While the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has been welcomed with open arms, there are inherent issues that cannot be ignored while planning out its materialisation. Gwadar is key to the development of the project; however, the area is extremely neglecte, and despite extensive development it still faces issues of water scarcity and an energy crisis as well. One of the most important steps in establishing Gwadar as a significant port involves the development of the residential part of Gwadar city and addressing the issues that people there are facing. Gwadar is slated to be a commercial and tourist hub, it will be impossible to achieve that without a large and satisfied population.

Furthermore, the fact that the city is a major participant of regional oil trade and is not developed itself is what antagonises the population and creates a sense of alienation amongst the locals. A port which is expected to be the largest port of Pakistan can only become functional if it has a well-established infrastructure. This includes a developed city, with basic necessities being guaranteed to the people. This will also give local businesses a boost and might actually change the outlook of the province of Balochistan.

The Government of Pakistan needs to see this project as a golden opportunity to make amends, to bring the people of Balochistan in the development net and negotiate their way to a political solution, which has been impossible since the last 70 years. The residents of the area should be included in the projects and effective policies need to be worked upon from now on. Development of the city of Gwadar should go hand in hand with the development of the port, development as a by-product of the port should not be their go to strategy.