China to run Pakistani naval port

Pakistani officials announced that China would take control of operations for the strategic port of Gwadar, with the aim of creating a naval base for Pakistan, the Wall Street Journal reported. While China constructed the Gwadar port, it is currently operated by PSA International, a Singaporean state-backed firm, which has a 40 year contract to run the facilities, though the contract has been challenged in court. “We are grateful to the Chinese government for constructing Gwadar Port, However, we will be more grateful to the Chinese government if a naval base is being constructed at the site of Gwadar for Pakistan,” Ahmad Mukhtar, the country’s defense minister, was quoted as saying. The port is well-positioned for trade with Central Asia and as a supply point for Chinese oil imports, but is currently underused, with domestic political conflict hampering its commercial potential.