Gwadar گوادر | |
|---|---|
    From top, left to right: Gwadar coastline, Blue Lagoon at Gwadar, Gwadar Fishing Basin, Gwadar Sangar Flagpole,Gwadar Port, Gwadar Bay | |
 Interactive map of Gwadar | |
  Gwadar  Gwadar | |
| Coordinates:25°07′35″N62°19′21″E / 25.12639°N 62.32250°E /25.12639; 62.32250 | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Province |  Balochistan |
| District | Gwadar |
| Tehsil | Gwadar |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal Corporation |
| • Body | Gwadar Development Authority |
| • Mayor | Muhammad Sharif Miah Dad |
| • Deputy Commissioner | Hamood-Ur-Rehman (BPS-18 PAS) |
| • District Police Officer | Zuhaib Mohsin (BPS-18 PSP) |
| Population | |
• Total | 70,852 |
| Time zone | UTC+5 (PST) |
| Postal code | 91200 |
| Calling code | +92 |
| Number of towns | 1 |
| Number ofUnion councils | 5 |
| Website | www |
Gwadar (Urdu:گوادر,Urdu pronunciation:[ɡəʋɑːd̪əɾ]) is aport city on the southwestern coast of thePakistani province ofBalochistan. The city is located on the shores of theArabian Sea, oppositeOman, and has a population of over 90,000 according to the2017 census. It was an overseas possession ofOman from 1783 to 1958, when it waspurchased by Pakistan.[2] It is about 120 km (75 mi) southwest ofTurbat. The sister port city ofChabahar in Iran'sSistan and Baluchestan province is about 170 km (110 mi) to the west of Gwadar. On 2 April 2021, it was declared the winter capital of Balochistan.[3]
Founded in the late 17th century as a fishing settlement, Gwadar became a regional trade hub within theOmani Empire in the 20th century before declaring itself a part ofPakistan (1958). Modest investment from China helped accelerate Gwadar's development from 2013 to 2020 when the city started to develop its economy. In 2025, overall investment reached 1 billion USD.
The main industrial concern is a fish-processing factory. Gwadar became part of the sultanate ofMuscat and Oman in 1797, and it was not until 1958 that the town and adjoining hinterland were exchanged fromOman toPakistan.
Gwadar came in the focus of attention after theKargil War when Pakistan felt the need of having a military naval port and the Karachi-Gwadar Road (Coastal Highway) was built for defence purposes.[4] For most of its history, Gwadar was a small to medium-sized settlement with an economy largely based on artisanal fishing. The strategic value of its location was first recognized in 1954 when it was identified as a suitable site for a deep-water port by the United States Geological Survey at the request of Pakistan while the territory was still underOmani rule.[5] Until 2001, the area's potential to be a major deep-water port remained untapped under successive Pakistani governments, when construction on the first phase ofGwadar Port was initiated in 2007.[6] The first phase cost $248 million.[7] The port initially remained underutilized after construction for a variety of reasons, including lack of investment, security concerns, and the Government of Pakistan's failure to transfer land as promised to the port operator,Port of Singapore Authority.[8]
