According to the Federal Secretary Maritime Affairs, Rizwan Ahmed, thegovernment has approved the Gwadar Smart City Master Plan. According toreports, Gwadar’s economic output is expected to exceed $30 billion, whilecreating up to 1.2 million jobs for skilled workers.——————————

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Rizwan Ahmed briefed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in a meetingchaired by MNA, Munazza Hassan, regarding a tentative review audit for theMaritimes Division. According to reports, all audit objections for the year2009 were closed, and proceedings adjourned for new projects.

The Federal Secretary Maritime Affairs suggested that within the next threeto four years, Gwadar will facilitate Central Asian countries, includingAfghanistan, with China already in the Trade Belt mix. The Master Planreportedly mentioned the establishment of international exhibition centers,theme parks, luxury resorts, botanical gardens, and museums in a thrivingmodern city.

The city will attract high paid jobs, as the government is keen to providea tax-free environment. Pakistan’s largest international airport has beeninaugurated, high-tech industries will be established, and mega shoppingmalls, luxury resorts, and manmade islands will change the national outlook.

According to reports, the Master Plan includes a $5 billion investment intoGwadar’s power sector for 15 new power plants, a $1 billion kitty togenerate 700,000 cubic meters of fresh water through desalination plants, acentral business district, and a manmade island.