Quetta: Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan chaired a high-level review meeting on the administrative, financial, and development affairs of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA).
The session was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Development Zahid Saleem and senior officials, while GDA Director General Moin-ur-Rehman Khan joined via video link.
The DG briefed the Chief Secretary on ongoing and completed projects in Gwadar, highlighting efforts to modernize the city under the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan and to provide citizens with essential urban services.
He noted that GDA is actively engaged in municipal services including road and street cleaning, beach maintenance, drainage and sewerage upkeep, tree plantation, water supply management, and monitoring of construction activities to curb illegal structures.
The meeting also reviewed GDA’s administrative framework, human resources, financial matters, and budgetary requirements. The DG outlined progress on current and new projects, allocation of development funds, and the need for additional resources.
On water supply, he explained that with reduced levels at Sood Dam, water is currently being pumped daily from Shadi Kaur to Gwadar city. Due to the absence of electricity at the pumping station, generators are being used, leading to higher fuel and operational costs.
He stressed the need for additional funding and informed that a PC-1 for installing a dedicated feeder line from Pasni Grid Station has already been submitted for provincial approval.
The DG also highlighted facilities provided to citizens, including sports grounds, parks, recreational sites, GDA School, GDA Hospital, road networks, fisheries infrastructure, jetties, and breakwaters. Special mention was made of projects under the Old Town Rehabilitation Plan, such as the transformation of Mulla Fazil Chowk into a modern commercial hub and the upgrading of Demi Zar Road with new drainage and beautification measures.
The Chief Secretary directed GDA to explore new revenue streams, ensure efficient use of resources, and prepare actionable proposals for financial stability.
He also advised examining the possibility of outsourcing the GDA School to a credible institution, following the successful outsourcing model of the GDA Hospital, to ensure quality education while reducing administrative costs.
He instructed that comprehensive recommendations on revenue generation, financial self-reliance, the future management model of GDA School, and resource mobilization from non-development budgets be presented at the next GDA Governing Body meeting.
The meeting expressed satisfaction over GDA’s measures for sustainable urban development, improvement of basic facilities, timely completion of projects, and strengthening of administrative and financial systems.