Balochistan CM Emphasizes Financial Autonomy for Gwadar Development Authority

Quetta/Gwadar: Under the chairmanship of Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, the 31st meeting of the Governing Body of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) was held to review the city’s overall development, provision of basic facilities, progress on ongoing development projects, financial matters, and future initiatives. Several key decisions were made during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by MNA Gwadar Haji Malik Shah, MPA Gwadar Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Zahid Saleem, Director General GDA Moeen-ur-Rahman Khan, as well as representatives from the Planning Commission Islamabad, Pakistan Railways, and the National Highway Authority. The annual budget of GDA for FY 2025-26 was also approved during the session.

Addressing the meeting, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti stressed the need to make the GDA financially autonomous and instructed a special audit to ensure transparency in the authority’s financial matters. The Finance Department was directed to conduct a comprehensive audit of GDA and submit a detailed report in the next meeting.

He highlighted that the authority should focus on generating its own resources and ensuring sustainable development rather than relying on the government. Noting that GDA’s annual revenue is only PKR 7 crore against expenditures of PKR 87 crore, the Chief Minister called for immediate reforms.

He further emphasized the importance of institutional reforms and effective financial management to make GDA an active and efficient institution capable of achieving its development goals and contributing to Gwadar’s growth.

During the meeting, approvals were granted for feasibility reports on drainage, sewerage, streetwork, and road-paving projects in low-lying areas of Gwadar, including TTC Colony, Bakhshi Colony, Shambay Ismail, and Naya Abad, for inclusion in next year’s development program. Consolidation and expansion of GDA water project grants were also approved.

The Chief Minister directed that new possibilities and alternative sources for water supply be explored to meet the growing needs of Gwadar in a sustainable manner.

Director General GDA, Moeen-ur-Rahman Khan, briefed the meeting that the Sod Dam, which had dried up due to lack of rainfall over the past two years, has started supplying water again after recent rains replenished it.

The meeting concluded with satisfaction over the progress of ongoing development projects, improvements in the city’s water supply system, and overall performance of the Gwadar Development Authority.