Balochistan Province

Gwadar | ReNews Pakistan
The New Gwadar International Airport received its first trial flight from Karachi as private airline South Air launched an initial service between the two cities, marking an important development in efforts to improve air connectivity in Balochistan’s coastal region. The successful landing is being viewed as a significant milestone for the airport’s operational readiness and future commercial activity.
The New Gwadar International Airport has been developed under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor framework and is expected to play a major role in connecting Gwadar with major cities across Pakistan. The airport is designed to facilitate passenger movement, cargo handling and regional transport services, particularly in the Makran division and the wider coastal belt.
Officials and aviation stakeholders said the launch of trial flight operations would help assess route viability, airport systems and service arrangements before regular flight operations are expanded. They added that improved air links would reduce travel time between Gwadar, Karachi, Quetta and other cities, making movement easier for residents, business communities, investors and visitors.
The development is also expected to support trade, tourism and port related activity in Gwadar, which is being positioned as a major commercial and logistics hub. With Gwadar Port already serving as a key maritime facility, better coordination between sea and air transport could strengthen the city’s importance in regional connectivity.
A spokesperson for the private airline said improved connectivity between Gwadar’s seaport and international airport could help transform the city into a modern commercial and transit centre. The spokesperson said integrated maritime and air transport systems would create new opportunities for business, travel and logistics services.
Local stakeholders believe the new air route could also contribute to employment generation and economic growth in the region. They said regular flight operations would encourage investment, improve access to services and help connect Gwadar more effectively with national and international markets.
The first trial flight is being seen as a positive step for Gwadar’s long term development, as authorities continue work to make the airport fully operational and capable of supporting the city’s growing transport, trade and tourism requirements.

Gwadar | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan has invited oil-producing countries to establish strategic oil reserves at the proposed Energy City near Gwadar Port, in a move aimed at strengthening national energy security and transforming the country into a regional hub for energy storage, logistics and re-export.
Officials said the planned facility would allow Pakistan priority access to stored oil during emergencies, including wars, supply disruptions or international market shocks. The initiative is being developed as part of a broader strategy to expand the country’s maritime and energy infrastructure along its coastline.
According to officials, Kuwait has already expressed interest in exploring the development of strategic oil buffers under the project. Pakistan is also awaiting further progress on possible Saudi investment in oil reserves and refinery infrastructure at Gwadar.
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry discussed the proposal during a meeting with Kuwaiti Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Al-Mutairi. During the meeting, the minister presented investment opportunities in energy logistics, fuel storage and maritime infrastructure linked to the Energy City concept.
Pakistan has offered foreign investors opportunities in fuel storage facilities, bonded terminals, jetty construction and wider port infrastructure development. The proposed Energy City is expected to include storage and handling facilities for liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, crude oil and white oil products.
Officials said the plan also includes rental-based bonded storage systems to support regional trade and supply chains. These facilities would allow international companies and oil-producing countries to store fuel in Pakistan for onward supply, re-export or emergency use.
The proposed developments also include a multipurpose terminal at Port Qasim, along with additional terminals and expanded storage capacity at key maritime locations. Authorities believe such infrastructure could help Pakistan attract foreign investment while improving the country’s ability to manage fuel supply risks.
Discussions between Pakistani officials and the Kuwaiti envoy also covered broader cooperation in maritime infrastructure. The government assured facilitation for potential investors interested in Energy City-related projects, fuel storage facilities and port development.
The Kuwaiti ambassador expressed interest in reviewing the proposed projects and fuel storage opportunities in detail. Both sides agreed to continue consultations to identify practical areas of cooperation.
Earlier, the government announced the Pakistan Maritime Energy City under its long-term “Hundred Years Vision 2047–2147”. A 12-member committee has also been formed to identify locations for three to four new deep-sea ports along Pakistan’s coastline.
Officials said the Energy City is intended to support the storage and re-export of oil, LNG and LPG through integration with Pakistan’s port infrastructure. They added that the project could play an important role in enhancing regional energy trade while improving Pakistan’s long-term energy security.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The Balochistan government has moved ahead with a comprehensive 10 year development vision for Gwadar aimed at transforming the coastal city into a modern, sustainable and globally competitive economic hub under the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan.
A high level meeting chaired by Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Buledi reviewed the proposed development program prepared by the Gwadar Development Authority, GDA. The plan focuses on infrastructure improvement, urban management, public facilities, environmental sustainability, tourism promotion and revenue generation for long-term institutional stability.
The meeting was attended by MPA Gwadar Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, Additional Chief Secretary Development Zahid Saleem, GDA Director General Moin-ur-Rehman Khan, Chief Engineer Federal Projects Dr Sajjad Baloch, Chief Engineer GDA Haji Syed Muhammad, Director Town Planning Shahid Ali, Chairman Tehsil Municipal Committee Gwadar Majid Johar and other senior officials.
During the briefing, GDA Director General Moin-ur-Rehman Khan presented details of the proposed 10 year program, which includes major infrastructure projects such as road expansion, new water supply lines, a 20 million gallon desalination plant, underground power cabling, solarization initiatives and tree plantation drives.
The plan also includes improvements in sewerage, drainage, fisheries-related infrastructure and civic services, along with tourism and recreational projects including Grab Beach Park, GDA Club, Foreigners Resort and Coastal Beach Resort.
Officials informed the meeting that the proposed development framework also covers the Central Business District, Special Economic Zone, GDA Housing Scheme and micro-level master planning. These initiatives are being aligned with the second phase of the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan for the period 2025 to 2035.
Speaking on the occasion, Mir Zahoor Buledi said Gwadar’s development must be based on local needs, public consultation and ground realities. He emphasized that development should not remain limited to mega infrastructure projects, but should directly improve the lives of ordinary citizens, fishermen, youth and the local business community.
He directed the GDA to prepare practical business models and revenue generation schemes so the authority could achieve financial independence and ensure the long-term sustainability of its projects. He also instructed officials to rationalize the proposed program according to available resources and priority needs before submitting it to Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for final approval and implementation.
MPA Gwadar Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman appreciated the GDA’s completed schemes, particularly the restoration work in Old Town, which he said had improved infrastructure and drainage conditions. He noted that recent rains caused fewer problems compared to previous years, but several areas, including Gwadar city, Surbandar and Pishkan, still require urgent attention.
He said roads, sewerage and drainage systems in these areas should be given priority in the new development program to address the daily problems faced by local communities.
Chief Engineer Federal Projects Dr Sajjad Baloch called for special welfare projects for fishermen and assured that the federal government would provide funds for such initiatives. He also proposed completing the Gwadar Northern Bypass through the National Highway Authority to reduce traffic pressure and support future trade and transport activity.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advance Gwadar’s development in line with modern urban requirements, local priorities and community interests. Officials said the government’s broader vision is to turn Gwadar into a sustainable coastal city, a major economic center and a strategic gateway for Pakistan and the wider region.