In April 2015, Pakistan and China announced their intention to develop the $46 billionChina–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),[9] which in turn forms part of China's ambitiousOne Belt, One Road.[10] Gwadar features heavily in CPEC, and is also envisaged to be the link between theOne Belt, One Road andMaritime Silk Road project.[11] $1.153 billion worth of infrastructure projects will be invested into the city as part of CPEC,[12] with the aim of linking northern Pakistan and western China to the deep-water seaport.[13] The city will also be the site of a floating liquefied natural gas facility that will be built as part of the larger $2.5 billion Gwadar–Nawabshah segment of theIran–Pakistan gas pipeline project.[14] Despite concerns over the United States sanctions on Iran, Pakistan is going ahead with the construction of a pipeline from the Iranian border to Gwadar as of 2024. This is partly to avoid contractual penalties and partly to avoid overreliance on theGwadar Coal–Power Plant which requires imported coal.[15] In addition to investments directly under the aegis of CPEC in the Gwadar city, the China Overseas Port Holding Company in June 2016 began construction on the $2 billionGwadar Special Economic Zone,[16] which is being modelled on the lines of thespecial economic zones of China.[17] In September 2016, theGwadar Development Authority published arequest for tenders for the preparation of expropriation and resettlement of Old Town Gwadar.[18]
The word "Gwadar" is a combination of twoBalochi words –gwát meaningwind anddar meaninggateway ordoor (Balochi:گوات ءُ در), thus Gwadar means "the gate of wind".[19]
The inhabitation of Gwadar, like most of the other areas ofBalochistan, appears to be ancient. The area shows inhabitation as early as theBronze Age with settlements around some of the area'soasis. It is from this settlement pattern that the wordMakran, the original name of Balochistan, is derived. For a period, it was a region of theAchaemenidPersian Empire. It is believed to have beenconquered by the founder of the Persian Empire,Cyrus the Great. The capital of thesatrapy of Gedrosia wasPura, which is thought to have been located near the modernBampūr, inIranian Balochistan. During the homeward march ofAlexander the Great, hisadmiral,Nearchus, led a fleet along the modern-day Makran coast and recorded that the area was dry, mountainous, and inhabited by the "Ichthyophagoi" (or "fish-eaters"), anancient Greek rendering of theancient Persian phrase "Mahi Khorana," which has itself become the modern word "Makran".[20] After the collapse of Alexander's empire the area was ruled bySeleucus Nicator, one of Alexander's generals. The region then came underMauryan rule around 303 BCE, after Seleucus made peace with EmperorChandragupta and ceded the territory to the Mauryans.
The descendants of the original inhabitants are known asMed people, They were mentioned in the early Muslim historiography as seafarers; some of them carried piracy asBawarij in theIndian Ocean from their harbors inDebal,Kutch andKathiawar, to as far as the mouth of riverTigris andCeylon. Today they are integrated and speak Baloch and Urdu. They are related to the early Sindhi peoples of Makran such as theJadgals.
The region remained on the sidelines of history for amillennium until theArab-Muslim army captured Makran inCE 643 and over the intervening (and nearly equivalent) amount of time the area was contested by various powers. This was then followed by almost two centuries of local rule by the variousBalochtribes. The city was visited byOttomanAdmiralSeydi Ali Reis in the 1550s and mentioned in his bookMirat ul Memalik (The Mirror of Countries), 1557.[21] According to Seydi Ali Reis, the inhabitants of Gwadar wereBaloch and their chief was Malik Jelaleddin, son of Malik Dinar.
