ISLAMABAD: The Gwadar region has long faced a chronic shortage of electricity, causing significant inconvenience to local residents as many social institutions and public facilities are unable to ensure adequate lighting at night.
To address this issue, the Chinese Consulate General in Karachi, after extensive consultations with the local government, community representatives, and fishermen, launched the “Light Up Gwadar” initiative. This livelihood project aims to improve local living conditions by donating and installing solar street lights in Gwadar, with a focus on areas such as fishing docks and hospitals.
The project was initiated in November 2023. Overcoming challenges such as security concerns and harsh environmental conditions, the China Communications Construction Company Pakistan Branch successfully installed and tested the first batch of 73 solar street lights at five locations, including Gwadar Fish Dock, the fishing boat berth on Coastal Avenue, the East Bay Expressway outlet, and DHQ Hospital, just before Eid al-Adha in 2024.
Given that many Gwadar residents rely on fishing for their livelihood, the introduction of solar street lights will significantly enhance the safety and effectiveness of night-time fishing operations, bringing tangible improvements to local life. Fisherman Elahi Baksh expressed gratitude to the Consulate General for providing modern lighting facilities, acknowledging the substantial contributions of the Chinese government and people towards improving local living standards. He noted that in times of natural disasters and other challenges, the Chinese have always stood by the people of Gwadar, offering immediate assistance.
Previously, China has supported the local community by aiding the construction of public facilities such as airports, schools, desalination plants, and roads, and by donating fishing gear, nets, engines, food packages, and school supplies. These efforts have further solidified the “iron-clad” brotherhood between the Chinese and Pakistani people.
