Hafiz Naeemur Rehman Visits Gwadar, Urges Modernization and Model City Development for Municipal Committee
**Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta):** Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, along with JI Balochistan chief and MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman Baloch and Al-Khidmat team, visited the Municipal Committee Gwadar to review municipal operations and urge modernization of the city’s services.
Upon arrival, they were welcomed by Gwadar Municipal Committee Chairman Majid Johar, Chief Municipal Officer Maktum Musa, and councilors. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman was taken on a tour of various municipal departments, where officials briefed him on the 2026 coordination plan, developmental strategy, administrative structure, and key challenges facing the city.
Chairman Majid Johar noted that in the past, municipal matters suffered stagnation and unclear division of powers between the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) and Municipal Committee. He emphasized that all relevant institutions must collaborate to drive the city’s development. The municipal committee is working alongside district administration, GDA, and Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) to improve urban infrastructure.
Gwadar has been divided into three zones for better service delivery: the southern old town, central commercial and market areas, and northern newly developed settlements. According to the 2023 census, the city’s population is approximately 70,000, the same as in 1998, after previously rising to 90,000 in 2017. Officials warned that if this declining trend continues, the population could drop to 40–50,000 in the next decade.
The briefing highlighted critical shortages in municipal resources and staff. The city produces around 120 tons of garbage daily, but only 14 rickshaws, one sanitary inspector, and one supervisor are available, whereas at least 40 rickshaws, four inspectors, and eight supervisors are needed. Fire brigade and other machinery are also insufficient.
Under the “Vision 2026 – Clean and Green Gwadar” initiative, the municipal committee aims to transform the city into a model city. The plan includes digitizing the complaint system, training fire brigade staff with the support of Pakistan Navy and New International Airport experts, and establishing a specialized team of 8–10 personnel to monitor street maintenance, repairs, and sanitation on a daily basis.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman praised the municipal office and modern systems, emphasizing that physical offices alone are not enough and that practical results must be visible on the ground. He suggested leveraging international NGOs and government environmental programs for city improvement and emphasized the effective use of MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman as a strong voice for Gwadar.
The JI leadership also assured full technical and training support to transform Gwadar into a “City of Lights” similar to Karachi by 2026. A “Sister Town” agreement between Gwadar and JI-administered Karachi towns was also proposed to exchange expertise and best practices, with JI Karachi ready to fully cooperate with the Gwadar Municipal Committee.
