Gwadar Watch Thread

Gwadar, situated at Pakistan's south-west coast are going to be Pakistan's new energy port and hub for storage and refining. Gwadar is a gigantic project. In addition to becoming a huge energy port and hub, it will become a "Las Vegas" with lots of tourist hotels and casinos. Huge investments have been made in this project. The Chinese have invested at least over $200 Billion (two hundred Billion dollars!) in Gwadar alone, and they are also planning a naval base there! Look at the map, it's a very strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz. They want to secure supply of oil and gas from Iran via Gwadar to China.

But there are obstacles... There's a lot of unrest in and around Gwadar. Explosions and sabotage actions against oil facilities and hotels happens all the time. Lots of Chinese engineers have been killed in Gwadar. "Insurgents" are supplied with weapons, etc. to cause trouble. Taliban is present. And in addition, the local population are getting ripped off by their government, and they are poor and angry about this whole thing. There's a proxy war. India for instance, does not like the idea of a Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean. And India does not like Pakistan, but that's old news.

Musharraf has approved a mass transit railway system to connect Gwadar via Chitral to Tajikistan and China. Those trains will be Chinese made, of course.

Business Recorder: President approves mass transit system for 8 cities: rail network to link Gwadar with China and Tajikistan ((July 30 2006))

Other Means: The White Elephant of Gwadar?


Consider also the possibility that the security situation is now so poor in the area surrounding the port - and more widely in the surrounding province of Balochistan - that even the port's authorities are reportedly questioning whether the facility can become operational in the near term.

Couldn't Gwadar and Balochistan thus become the scene of a proxy conflict between China-Pakistan and India? It may already be so, with the Pakistani regime mainly propped up by the Chinese and its military supplied with Chinese weapons, while there have been accusations of India supplying arms to the Baloch.

General Pervez Musharraf: Gwadar Port: first phase to be operational within next two months

July 30 2006


Gwadar a new economic hub of Pakistan is located at the entrance of Persian Gulf.It has immense geo economic significance.

With the functioning of Gwadar port Pakistan will become a key player in the Gulf region and serving as an energy corridor for Central Asia, South Asia and Western Part of China.

Gwadar is situated at a location where 40 percent oil ships are passing.

This Gwadar project is so huge and important, it should be watched closely. If someone pushes the wrong button, it means BIG trouble! If the US starts bombing oil facilities in Iran for instance, China will be very angry. Add stuff you find related to current events in Gwadar, or feel free to add your comments instead. Or both

[edit on 1-9-2006 by sanctum]

Did I read this correctly - China has it's own Taliban/Muslim Extremist problem going on? If that's so, it isn't making the news. Guess it shouldn't surprise me. The communist Chinese and the radical Islamics aren't known for being sources of truthful information. Wonder how China deals with the Taliban and extremist muslims? I am now wondering about their tolerance and what they do with 'prisoners' from that area. Interesting. I'm sure our GITMO is a tropical paradise compared to what the Chinese probably secretly have going on ....

Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti was murdered by Musharraf's troops. This murder is major, so look out for tsunami effect on this one. (Btw, Bugti said in 1973 that men in tin foil hats were running the province... )

Here are some quotes from articles submitted to the web today:

Bugti Murder -Shocked Into Sensibility

THE year was perhaps 1973. There was a meeting of the federal executive council of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists in Quetta . Nawab Akbar Bugti was prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s choice then as governor of Balochistan.

When some of us sought to ask for details about the military operation, Nawab Bugti said: ‘Why ask me? Ask the men in the tin hats. They are running the province.’ They are still doing it, with ever more frightening consequences appearing daily before us.

All this is extremely clichéd, but unless we repeatedly hold a mirror to our faces we will never fully understand what we have done to ourselves or why the killing of Nawab Bugti is being viewed with such grave foreboding by so many. Even whatever development we plan for Balochistan is now in jeopardy, and certainly the future of Gwadar Port , a project already a subject of dispute in the local/non-local context, has a big question mark over it.

Why fuss over Balochistan?


China has three requirements to maintain its growth: transit trade route for its western region, energy corridor to import oil from the Gulf region, and naval facilities for a foothold on the Arabian Sea coast to protect its energy supply line from the Middle East. The Gwadar Port could help China in enhancing its energy security by offering a transit terminal for oil imports from the Middle East and the Gulf region.