In the 15th century the Portuguese conquered parts of India and Oman. They planned to proceed with annexation of the coastal area of Makran. They attacked Gwadar under the leadership ofVasco de Gama, but under the supervision of Commander Mir Ismaheel Baloch, the Portuguese were defeated by the Baloch. A few times the Portuguese looted and set the coastal villages on fire, but they failed to capture Gwadar. Cannons of the Portuguese army were found lying near the Central Jail of Gwadar. The grave of Mir Ismaheel Baloch is situated near the Mountain of Batal Gwadar, constructed by Mir Ismaheel Baloch himself during life. He died in 1468, heirless.[22]
Towards the end of the 18th century, theKhan of Kalat,Nasir Khan I Ahmadzai, grantedsuzerainty over Gwadar toSultan bin Ahmad, the ruler ofMuscat.[23] When thesultan subsequently retook Muscat, he was to continue his rule in Gwadar by appointing awali (or "governor"). Thiswali was then ordered to subjugate the nearby coastal town ofChabahar (now in Iran). The Gwadarfort was built duringOmani rule. In the middle of the 18th century, Nasir Khan captured Gwadar and its surrounding areas after defeating the Gichki Baloch tribe and included it in theKhanate of Kalat. However, realizing that maintaining control of the area will be difficult without the support of theGichkis, Nasir Khan entered into an agreement with the local Gichki Chief, which allowed the Gichkis to maintain administrative control of the area by establishing their own separatestate of Makran, in return for furnishing half the collected revenues to Kalat. This arrangement continued till 1783. When Saiad Sultan fell out with his brother, the ruler of Muscat, and asked for help, Nasir Khan handed over Gwadar, as part of his share of revenues, to Saiad Sultan for his maintenance with the understanding that the area be returned to Kalat, when Saiad Sultan acquires the throne. Saiad Sultan ascended to the throne of Muscat in 1797 but never returned Gwadar enclave to Kalat. The ensuing struggle between the heirs of the Sultan and Khan of Kalat for possession of Gwadar, allowed the British to intervene.Telegraph lines were later extended into the town courtesy of theBritish.[citation needed] During the Omani rule various groups settled in Gwadar fromSindh such as theAl Lawati which predominantly settled in Oman proper and MuslimKanjar people who escaped British to Gwadar to escape their persecution for their nomadic lifestyle. The main twoWali of Gwadar were Saif Bin Ali (First) and Ehsan Azim also written as (Last) from 1783–1958.[24]
The British after extracting concessions from the Sultan for the use of the area facilitated Muscat retaining Gwadar. Later on, the British claimed that the area was granted to the Sultan by Mir Nasir, however, local accounts and the declassified documents of that time challenge this claim.[25] From 1863 to 1879, Gwadar was the headquarters of a British Assistant Political Agent. Gwadar was a fortnightly port of call for theBritish India Steamship Navigation Company's steamers and included a combined Post & Telegraph Office.
In 1947,Makran acceded to the newly createdDominion of Pakistan and was made a district – but Gwadar at that time was not included in Makran. In 1958, the Prime Minister of PakistanFeroz Khan Noon and his wifeViqar-un-Nisa Noon were able to convince the British Government to hand over Gwadar to Pakistan. On September 8, 1958, Oman finally handed over Gwadar to Pakistan after Prince Karim Aga Khan IV made a contribution of around $3 million USD.[26] It was given the status of aTehsil of Makran district. On 1 July 1977, Makran District was upgraded into a division and was divided into three districts ofTurbat (Kech since 1994–95),Panjgur and Gwadar.
Gwadar underwent major development from 2002 to 2007. In 2002, Pakistan'sNational Highway Authority (NHA) began construction of the 653 km-longMakran Coastal Highway linking Gwadar withKarachi viaPasni andOrmara and onwards with the rest of theNational Highways of Pakistan, which was completed in 2004. In 2003, the Gwadar Development Authority was established to oversee the planning and development of Gwadar and Gwadar Industrial Estate Development Authority was established to promote industrial activities in mega port city of Gwadar.[27] In 2004, NHA began construction of the 820-km longM-8 motorway linking Gwadar withRatodero inSindh province viaTurbat,Hoshab,Awaran, andKhuzdar and onwards with the rest of theMotorways of Pakistan. In 2006, the Gwadar Development Authority conceived, developed, and adopted a 50-year Master Plan for Gwadar,[28] which was inspired by the Chinese port city ofShenzhen.[29] In 2007, theCivil Aviation Authority of Pakistan acquired 1,700 ha (4,300 acres) to construct a newgreenfield airport, the NewGwadar International Airport 2,400 ha (6,000 acres), at an estimated cost of US$246 million.[30] It is expected to be operational by 2025.
