economic activities and process of development. He assured that government will provide all resources required for safeguarding Pakistan's maritime interests.
Afghans must open Wakhan corridor passes (Broghol, Irshad, Dilisang) to get trade deal
While Kabul is very optimistic about a Trade deal with Pakistan, Islamabad is a bit more cautious. There are several points of contention. Afghanistan should not be allowed any access to the sea unless and until it promoses to open the border passes in the Wakhan corridor which have been lying dormant for decades. The road links between Bharat (aka India) and Afghanistan have been buried, to be resurrected after a comprehensive peace deal has been signed between Bharat and Pakistan and Kashmir resolved. Afghanistan has come to grips that Pakistan will not allow Tata trucks laden with arms rumbling to Afghanistan so that the Bharati agencies in Afghanistan can arm the mercenaries and send them down to Pakistan from the Western borders.
Pakistan on Tuesday once and for all rejected Afghanistan’s demand of opening up its eastern borders to allow the landlocked state to trade with India, dimming prospects of an early agreement on a new transit trade treaty.
“The bone of contention is the language of the new draft agreement, as Afghanistan wants to insert a provision which would keep the door open for talks on the issue of trade with India,” explained an official of the ministry.
Pakistan’s official position on the matter was that the transit trade agreement is strictly between Islamabad and Kabul and that the issue of trade with India is a separate one. Express Tribune
APTTA 2010: Sea routes to Afghans, Central Asian access to Pakistan
The Wakhan corridor should be part of any Trade deal with Paksitan
Wakhian territory should be given back to Pakistan becuase it was illegally handed over to Afghanistan by the British.
Trade across the Wakhan corridor has languished because of neglect and incompetence. This was an essential part of the Silk route. Pakistan must have direct access to Tajiksitan.
Three of the passes the Broghol pass, the Irshad Pass and the Dilisang Pass are in varying levels of disuse. Any trade deal must address the opening of these three passes
'Pakistan, China cornerstone of stability in South Asia'
BEIJING (July 09 2010): President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said that Pakistan and China together were the corner stone of stability in South Asia. He stated this during his meeting with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao. Both the leaders discussed whole gamut of Pakistan-China bilateral relations.
The two leaders reiterated the deep, strong ties between the two countries and vowed to further strengthen in the days ahead. Welcoming President Zardari and his delegation, the Chinese premier said, "This is your 5th visit to China and it demonstrates how much importance you accord to bilateral relations between our two countries."
President Asif Ali Zardari said that China had co-operated a lot during Benazir Bhutto's tenures. This time the PPP is again in power and Pakistan expects the same co-operation from China to help resolve the challenges the country is facing, he said.
The Chinese Prime Minister said that the 60th anniversary of Pak-China relations would be celebrated in cordial atmosphere. About the importance of geo-political position of Pakistan in the region, he said, Pakistan is an important country of the region and fighting the war against terrorism. The international community, he said, should come forward to help Pakistan and make its fight against terror a success.
Recalling his last visit to Pakistan, the Chinese premier said the people of Pakistan had accorded him a warm welcome. He expressed the desire to visit Pakistan soon. He said that both Pakistan and China would work together to bring the situation in Attaabad lake in Hunza to normal.
Zardari said that Pakistan wants connectivity to China through road link, oil pipeline and optic fibre. He said that Pakistan desires that China should take maximum benefits from Gwadar Port. "We can jointly think about reaching upward in Asia exploring those markets through Pakistan," he said.
The Chinese premier said, "I know you take more interest in construction of highways that can improve connectivity between the two countries." The President was accompanied by his two daughters, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and members of his entourage. The president introduced members of his delegation to the Chinese premier. Pakistan ambassador to China Masood Khan was also present during the meeting.
Putting the Silk road on rails will be seminal event and transformative event which will fundamentally change the geography of the border between Pakistan and China. The Trans-Karakoram Rail line has moved beyond the feasibility stage and has now moved to the phase of “rubber meets the road”. The last time the Pakistani Rail officials visited China they were astounded by the amount of research the Chinese side had done on the project. The plan was originally proposed in 2004 and there has been tremendous progress on this line.
Not only will the rail line link Pakistan and China, it will also be expanded and will ink up Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and the other Central Asia Republics, hooking up the Asia Rialway which reaches Europe.
