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Thursday, 18 March 2021

GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar

 

  GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar

 

Being located on the shores of the Arabian Sea and endorsing the fluttering shore winds, Gawadar is a port city on the southwestern coast of Balochistan, Pakistan. Gawadar is a hammered-shaped peninsula situated at apex of Arabia sea and at the mouth of Persian gulf. Gawadar is 460 km (290 miles) west of provincial capital of Sindh, Karachi. It is 70 km east of Pakistan’s border from Iran and 380 km of northeast of Oman, 122 km (76 miles) from Turbat district in Baluchistan. Gawadar means “the gate of winds”.  The sea winds from Arabian Sea touch and craft day and night to fabricate scenic landscapes at on jagged mountains of Gawadar. Gawadar population is approx. 90,000 and the weather is warm and humid in summers.

Gawadar Pakistan

Gawadar Pakistan


Gawadar is a world’s natural deepest water sea port. There is much to talk about Gawadar’s evolution which is on way from small fishery spot to become a giant economic hub. Here we’ll tell you about the Gawadar’s significance in CPEC (China-Pakistan economic corridor). Also how the world’s most beautiful cricket stadium at Gawadar become challenge for ICC (International cricket council) and for cricket venturers in the world? Why one should prefer travelling by road from Karachi instead of plane to tour the scenic beauty of Gawadar?    

 

GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar

Why Oman Sell Gawadar to Pakistan?

 

Gawadar was a small port city near Turbat district in Baluchistan in 1947. The port city was under the control of Oman then which is situated at opposite shore of Gawadar. The land routes of Gawadar were however linked to Pakistan owned Baluchistan states. It was the time when colonialism was ending and the states were reviving their new positions on the world map.   After all Baluchistan states annexed to Pakistan during partition of 1947, the residents of Gwardar also raised their urge to join Pakistan to get rid of 174 long Omani rule as it was a part of Baluchistan in early 18th century.  In 1954, United States geological survey team recognized Gawadar a place for deep water port. The survey was held on the request of Pakistan to know the potential and strategic value of place when Pakistan was looking to purchase the port from Oman. After 4 years of negotiation with Oman government, Pakistan purchased Gawadar from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman for $3 million, on 7 September 1958. The accession of Gawadar was announced by Prime minister Pakistan, Malik Feroze Khan on Radio Pakistan. There broke a jubilation in Gawadar, Baluchistan and other parts Pakistan after the announcement.

 

Gawadar Pakistan

CPEC & GAWADAR

GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar


For around 50 years, Gawadar potential value remained out of sight until China showed interest in the construction and development of international sea port at the place. Pakistan government started the construction of Gawadar port in 2007 but the speed of work remained dead slow because of lack of investment, and due to security risks for employees.  China’s interest and a massive investment for constructing Gawadar port increased the value of project. With China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is a collection of infrastructure projects that are under construction throughout Pakistan since 2013, Chinese overseas department taken the Gawadar port construction in hand.  Gwadar has significant place in CPEC. A link road is almost ready between the One Belt, One Road and Maritime Silk Road project. China has invested $1.153 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Gawadar city including new international Gawadar airport. The roads will connect northern Pakistan and western China to the deepwater seaport.

 

Why China Has A Big Interest In Gawadar?

             

China is a trade giant of world who export huge logistic at every corner from many sea routes. Also sixty percent of oil comes to China from Persian Gulf. The Chinese ships have to travels over 16,000 (9,900 miles) distance which takes two to three months to reach the destinations. Meanwhile many ships come across with bad weathers, pirates, political chaos and mechanical faults. Gawadar port has reduced this long distance to about 5,000 km(3,100 miles) for Chinese trade through sea. In a way, China will be able to increase the volume of exports and profits.  China who is also investing in Pakistan under CPEC projects has aided to build a road from Gawadar port to provinces in western China so that China goods can be transported to Gawadar port easily. A  dry port is constructed on China-Pakistan border. China's role in Gwadar will increase its influence in the Indian Ocean which has an important route for oil transportation between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Also, China will be able to bypass the Strait of Malacca to reduce the risks of pirate attacks in Chinese seas. Many Chinese are working in Gawadar, Pakistan to make a project a real success.