Musharraf will repent Bugti's killing


A large number of Chinese technocrats have been working in Gwadar. Last year Balochs killed many Chinese engineers and other technicians. The Chinese embassy pressed Pakistan Government for security of their personnel.

The rail and road connectivity under construction would connect Sinkiang with Balochistan's port city of Gwadar. The strategic partnership between China and Pakistan is not in the field of nuclear armaments only but China has greater stakes in the promotion of its commercial enterprises as well as naval encirclement of India. Chinese are doing the same on Myanmar front and have embarked on diplomatic manoeuvring in Bangladesh. Baloch fear all these Chinese-dominated developmental activities.

President of Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf


Musharraf apparently signed a peace deal with the Taliban on September 5th. Taliban is not a threat to him, but the Baloch freedom-fighters is. So instead of fighting a two-front war, he can now divert more troops and equipment (given by the US for counter-terrorism operations) to Balochistan. This move will likely lead to more Taliban attacks against the NATO forces in southern Afghanistan. Musharraf may even get help from the Taliban against the Balochs...

South Asia Analysis Group: MUSHARRAF SEEKS TALIBAN'S HELP AGAINST BALOCHS- INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM MONITOR--PAPER NO. 116

06.09. 2006


Osama bin Laden himself and his No.2 Ayman al-Zawahiri live separately. They keep moving between North Waziristan, the adjoining Bajaur agency and the Chitral area adjoining the Northern Areas (Gilgit and Baltistan).

[---]

They reportedly pointed out that the activities of the Baloch freedom-fighters posed a threat to Pakistan's unity and territorial integrity whereas the activities of the remnants of the Al Qaeda and the Taliban did not pose a threat to Pakistan's unity and territorial integrity. They, therefore, urged that Musharraf should reach a cease-fire with the tribals in the FATA area and divert the troops deployed there in support of the operations of the US-led forces in Afghanistan to Balochistan.

12. Since the beginning of this year, Musharraf started shifting some of the troops and equipment given by the US for counter-terrorism operations in the FATA to Balochistan.

[---]

14. This peace agreement was signed on September 5, 2006.

[---]

19. His first national security priority now is to crush the Baloch freedom struggle.He is hoping that the peace agreement with the Talibanised tribals of North Waziristan would enable him not only to divert more troops to Balochistan, but also to seek the help of the Taliban elements in Balochistan in his operations against the Balochs.

[---]

22. The Miranshah agreement should be a cause for concern not only to the Balochs, but also to the NATO forces in Afghanistan. It is likely to lead to an intensification of the Taliban attacks in Afghan territory from Balochistan.

Click the link to read the whole thing...


Mullah Mohammad Omar

Related Threads:
Timber Smuggling With Rockets in Chitral, Pakistan
Musharraf: Catch Bin Laden Somewhere Else
Al Qaeda Establish Islamic State In Pakistan

Originally posted by FlyersFan
Did I read this correctly - China has it's own Taliban/Muslim Extremist problem going on? If that's so, it isn't making the news.

There is a Uyghur (Turkic, not to be confused with Turkish, Sunni Islamic) group in China called the East Turkestan Islamic Movement that has been designated a terrorist organization. They want to create East Turkestan.

It's been claimed before that they have groups operating in Pakistan, but I'm not sure what area.

Al Qaeda is strong in Pakistan and Musharraf is weak. There are concerns over the control of Pakistani nuclear weapons. Alexis Debat (one of the premier experts in Washington on Pakistan) believes that the murder of Nawab Akbar Bugti was done without Musharraf's orders.

Counterterrorism Blog: Pakistan Expert Discusses Powerful Al Qaeda-Taliban Network in Waziristan

September 13, 2006


Musharraf is weaker than ever. He is slowly losing the military, his best ally, as indicated in the killing of Baluch tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti on August 26, which Alexis believes was done without Musharraf's orders. Other elites in Pakistan, including lower levels of the ISI (Pakistani intel) are also turning against him and the U.S., for a variety of reasons (more detailed than needed for this post). This also raises concerns over the control of Pakistani nuclear weapons. The timing of the recent North Waziristan "peace agreement" was probably purposeful and further highlights Musharraf's weakness.

The Pakistani Senate was informed today that the Gwadar Port will be operational by Dec 30, 2006. 90 per cent of phase 1 has been completed.


