Balochistan Province

Gwadar : ReNews Pakistan
The Gwadar Port Authority and South Air have agreed to formalise a partnership aimed at promoting Gwadar as a major coastal tourism destination and improving air connectivity to the port city.
The understanding was reached during a meeting attended by Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haq Baloch, Member of the National Assembly Romina Khurshid Alam, who is also a member of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, and South Air Chief Operating Officer Ejaz Mahmood Malik.
During the meeting, the participants discussed measures to strengthen Gwadar’s tourism sector by improving air links and jointly promoting the city’s natural, cultural and economic attractions.
Under the proposed partnership, the Gwadar Port Authority and South Air will launch coordinated promotional campaigns highlighting Gwadar’s coastline, scenic locations, cultural heritage and tourism opportunities. These campaigns are expected to target domestic and international tourists as well as potential investors.
Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haq Baloch said the initiative was aligned with the vision of Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to develop Gwadar not only as a strategic maritime gateway but also as a centre for tourism, investment and sustainable economic growth.
He said stronger air connectivity was essential for increasing tourist arrivals, facilitating business travel and improving access to the port city. Better connectivity, he added, could help create new opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport services, tour operators and other tourism related businesses.
The meeting also reviewed an earlier proposal discussed between the GPA chairman and South Air Station Manager Muhammad Saleem regarding the expansion of air services to Gwadar.
Officials said the proposed expansion could support tourism development and help the city benefit more effectively from its coastal attractions and growing strategic importance.
The participants expressed confidence that closer cooperation between public institutions and the private sector would help position Gwadar as a leading coastal tourism destination.
They added that the initiative could also attract new investment, generate employment and support wider economic development in the region.

Quetta | ReNews Pakistan
The chairman of the MCC Huaye Duddar Mining Project has urged the federal and Balochistan governments to introduce comprehensive tax reforms and simplify administrative procedures, warning that the current taxation regime and bureaucratic hurdles are limiting foreign investment and slowing the growth of the province’s mining industry.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Duddar mining project, Chairman Zhang Liangeng, also known as Hopang, said the company continues to face significant operational challenges due to multiple taxes and administrative requirements imposed by both the federal and provincial governments. He stressed that the existing regulatory framework increases costs, delays business operations and reduces the competitiveness of mining projects in Pakistan.
Zhang said Balochistan possesses vast mineral resources with the potential to attract substantial international investment, create employment opportunities and contribute to Pakistan’s economic development. However, he warned that investors require a predictable, transparent and business-friendly policy environment before committing long-term capital to large-scale mining ventures.
He noted that although the federal government had granted the Duddar mining project Export Processing Zone (EPZ) status to facilitate exports and provide tax incentives, the project continues to bear a federal tax burden of up to 42 percent. According to Zhang, such a high level of taxation is inconsistent with the objectives of the EPZ incentive framework and undermines the effectiveness of measures designed to encourage foreign investment.
Calling for a review of existing taxation policies, Zhang urged policymakers to rationalise taxes, remove unnecessary procedural barriers and create a more supportive investment climate for the mining sector. He said policy reforms would not only improve the viability of existing projects but also encourage new foreign investors to explore Balochistan’s untapped mineral potential.
Industry observers believe that improving the regulatory environment, ensuring policy consistency and reducing unnecessary administrative obstacles could help Pakistan attract greater international investment into its mining sector, strengthening exports, generating employment and supporting long-term economic growth.

Gwadar: [ReNews Pakistan]
The Government of Balochistan has formally initiated work on a low cost housing scheme in Gwadar aimed at providing affordable homes for low income fishermen, marking another step in the province’s efforts to improve living standards and support inclusive urban development in the strategic coastal city.
The project has entered the land demarcation phase, with work beginning on July 8 under the supervision of the district administration following directives issued by the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA). Survey teams are currently marking project boundaries and carrying out technical assessments to prepare the site for future development.
Earlier this year, the provincial government allocated more than 200 acres of land for the scheme, which is estimated to cost PKR 2.44 billion. The housing project is located near the intersection of Jiwani Avenue and Awaran Avenue, close to the Gwadar Sports Complex, an area identified for planned residential expansion under the city's master plan.
According to project details, the development will include 2,970 residential plots, each measuring 120 square yards, which will be allocated to eligible fishermen to help address the housing needs of low income families dependent on the fishing industry.
A joint team comprising officials from the Gwadar Development Authority, district administration and law enforcement agencies is overseeing the demarcation process. Authorities are installing boundary markers, conducting land surveys and inspecting the area for illegal encroachments to ensure the project proceeds without delays.
Officials have also directed individuals occupying government land unlawfully to vacate the site, warning that legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply with the instructions.
The Gwadar Development Authority said the housing initiative forms an integral part of the Gwadar Master Plan and reflects the government's commitment to providing secure and affordable housing for local fishing communities. Authorities believe the project will not only improve the quality of life for thousands of families but also contribute to the city's long term, planned urban growth and sustainable development.