GDA Governing Body’s 30th Meeting Focuses on Key Development Issues in Gwadar
Gwadar:The **30th meeting of the Governing Body** of the **Gwadar Development Authority (GDA)** was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of **Chief Minister Balochistan**, **Mir Sarfaraz Bugit**, in **Gwadar**. The meeting was attended by a number of key officials, including **Member of Provincial Assembly Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman**, **Chief Secretary of Balochistan Shakil Qadir Khan**, **Principal Secretary Babar Khan**, **Commissioner Makran Qadir Bakhsh Parkani**, **Deputy Commissioner Gwadar Hamood-ur-Rehman**, **GDA Director General Saifullah Khetran**, and other relevant department officers.
During the meeting, **several ongoing and proposed development projects** were discussed, including **public-private partnerships**, **infrastructure development**, **shopping malls**, **tourism parks**, and **private housing schemes**. The GDA team presented detailed briefings and multiple decisions were taken regarding these projects.
### Key Outcomes from the Meeting:
1. **Financial Independence for GDA:**
Chief Minister **Mir Sarfaraz Bugit** emphasized the need for the **Gwadar Development Authority (GDA)** to become an autonomous, active, and self-sustaining entity. He stated that the **GDA** should generate its own revenue and reduce reliance on government funding. He expressed disappointment that despite expectations, the GDA has still been requesting financial support from the government.
2. **Shadi Kor Dam Solarization:**
The **solarization of Shadi Kor Dam**, approval of necessary funds for fuel expenses, and water supply issues were discussed. The Chief Minister directed the GDA to avoid projects that would require continuous government financial support without yielding results.
3. **Water Crisis in Gwadar:**
A significant concern raised during the meeting was **Gwadar’s water crisis**. It was highlighted that key water reservoirs like **Sod Dam** and **Okra Dam** have dried up due to a lack of rainfall, leaving the region facing severe water shortages. The Chief Minister instructed officials to connect **Shadi Kor Dam** with Gwadar’s water supply and ensure the provision of required funds and resources for this purpose.
4. **Water Supply Responsibility Shift:**
The responsibility for supplying water to **Gwadar city** will now fall entirely under the jurisdiction of the **GDA**, while the **Public Health Engineering Department** will handle water supply for suburban and rural areas.
5. **Investment and Infrastructure Development:**
**Mir Sarfaraz Bugit** emphasized the creation of a **conducive environment** for investment in Gwadar, with a focus on attracting **both domestic and international investors**. He also urged that the focus of development should be on providing **basic facilities** to Gwadar’s residents alongside **modern infrastructure**.
6. **Urgency in Project Implementation:**
The Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary expressed dissatisfaction with the current proposals for GDA’s support projects, criticizing them for lacking seriousness and forward-thinking strategies. They instructed the GDA team to come back to **Quetta** after preparing **comprehensive plans** for the projects to ensure actionable progress.
7. **Tourism and Commercial Growth:**
The **development of tourism, hoteling, markets**, and **commercial activities** was also highlighted as a key area. The Chief Minister stressed that without effectively promoting these sectors, the development plans would lose their relevance and impact.
### Conclusion:
The meeting concluded with clear directives aimed at **improving GDA’s financial independence**, resolving **water supply issues**, and ensuring the **sustainable development of Gwadar**. The government expressed its commitment to providing Gwadar residents with basic amenities and creating a **thriving, investor-friendly environment** for both locals and international stakeholders.