The 700 km rail link has been planned between Kashgar in China and Havelian in Pakistan across the Karakoram mountain ranges and the 4000 metre high Khunjareb pass in Pakistan.
During the 1970s, it built the Karakoram highway between Xinjiang and northern Pakistan.
Then, the railroad that connected the rest of China to TIbet’s capital city Lhasa. China now wants to extend this railroad right up to Nepal.
And now, the 700 km rail link from Kashgar in Xinjiang province to Havelian near Rawalpindi in northern Pakistan through Karakoram in Pakistan
After completing Havelian-Khunjerab track, China would link with Pakistan’s Gawadar Port.
This rail line is not the only one being planned. Rail lines are also being built to Dushambe and to Ferghana. The Turks, Iranians and the Pakistanis are also linking up Islamabad to Ankara via Tehran. Pakistani goods can thus travel to Europe without any hindrance, and Chinese and Central Asian goods can travel down to the warm waters of the Arabian sea.
The Chinese plans, according to reports, is to build the rail link to Pakistan and reach the Arabian sea through the Gilgit-Baltistan region in. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a feasibility study on building the Karakoram railway line is expected to be signed between Beijing and Islamabad during President Asif Ali Zardari’s current, ongoing visit to China. Pakistan’s General Manager Railways (operation) Ishfaq Khattak has joined Mr Zardari’s delegation and is expected to be a key player in this fantastic venture.
The pre-feasibility study has already been completed by two international consulting companies. The 628 km railway track is would connect all major cities on the Pakistani side, thus the rail line would hook up Kashgar to Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Sarghoda, Faisalabad, Karachi and of course Gwader. An international consortium would be working on the line.
Bharat is of course chagrined. Delhi’s concerns have all been ignored by the two countries.
The ever growing friendship and cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad is now once agian reaching new heights. The plan to build the rail link follows the Sino-Pakistan Civilian Nuclear deal.
Russia is also bulding roads and rial systems connecting Dushambe and Ferghana with Islamabad.
Karachi—The much needed Iran Gas Pipeline project seems to be in hot waters international pressures and the UN sanctions against Iran it is learnt.
If the project fails to materialize the government is considering to set up an LNG Terminal at Gwadar port as an alternative to Iran gas pipeline project which is being considered as the savior in the persisting energy crisis in the country.
Meanwhile Naim Sharafat, MD SSGC in a briefing to the members of the Senate Committee on Wednesday has said an LNG terminal will be set up in Gwadar to allow re-gasified LNG to the system if Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project is hampered due to sanction on Tehran.
It may be mentioned that the Senate Standing Committee for Petroleum and Natural Resources was given a comprehensive presentation on the status of the Iran-Pakistan Pipeline project by the officials of Interstate Gas Systems. This was the first Senate Committee meeting held at SSGC since Iran and Pakistan inked the historic agreement.
Iranian, Pakistani Officials Discuss Energy Cooperation
TEHRAN (FNA)- Tehran's Ambassador to Islamabad Mashallah Shakeri and Pakistani Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf discussed power exports to Pakistan
Based on the decision made between the two sides, the Pakistani minister will pay an official visit to Iran in August in a bid to sign an agreement on supplying electricity to Pakistan.
The Islamic republic news agency quoted an official in the Pakistani power ministry as stating that the feasibility report on the 1,000MW project would be completed this month.
"A 700km transmission line will be installed at a cost of $500mln," the official said, adding that the project was expected to be completed in five years.
Pakistan plans two projects for importing electricity from Iran. Work on a project to import 100MW for Gwadar in southwestern Balouchestan has already been initiated. The $3.1 million project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2012.
Pakistan is already importing 39MW from Iran for border areas and Gwadar.
According to the statement issued after the two officials' meeting, the Iranian ambassador briefed the minister on a power transmission line from Iran to Gwadar.
The minister and the ambassador agreed that technical experts of both countries would examine the project, it said.
"It has been decided that Mr Ashraf will visit Iran within the next couple of months for further deliberation on the project and its early completion," the statement noted.
After completion of the feasibility report technical-level talks are expected to be held in the last week of July to decide the tariff.
LAHORE: Pakistan and China will likely ink a MoU for rail link between Havelian and Khunjerab.
The General Manager Railways (operation) Ishfaq Khattak has immediately left for China to join the official delegation of President Asif Ali Zardari for this purpose.
