Pak to build fourth seaport

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday approved in principle the concept for the development of a new self-contained port city on the Balochistan coast which will provide business, tourism, housing and industrial development opportunities to local and foreign investors.

Chairing a presentation on the proposed port city called Alladin Cove at the Prime Minister House, the premier said that the actual city would be located at Miani Hor on the Balochistan coast.An official announcement said that new port city would be equipped with world-class infrastructure including roads, airport, hotels, resorts, IT, banking, industrial parks and oil refineries. President General Pervez Musharraf had announced the establishment of the new city on March 20 while inaugurating the Gwadar Deep Sea Port.

Karachi Port Trust Chairman Vice-Admiral Ahmed Hayat informed the meeting that Pakistan’s fourth sea port would be developed at Miani Hor a lagoon near Sonmiani, which is located 80 km North West of Karachi.Mr Aziz said that the selected area should be clearly delineated and acquired and the services of a world-class developer should be sought through international tenders to prepare a master plan for the proposed city.

The premier said that in addition to being a port the new city would be a tourist resort and an industrial hub and will open new vistas of economic opportunities and create thousands of jobs which would benefit not only Balochistan but the entire country.He appreciated the positive role of Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Mohammad Yousuf in facilitating yet another mega project which would benefit the people of the province.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Mohammad Yousuf, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri, Balochistan Minister for Revenue Asim Kurd, Chief Secretary Balochistan and Secretary Ports and Shipping.