Udhoorey Khawb (unfinished dreams)

Gwadar, a small fishing village purchased from Oman in 195I that was promised to be the new economic hub of Pakistan. Gwadar's warm watered deep sea port was finished in 2007 and from water, temperatures, geography, size, it has has enormous trade potential and all that it needs to become the next Singapore or Dubai. So it was very understandable when I saw many of our friends and family purchasing land or investing in Gwadar. Not only Pakistanis, many international players were in the picture as well when it came to developing Gwadar port. 

I had never been to Gwadar, so obviously really looking forward to this work trip. I stayed in the Pearl Continental Hotel, constructed on top of the Mountain with water on three of its four sides, is definitely the grandest structure in the town. Lofty views from all windows, Hashwanis did an outstanding job on this wonderful piece of luxury and it was a treat staying there. Did feel pretty royal... since the hotels services and schedule were contingent upon what I needed and when I needed them. Actually the hotel was partially closed and the only two rooms occupied were of my team and ofcourse when the hotel run their services, around your schedule, how much more fun your stay becomes. 

Outside the hotel was another story. Several places around the town were reminiscent of development that was once planned or even started but never carried through completely. Below is a picture of the beach where a sign stands saying "Site for the Seaside Public Park" Its been years....

One of the streets sill has a string of the solar panel lights watching you with unlit lamps with lost or stolen batteries telling you a story of dreams never realized 

Here is the Sports Complex where teams could have been playing football, families could have been sitting and cheering there teams and communities enjoying a fun filled Saturday but the arena remains empty with howling winds blowing empty pieces of glass and paper from one corner to another.  

What you see behind me in this picture is what was constructed to become the Gwadar Gymkhana Club with all its hussle and bussle of games, swimming, golf, a diverse crowd of many nationalities enjoying he facility, a haven for the elderly who were choosing to retire in the so-called well planed town of Gwadar, atleast that's what it was imagined to become.

I am so glad that I took this trip and met locals and saw the place I had been hearing about for years. But I left with a heavy heart, a heart filled with sadness and grief. Thinking of the large static cranes belonging to the Port of Singapore Authority standing like aliens watching over the sheer poverty and deprivation of the Balochi fishermen. Thinking of the dirty beaches littered with trash, idle children running behind donkey carts, widows  looking for any work to support their families and unfinished structures of development that look into your eyes and mockingly tell a story of how the leaders of this blessed country have robbed them once again.