 

Gawadar Pakistan



Gawadar International Airport 

 

GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar

Gawadar city has an operational International Airport to host the guests. Gawadar airport caters both International & Domestic flights on regular basis. There are three flights per week from Karachi. The airport is situated 14 km north of the city and has beautiful scenery.

 

HOW Can I Reach Gawadar

  •  Take flight to Gawadar
  • Take a flight to Turbat and take taxi from there
  • MAKRAN-COASTAL HIGHWAY   

Travelling from Karachi to Gawadar through Makran coastal highway Gwadar is no doubt a fascinating adventure trip. It’s a long trip of 630.6 km about 7 hours of travelling on a Makran coastal highway amid jagged rocks and undiscovered turquoise beaches. Don’t forget to visit at Hingol National park and stay by “Princess of Hope” and “Mud Volcanoes” in the way. It’s good to prepare for the journey well as there are fewer petrol pumps or restaurants in the long travel. 
Gawadar Pakistan


It may be one of your daring but an exploring trip. There are also many adventure clubs in Karachi that arrange road trips to Gawadar.

Read my friend's adventure on Makran Coastal Highway, Pakistan

 

Gwadar PC Hotel & Tourist Attractions

GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar


A 5-star Zaver Pearl Continental Gwadar hotel is there to comfort its guest. Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the Arabian Sea from its cliff-top position. Free Wi-Fi is provided in all its modern air-conditioned rooms for the tourists. Pearl Continental, Gwadar is 1.2 mi from deep water sea sports activities including many activities by Pak Navy. It is 6.2 miles from Virgin Beach. The distance of PC Gawadar from International airport is 8.7 miles. Don’t forget to visit 19 miles away Water Sports Park. Akra Dam is 22 miles away from PC Gawadar. There are also many small restaurants and hotels to host the guests.

Gawadar Pakistan


 

Gawadar Cricket Stadium-World's most beautiful cricket stadium

 

GAWADAR HISTORY, CPEC, TRAVEL GUIDE| All you want to know about Gawadar

The things have gone beyond a just port now. Gawadar is welcoming the tourists and locals by its development of “World’s Most Beautiful Cricket Stadium” here.  A lush green stadium in the lap of rugged hills is ready to host international matches. A first-ever exhibition match played between Showbiz Sharks and Gwadar Dolphins at stadium on 19th Feb 2021. The exhibition match was organized by singer, actor and TV presenter Fakhr-e-Alam and many renown TV and film stars were a part of playing teams. The match was dedicated to the Pakistan's iconic mountaineer Muhammad Ali Sadpara who died while venturing K2 few days before the match.

Gawadar Pakistan




The pictures of match were shared on ICC (International cricket council) twitter handle. The ICC twitter handle challenged others to find a more picturesque stadium after looking at pictures of Gawadar stadium. 

“Show us a more picturesque sports venue than the Gwadar cricket stadium in Balochistan. We'll wait…,” ICC tweeted.


The video showed a lush green Gawadar Stadium amid jagged mountains behind. It just like you’re playing at any fortress. The stadium’s capacity is about 20,000 and it is accessible by a well-constructed road from city. Pakistan is hoping to host international matches here soon.

 

Gawadar Place In International Politics

 

Many political raised questions about Gawadar’s potential and threats to Indian influence in the region. Being traditional rival of Pakistan, India think Gawadar can be game changer for Pakistan as it’s on way to develop a regional and economic hub around the port. Iran is also working on 72 km away Iranian sea port Chahbahar. India has invested a large amount in Iran to develop the Chahbahar sea port and free trade zone to tackle the Pakistan-China influence in the area. Though Iran tells that Iran’s Chahbahar don’t intend to vie with Pakistan’s Gawadar sea port. Many people ask is it safe to visit Gawadar? Then, Pakistan deeply understands the value of Gawadar port towards its economic growth therefore Pakistan Army and officials are working effortlessly in growth of Gawadar and to eradicate any security risks to projects from inside or outside the country. Gawadar and other areas of Pakistan are safe to visit after Army's successful operations against terrorists. 

 

 

 

 

 

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