On 3 June 2022, Prime MinisterShehbaz Sharif inaugurated the 19.49 km, six-laneGwadar East Bay Expressway, which was developed as an early harvest project under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.[31] Theexpressway connects the Gwadar Port with the Makran Coastal Highway, thus improving connectivity and helping the transportation of goods towards Karachi.[31] Other developments include 100MW Electricity import fromIran, multiple Housing Schemes, 5-star Hotels, Expo Centre, Desalination Plants on Arabian Sea, Pak-China Friendship Hospital, Aramco Oil Refinery (foreign investment from Saudi Arabia) and an ICC Standard Cricket Stadium.
In July and August 2024, theBaloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) organized the Baloch Raji Muchi ("Baloch National Gathering") in Gwadar to advocate for rights of theBaloch people. On 27 July, theFrontier Corps, a Pakistani paramilitary force, fired on participants traveling to Gwadar, injuring at least 14. The next day, security forces killed at least three protesters in Gwadar and Talar and injured dozens more.[32] On 29 July, the police used tear gas to disperse crowds, detaining key BYC organizers includingSammi Deen Baloch, Sabghatullah Shah, and Dr.Sabiha Baloch, drawing international condemnation from organizations likeAmnesty International andHuman Rights Watch.[32][33]
Gwadar is situated on the southwestern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan inGwadar District of Balochistan province. LikeOrmara further east, Gwadar is situated on a natural hammerhead-shapedtombolo peninsula forming two almost perfect, but naturally curved, semicircular bays on either side. The city is situated on a narrow and sandy 12 km-long (7 mi)isthmus which connects the Pakistani coast to rocky outcroppings in the Arabian sea known as the Gwadar Promontory, orKoh-e-Batil, which reach an elevation of 150 m (480 ft) and extend 11 km (7 mi) east to west with a breadth of 1.5 km (1 mi).[34] The 240 m (800 ft) wide isthmus upon which Gwadar is located separates the two almost perfect semicircular bays from one another. The western bay is known as thePaddi Zirr, and is generally shallow with an average depth of 3.7 m (12 ft), and a maximum depth of 9.1 m (30 ft).[34] To the east of the isthmus is the deepwaterDemi Zirr harbour, where theGwadar Port was built.
Gwadar has ahot desert climate (KöppenBWh), characterised by littleprecipitation and high variation between summer and winter temperatures. Oceanic influence from the cool currents of theArabian Sea moderates temperatures, resulting in notably cooler summer temperatures compared to areas inland and cities in thePersian Gulf such asDubai. The Arabian Sea also moderates winter temperatures, resulting in warmer winter nights as compared to inland areas.
The mean temperature in the hottest month (June) remains between 31 °C and 32 °C. The mean temperature in the coolest month (January) varies from 18 °C to 19 °C. The uniformity of temperature is a unique characteristic of the Makran Coastal region. Occasionally, winds moving down the Balochistan plateau bring brief cold spells, otherwise the winter is pleasant. In Gwadar, winters are shorter than summers. Although Gwadar is situated outside themonsoon belt, it receives light monsoon showers in summer (June–August). However, in winter,Western Disturbance can cause heavy rainfall. Annual rainfall is only 100 mm (3 inches). In June 2010, Gwadar was lashed byCyclone Phet with record-breaking rains of 372 mm and winds up to 121 km/h (75 mph).