According to railways sources the GM operation left for China on Sunday for 12 days visit.
Pakistan and China have already completed a pre-feasibility report for rail link.
The total railway track would consist on 682 Km and there would be 20 railway stations at all major cities in Pakistani side, report revealed.
Chief Engineer Survey & Construction of Pakistan Railways told that the pre-feasibility report had completed by two international consulting companies including Ding Dona and ILF Consulting Engineering but no progress had made after 2004.
He said if two countries would be agreed for a MoU during the presidential visit an international consortium would be constituted for feasibility study and PCI.
After completing Havelian-Khunjerab track, China would link with Pakistan from Gawadar Port, he added. Dawn.com
Balochistan wants full utilisation of Gwadar port, says CM
He said this while attending a meeting held on Wednesday to discuss problems being faced in the operation of the Gwadar port. Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri, federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan and provincial Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd Gailu were present on the occasion.
Mr Raisani said that so long as the port’s facilities remained under-utilised desired economic results would be difficult to achieve.
He said keeping in view the fishing community’s woes the provincial government had prepared a plan to build two alternative fish harbours, one each at Sur-Bandar and Pishukan. He said PC1s of these projects had been sent to the Planning Commission for approval.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the performance of Port of Singapore Authority, the firm that has been leased out the Gwadar port for 40 years, Mr Raisani said the Balochistan government had reservations on the contract awarded by the Musharraf government.
“The Balochistan government would like to run the port itself,” the chief minister said. The federal minister for ports and shipping said that his ministry had no objection to the suggestion.
QUETTA: Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Khan Raisani has said that people of Balochistan in general and those of Gwadar in particular have pinned lots of hopes on the country’s first deep sea port.
Baloch people have expectations from Gwadar Port: Raisani
* Balchistan CM says two fish harbours at Sur-Bandar and Pishukan will be constructed
Staff Report
QUETTA: The Baloch people have great expectations from the country's first deep-sea port at Gwadar, Balochistan Chief Minister (CM) Nawab Aslam Raisani said on Wednesday.
The Balochistan CM made these remarks while presiding over a briefing on the problems being faced regarding the operation of the Gwadar Port at the Ministry of Ports and Shipping.The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader said that until the port was non-functional and underutilised, its full economic potential could not be achieved. Raisani said that the local population of Gwadar had suffered a lot, as their fishing activities were affected due to the construction of the port. "The local fishing community had been witnessing a substantial decrease in their fish catch, as the port area had been a breeding point for various fish varieties," the Balochistan CM said. He told the meeting that in order to solve the problems of the fishermen, the Balochistan government had started the construction of two alternate fish harbours at Sur-Bandar and Pishukan while the initial proposals of these projects had been sent to the Planning Commission for approval. The PPP leader expressed reservations on the performance of the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA), which had leased the port for 40 years.
Raisani said that the Balochistan government was not happy with the contract, which was signed between the federal government and the PSA. He expressed the desire that the provincial government should operate the port itself.
I am not surprised that the funds are not iven for Gwadar Chaman Road. What's new about politicians, they just do lip service. Whay is that Baluchaistan Ministers do not see Prime Minister/President to push to get the money. NHA probably is thinking ways how to gobble up the money themselves.
Balochistan Assembly proceedings were suspended for 15 minutes on Tuesday when a number of provincial ministers staged a walk-out to protest against the alleged non-payment of funds by the federal government.
The speaker of the Balochistan Assembly suspended proceedings when lawmakers walked out of the session, saying the federal government and the National Highway Authority had not paid the funds they had promised Balochistan for the construction of certain highways
The minister for agriculture, Assad Baloch, raised the issue on a point of order, saying the government had allocated funds to build a road from Gwadar to Chaman when the Gwadar Port was established.
“A port is useless without a communication network,” he said.
He added that the Gwadar port was supposed to be connected to Chaman, a town bordering Afghanistan, but the road from Gwadar to Chaman via Panjgur had not been built for more than four years.
Yes, the current government is very poor, they have no any funds to help the effected areas of Blochistan, human rights are not the issue. On the other hand, they have a lot of funds to distribute among pakistan bar conciles for their own incentives, This is not the leaders attitude.This is the LOOT MAAR programme.
Total Records:
3274 Records Viewed Per Page: 30
Tuesday, 20. July 2010 03:34 PM
HTML code is disabled