Under the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan (2019–2025), the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) is launching a Central Business District (CBD) spread over 2,580 acres, aiming to transform Gwadar into a thriving economic and tourism hub. The multi-model development, which includes Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Joint Ventures, carries an initial investment estimate of Rs90 billion and is projected to yield profits of up to Rs400 billion over the next decade.
To support this ambitious plan, the government has designated Gwadar as a tax-free district, exempting it from all provincial taxes. Infrastructure developments are well underway, with a 280-kilometre road network already completed.
The CBD initiative aligns with various infrastructure and green development projects already completed or in progress, such as the New Gwadar International Airport, Eastbay Expressway, Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute, and the ongoing rehabilitation of the old town. Efforts are also focused on ecological corridors, tourism mapping, digitalisation, and the development of civic and social amenities to strengthen the region’s investment appeal.
In line with the city’s transition toward a green economy, the “Gwadar Going Green” movement is making visible progress. Key projects include the Pak-China Friendship Green Park, GDA Central and Family Parks, Gwadar Port Free Zone Nursery, tissue culture labs, and intelligent greenhouses. Massive plantation drives have transformed key roads and housing societies, including Marine Drive, Shaheed Capt Road, and Syed Hashmi Avenue.
Additionally, local schools and institutions such as NUML Campus, Gwadar University, and GDA hospitals have incorporated green spaces, reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable urbanisation under the Gwadar Master Plan.
Further enhancing the city’s tourism potential, GDA is planning a ferry service connecting Gwadar with nearby coastal areas and Iran. A comprehensive tourism strategy is being developed, focusing on “Festival Tourism” and “Cultural Tourism” to showcase Gwadar’s vibrant heritage through local events, fairs, and themed festivals.
Approved during the 9th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting between Pakistan and China in 2019, the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan marks a strategic milestone in regional development. With recent additions like Aloe Vera plantations and Juncao grass under the agricultural ecosystem, the city continues to evolve into a model of modern, green urbanisation.
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