On 27–28 February 2024, Gwadar received a rainfall of 180 millimeters over 30 hours resulting in the flooding of the coastal town.[35] Pakistan's uniformed forces and local authorities evacuated families from sub-merged localities. The floodings blocked all traffic between Gwadar and Karachi due to the damaged coastal highway that connects both the cities.[35]
| Climate data for Gwadar, Pakistan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 31.1 (88.0) | 33.0 (91.4) | 40.5 (104.9) | 44.7 (112.5) | 45.7 (114.3) | 48.0 (118.4) | 42.5 (108.5) | 39.5 (103.1) | 41.1 (106.0) | 41.0 (105.8) | 37.5 (99.5) | 33.1 (91.6) | 48.0 (118.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.1 (75.4) | 25.0 (77.0) | 28.0 (82.4) | 31.9 (89.4) | 34.2 (93.6) | 34.0 (93.2) | 32.5 (90.5) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.5 (88.7) | 32.0 (89.6) | 29.0 (84.2) | 25.0 (77.0) | 29.9 (85.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 13.8 (56.8) | 15.1 (59.2) | 18.4 (65.1) | 21.7 (71.1) | 24.9 (76.8) | 26.9 (80.4) | 26.9 (80.4) | 25.8 (78.4) | 24.4 (75.9) | 21.7 (71.1) | 18.0 (64.4) | 15.1 (59.2) | 21.1 (70.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 2.3 (36.1) | 1.3 (34.3) | 8.0 (46.4) | 12.5 (54.5) | 15.5 (59.9) | 20.0 (68.0) | 20.8 (69.4) | 20.5 (68.9) | 18.0 (64.4) | 13.0 (55.4) | 5.5 (41.9) | 0.5 (32.9) | 0.5 (32.9) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 25.9 (1.02) | 22.7 (0.89) | 13.4 (0.53) | 4.9 (0.19) | 0.1 (0.00) | 2.4 (0.09) | 6.6 (0.26) | 2.8 (0.11) | 0.2 (0.01) | 0.9 (0.04) | 3.7 (0.15) | 21.6 (0.85) | 89.8 (3.54) |
| Source:[36] | |||||||||||||
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1945 | 5,875 | — |
| 1961 | ... | — |
| 1972 | 15,794 | — |
| 1981 | 17,000 | +0.82% |
| 1998 | 45,021 | +5.90% |
| 2017 | 90,201 | +3.73% |
| 2023 | 70,852 | −3.94% |
| Sources:[37] | ||
As Gwadar was part ofSultanate of Oman during the British rule, it was excluded from all the censuses ofBritish India. According to the records of Oman from 1945, the Gwadar city had a population of 5,875.[38] The population of the city has risen to approximately 85,000 as of 2014.[39] In the 2017 census, Gwadar city had a total population of 90,762.[40]
The population of city in 2023 was 70,852 according to the2023 Census of Pakistan.[41] The population of Gwadar tehsil was 147,041 (2023).[42]
The population of Gwadar is predominantlyBaloch.[43][44] 97.5% of the population in Gwadar tehsil speak theBaloch language as themother tongue. Other spoken languages areSindhi (0.7%),Brahui (0.6%),Urdu (0.2%),Saraiki (0.2%) andPashto (0.2%).[41]
Gwadar serves as the headquarters for both the Gwadar District andGwadar Tehsil. Gwadar Tehsil is administratively subdivided into fiveunion councils.[45]
On 2 April 2021, Gwadar was granted the title of capital of South Balochistan by theBalochistan government.[3][46][47]
Gwadar is divided into 5 union councils,[48] which are further subdivided into wards:[49][50]
Gwadar's location and history have given it a unique blend of cultures. TheArabic influence upon Gwadar is strong as a consequence of theOmani era and its close proximity to theArabian peninsula.[44] Remnants of Oman era buildings can also be found in the city.