Another interesting article from today:
International Crisis Group - Pakistan: The Worsening Conflict in Balochistan

Btw, I made a new thread based on the post further up on this page regarding the Pakistani deal with the Taliban: President Musharraf Made A Deal With The Taliban

Balochi leader Marri warned in an exclusive interview that the war for Balochistan's liberation is going to intensify. He mentioned the Gwadar Port specifically and said they (Balochistan Liberation Army) "will drive out all Punjabis from the Gwadar area". The Balochis are no longer interested in autonomy, but want complete independence...

Bugti Probe Demanded - Gwadar Port Is A "Conspiracy"

Sind nationalists and the Balochis demands a probe to be held into the killing of Bugti. The Gwadar Port project was termed a "conspiracy" at a Sind nationalists meeting in Hyderabad.



Why was Bugti killed and who was behind it?

Originally posted by Dark Vader in this post

we learned that a Baloch leader was killed, Bugti. The truth about his death is that Beijing had a contract on him.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is going to visit Pakistan in November. Gwadar Port is on top of the agenda.

Pakistan is concerned that India might be modernizing its nuclear arsenal with more and better nukes with support from the US...

hmm can't blame India for wanting more weapons when they know what is going in the region and that Musharraf can't stay in power forever. What a slippery slope this is becoming!!!

thanks for keep us posted Hellmutt.

More trouble for the Gwadar project's future. A grand jirga (the first in 126 years) was held in Kalat. 85 (or 95?) Balochi leaders and 300 elders announced that a case would be filed to the International Court of Justice. They specifically protested mega projects such as the Gwadar Port. Musharraf has previously claimed that 72 tribal chiefs were supporting his policy. This jirga announcement proves him wrong...


Related News Links:
The Hindu: Baloch leaders for pre-1947 status
DailyIndia.com: Baloch chiefs to approach International Court of Justice
Indian Muslims: Baloch chiefs to approach International Court of Justice

Pakistan will import 100 megawatt of electricity from Iran to Gwadar. Gwadar is the largest and most important project. There are other mega projects as well and UAE is also investing alot in Pakistan. They are going to build a new state of the art city near Karachi.

Originally posted by Hellmutt

Musharraf apparently signed a peace deal with the Taliban on September 5th. Taliban is not a threat to him, but the Baloch freedom-fighters is. So instead of fighting a two-front war, he can now divert more troops and equipment (given by the US for counter-terrorism operations) to Balochistan. This move will likely lead to more Taliban attacks against the NATO forces in southern Afghanistan. Musharraf may even get help from the Taliban against the Balochs...

Thanks for the posts Hellmut. Good observation. And that is actually happening to NATO.

Is it just because of Bejing's friendship Pak is against their own Balochs. Pak killings are because of Bejings's own energy needs Very disturbing. Why China needs to set up a naval base in Pak region? Why Pak allows this?

Knowing all the developement why US is still with Pak? And loads of arms deal to Pak? Isn't it this indirect help to Bejing? Oh... the US, looks worse than Pak Can't understand anything.

[edit on 1-10-2006 by CosmicScorpion]

India has put on hold plans by a Dubai-based company to construct a trans-shipment terminal in India, because the company has been involved in the Gwadar project.

The Chinese continues their investments in Gwadar and are increasing their presence in Balochistan.

Pakistan has awarded the contract to manage the Gwadar Port to Singaporean port operator PSA International. They will take control by the third week of January.


Related News Sources:
Islamic Republic News Agency: Port of Singapore to operate Pakistan's Gwadar port: minister
People's Daily Online -- Port of Singapore to operate Pakistan's Gwadar port
Channelnewsasia.com: PSA International to run Pakistan's new port of Gwadar
Gulf Times: Singapore to manage Gwadar port
Reuters via Yahoo! Asia News: Singapore's PSA to run Pakistan's Gwadar port

Gwadar will get a desalination plant. Right now there's no water resource available in the area. The demand for water in Gwadar will be high and the cost to transport water there will be too much. The solution is to make a desalination plant.



[edit on 2006/12/29 by Hellmutt]

It is said that the recent riots in Pakistan, (brought on by the sacking of a judge) were because of Gwadar. President Musharraf sacked the judge over his supposed objections to giving Singapore the 40 year contract to run the port.

It has also been reported that the port will now be operational March 20th 2007.

[edit on 3/18/07 by makeitso]