CPEC and Gwadar

There is a lot of media hype around the CPEC and the future utility of the Gwadar Port. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed for Gwadar to become a commercial seaport that is capable of handling all kinds of vessels. I say Gwadar because the whole idea of the corridor would be meaningless without its development to the required international standards.
Initially, the existing port of Gwadar was developed in order to have an alternate seaport further away from the Indian coast. The present setup at Gwadar consists only of two to three jetties that cannot handle deep draft ships. For Gwadar to be a fully developed commercial deep seaport it should have at least 15 to 20 jetties for berthing large cargo ships and oil tankers. Has the government started thinking about its further expansion? For any meaningful utility of this port it should also have all-weather hinterland connectivity in the form of a road/rail network in the economic corridor. In all such mega projects time is of great essence. The government has till now not indicated any timeframe for the completion of the road network and additional berthing facilities at the port. Apart from these there is a dire need to show political cohesiveness to counter the Indian propaganda.
Cdre (r) Sajjad Ali Shah Bokhari
Islamabad