Gwadar

This refers to the article, ‘Gwadar’ (Sep 11) by Dr. Farrukh Saleem. The topic raised is critical and discusses the lack of the basic necessities of life in this ‘international city’. Lack of water, electricity, gas, education, hospital and security issues form a critical picture in Gwadar.

The nation has high hopes from this mega project. The international world is also keen to participate in the project. Iran has the Chahbhar Port, but still wants to provide us electricity and gas for Gwadar. What is needed are abstract steps do not work some concrete steps and projects are required for progress. Beggar’s bowl and land occupation is not enough for making deepest and largest port of the region. We can make it better than Dubai, as 60 percent of Middle East and 40 percent of world oil supply is from this route.

Rehana Rafique

Risalpur Cantt

*****

The writer has stated certain facts about Gwadar in his article. If action is not taken soon, the development of the area, a requirement for the CPEC, can be seriously affected. Though, there are many issues linked with Gwadar at present, scarcity of potable water is the most serious problem that merits immediate attention of the government. Gwadar lives on rain water. It gets water from the Akra Kaur Dam. But, the availability of water from this dam is dependent on the rains which have an erratic pattern. Currently, Gwadar needs 4.6 million gallons of water. Akra can only supply 2.5 million. By 2020, this demand would surge to 12 million. How this problem will be solved is a big question.

The best solution in sight seems to be the installation of a desalination plant. Through the desalination process, salts and minerals are removed from sea water to make it suitable for human consumption. The energy for this process can be generated through solar means which would bring the cost down appreciably. I think the government should resolve the issue before venturing into anything else at Gwadar. Let’s not put the cart before the horse.

Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A Khan

Rawalpindi