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A small village of fishermen will be the hub of economic activities and will get the status of International Trade Seaport in future which we all known as Gwadar. Gwadar was known as a small village where fishermen live and fulfill their needs by catching fishes. Now it is a city of skyscrapers and in future, it will be the main hub for business activities and will be the most modern city of Pakistan. In the middle of the sea, the land like a hammer is an island as it is surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea and on one side is a dry land. It is a deep seaport, situated on the Arabian Sea. By looking at the history, we come to know that its original name was “Gwat Dar” which means the “Door of Air”. Gwat means air while Dar means door. It is also known as the door of Persian Gulf. If we look at the sea from the city, the two hills look like in the way that they are two pillars standing to make a door that is why it got its name “Gwadar”. As this city is surrounded by the sea on the three sides, so sea breeze blows all the time there, due to which this city presents beautiful and eye-catching scenery. The city is also surrounded by heightened rocky hills that also add to the beauty of the city. This place for the first time was noticed in 1954, at that time this territory was under Omani suzerainty.
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Pakistan seashore is about 1100 meters long out of which 770 meters is located in Balochistan and 330 meters is in Indus. There are approximately 9 ports on Balochistan beach, out of which two ports Gudani and Sonmiani are in the district of Lasbella while the rest are in District Gwadar, familiar with the names of Pasni, Ormara, Jiwani, Gaddani, Kalmat, Genz, Pushkin, and Sur. Gwadar is located at the distance of 700 kilometers from the west of Karachi, at 75 kilometers from Iran, at 380 kilometers from Oman linked with the Arabian Sea in the east.
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Gwadar is a port of warm water and deep sea which is located on the Arabian Sea and connects the whole world with the Gulf Persian at the end of Arabian Sea. It is very important from the economic point of view for trading activities. It is the only way for export of oil from the Gulf States. Besides this, it is also the nearest seashore to Afghanistan and Middle East countries. Actually, it is located on the sea of warm water, while the seaports of warm water are very rare in the world. It is very good for us because, on warm waters seaport, the trading activities continue during the whole year. On the other side, on the seaports of cold water, trading becomes difficult and even impossible in some weathers.
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This is also a big fact that different types of civilizations always has been tended to live near this shore and from the ancient times this port has been used for the purpose of trading and this port also has been played an important role in the evolution of history and culture because on this port, many pieces of evidence of migration of the human tribes from this place thousands of years ago, have been found. This passage also has witnessed the migrated tribes, warriors, nomadic tribes and trading groups passing away from there and also preserved their signs in its heart. The history of Gwadar and its surrounding is very old. This territory is also known as Klanch valley or Dasht Valley. Most of the area of this city is barren and nothing could be cultivated here but it has been of great importance in the history of Makran.
Paths that Alexander the Great took.
Gwadar beach in Makran region
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When Alexander the Great was going back to Greek, he accidently discovered it. His commander in chief anchored his naval ships on the port and discussed this city in his writings by the names of Kalmaat, Gwadar, Pashukaan and Chaah Bahaar. Due to its location on the sea, Alexander conquered this region and appointed his one Governor as a ruler there who ruled there till 330 BC. After that Chandra Gupta who was the ruler of South Asia conquered this region and ruled there for 100 years. After that, Irani rulers conquered this region. Arabian also conquered Makran in the era of Hazrat Umer Farooq in 23 Hijra but due to the shortage of water resources, they stopped their victories. In 711 AD, Muhammad Bin Qasim who was the nephew of Hajjaj Bin Yusuf, attacked this region and entered the South Asia and conquered many regions of Balochistan and Indus. After Arabian, many tribes attacked and conquered this region.
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Gwadar and the area in its surrounding are very beautiful. It is the trade link between Middle East countries and South Asian countries. If we look at the history of Gwadar, until the 19th century, it was the part of Oman. Before partition, this area was included in district Qalat. In 1955, this area was a part of Makran district. In 1958, Pakistan bought this area from Muscat by paying 10 million dollars. In 2007, Pakistan decided to make this port more advanced and vast. Huge plans were made, Gwadar port reconstruction was also part of these plans. Gwadar Seaport project was started in 2002 with the help of China. The inauguration of this project in 2002 was a very historic movement in the economic trade history of Pakistan. The port is a gateway for the trade with Central Asian states and the Persian Gulf. Nearly 20 countries of the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and South Asia will be benefited by this port. After the completion of this project, Pakistan will be able to provide transport, commercial and industrial facilities for the international community. Due to increase in population, China and India need more household items and oil. Afghanistan also doesn’t have any naval trade route. So, these countries need a port for safe and cost effective enterprise. Due to its geostrategic position, Gwadar provides the shortest possible route for trade with Middle East countries and South Asian countries.
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After the end of war in Afghanistan, USA wants new friends or strategic partners in the world. At this time, Chinese support is very important for Pakistan. Pakistan with the partial assistance of China had completed the first phase of the seaport project. The formal inauguration of this project had done on 20th March 2007. Now the construction of phase II is started. The Government of Pakistan also provided the naval base to China in Gwadar. This project is also called as an economic corridor to China. This port will also enable China to import oil and other household items safely. Now China will have shorter and secure route to the Middle East and Europe. This port will also enable Pakistan to monitor the coastline activities and communications.
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On the other hand, we all know very well that Pakistan and India relationships are not good. Both countries are facing difficulties and many wars also have been fought between them. The major issue between these two countries is the territory of Kashmir. India feels insecure also due to the involvement and support of China to Pakistan. On the other hand, America is providing support to India in many projects. India is also investing on Chabahar port in Iran while the USA is also investing in the completion of this project to compete China. Gwadar has increased the importance of Pakistan in the whole world. This project also strengthened the relations between China and Pakistan.
Gwadar city in future
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By the use of modern technology, authorities have made Gwadar port very amazing. As the project of Gwadar port to make it according to the modern era, is approaching near, its importance is getting increased day by day. This project will not only bring prosperity for the people who live in Pakistan but also for the whole continent. This project will be helpful in improving the economic condition of Balochistan but also of Pakistan and will be helpful in naval export and import of goods from China, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries. By the cooperation of China, not only the port but also the city like Hong Kong and Dubai will be established there, in which free trade zone, largest airport of Pakistan, Universities, playgrounds and hydroelectric plants will be established. Among these projects, the project of CPEC is of great importance, which is based on a railway track, motorway and pipelines from the western province of China to Gwadar and work on the project is stated. Many opportunities of employments for youth will be achieved by this project. The age of prosperity will not only be started in Balochistan but also in whole Pakistan. And Insha Allah [if Allah wishes to be} Gwadar of today will be the hub of commercial and economic activities and Will get the status of the International trading route.