Central Asia and South Asia, encompassing the Caspian region,Central Asian republics,Afghanistan and Iran, and the energy-rich 'lake' called theCaspian Sea, is a significant region because of its huge monetary prospective and geographically vital positioning, which has formed the region as a centre piece in the international arena.[51] Iran has also declared support for the development of Gwadar and its port.[52]
The construction on a $20 billion 10-square kilometretax exempt industrial zone began on 20 June 2016.[16] The zone includes a 300MW coal powerplant exclusive for the industrial zone.[53] Despite Chinese investment, much of this development, including the power plant, remains unfinished.[54]
The Chinese share of revenue generated from Gwadar Port would be 91% while Pakistan will get 9% share.[4] China has a great strategic interest in Gwadar. In 2013, the state-owned China Overseas Port Holdings Limited acquiredGwadar Port.[55] The port is strategically important for China as sixty percent of China's oil comes from the Persian Gulf by ships traveling over 16,000 km (9,900 mi) in two to three months, confrontingpirates, bad weather, political rivals, and other risks up to its only commercial port,Shanghai. Gwadar will reduce the distance to a mere 5,000 km (3,100 mi) and also operate year-round.[56]
China is heavily dependent on Persian Gulf oil which passes through theStrait of Malacca all the way through the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Once the oil reaches China's east coast ports, it is transported thousands of kilometres inland to western China. TheGwadar Port–Karakoram Highway (KKH) route is sometimes said to be safer, cheaper and shorter than transporting the oil by ocean tanker. However, research suggests that transporting oil by roadways from Gwadar to China would be very expensive, would encounter numerous logistical difficulties such as mountainous terrain, earthquakes, disputes with India, and potential terrorist attacks, and would barely make any impact on China's overall energy security,[57] though Pakistan intends to build an oil pipeline to northern Pakistan that may allay much of these concerns.
Chinese goods flowing in the opposite direction may be able to find an easier, shorter and secure route to the Middle East. The city is also being developed as an export processing zone for foreign companies to manufacture in Gwadar before exporting to various countries in the region.[58]
As of 2024 the government of Pakistan is constructing a highway between the port of Gwadar andReko Diq Mine in Northwest Baluchistan. This will allow for the transportation of mining supplies and to the mine and concentrate by truck[59] There are also plans for a slurry line and a railroad.
Due to the Chinese interest in theGwadar Port, Pakistan believes that Gwadar will become a regional hub. Prime MinisterImran Khan laid down the foundation stone for the NewGwadar International Airport (NGIAP) at Gwadar on 29 March 2019.[60][61] New Gwadar International Airport is located in Gurandani, and is around 26 km (16 mi) northeast of Gwadar City proper,Balochistan Province. It is expected to cost $246 million and, with an area of 1,700 ha (4,300 acres), will be able to handle larger aircraft such as theAirbus A380.[30] The new airport will cater to domestic and international flights, and will have anopen skies policy.
It will be agreenfield airport, with a cargo terminal handling capacity of 30,000 tonnes a year. The single runway will measure 3,658 m (12,001 ft) in length with a width of 75 m (246 ft), to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft; if needed in the near future, there is the likely potential for a second runway to be constructed.[62] TheCAA Pakistan has awarded the design and construction contract to theChina Communications Construction Company (CCCC), and the facilities are expected to be operational by September 2023.[63][64]
As of early 2025, the airport has remained largely unused, with no commercial flights or passengers accessing it. Its full opening has been delayed by security concerns and the local unrest, due to theFree Balochistan Movement. Many residents of Gwadar feel that the economic benefits of theChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, including the airport, have not reached them, leading some critics to argue that the facility primarily serves China's strategic interests rather than the local community.[65]
Gwadar[66]
Padang, Indonesia.Literacy rate in Gwadar is estimated to be 25% in 2015.[67] According to Pakistan District Education Rankings, a report byAlif Ailaan, district Gwadar is ranked nationally at 61, with an education score of 59.47 and learning score of 62.65. Enrollment levels are low in Gwadar because of fewer schools in the district. And the level of enrollment declines as the classes move up.
The literacy rate stood at 51.5% in the 2023 census.[42]
The school infrastructure score of Gwadar is 29.91, giving it a national rank of 122. 33% of all the schools in the district cater to girls as compared to 67% schools for boys, putting girls at a greater disadvantage. Lack of science labs and subject specialists teachers are also a major concern.
Overcrowding, teachers teaching two classes at the same time, lack of science teachers and lack of playing grounds are the issues faced by the residents of Gwadar.[68]
China paid for 75 percent of the $248 million construction costs,
Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Chairman Dostain Khan Jamaldini said that the construction of Gwadar Free Zone is underway at a cost of US$2 billion.
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