Gwadar Port-Pakistan as an Axis for Regional Connectivity under CPEC: A Geographer’s Perspective

Abstract

This paper examines the geostrategic and economic significance of Gwadar port. Gwadar port is ideally located on the mouth of Strait of Hormuz near the Persian Gulf which holds 2/3 oil reserves of the world and has capacity to connect more than twenty five countries and at least two continents. Under CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor); Gwadar port has the grandiose potential not only for China as a shortest trade route in the Indian Ocean through Kashgar-Gwadar connectivity but also has embryonic tendency to become the trade hub for Pakistan and regional countries after its completion. International Relations theory of Regionalism has been embedded on the hypothetical framework of this research; How Gwadar port could become the cross junction of oil trade routes, providing shortest trade route of oil trade of and avoiding the Strait of Malacca dilemma for China. Descriptive, analytical and content analysis has been carried out based on qualitative data acquired through secondary resources. The results clearly manifests: Gwadar Port after its blossom could become fate and game changer for Pakistan and region in the economic and strategic perspective. Gwadar port will increase strategic depth and help Pakistan to monitor the Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) originating from the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Gwadar port becomes entirely functional under envisaged projects of CPEC; like Kashgar-Gwadar linkages through road, rail, optic fiber, gas and oil pipelines, infrastructural development of docking, dredging capacity of large ship harbor, economic, industrial, trade, exports and processing zones, fishing, tourism, oil refineries installations, expanding bulk cargo capacity of transshipment, construction of vocational training institute, hospitals, hotels and Gwadar airport etc. it has requisite propensity to become the future Abu Dhabi for Pakistan despite of terrorism and other International, regional irritants and challenges.