LAHORE: Former national security adviser Lt Gen Nasir Khan Janjua (retd) on Monday underscored Pakistan’s untapped geostrategic potential, asserting that Gwadar could emerge as an axis of global commerce, redirecting international trade flows towards Pakistan.
Addressing a ceremony at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Janjua said Pakistan had yet to fully recognise the significance of its geography, which positioned it as a natural bridge linking the Middle East, Central Asia, China and Europe. He maintained that Balochistan, particularly Gwadar, held the capacity to transform not only Pakistan’s economy but also regional trade dynamics.
Describing Gwadar as a “divine blessing”, he said the port could evolve into a central gateway for global trade in the coming years. He noted that Pakistan’s historical role as a buffer zone, compounded by prolonged instability in Afghanistan, had directly affected its development trajectory, yet the country had remained resilient in the face of sustained regional challenges.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, Janjua said a significant proportion of the world’s oil supplies passed through the narrow maritime corridor. He suggested that a shift towards alternative energy and overland trade routes via Gwadar could enhance Pakistan’s global relevance and create new corridors for energy and commerce.
He further argued that India’s geographic constraints would ultimately necessitate access through Pakistan for connectivity with Central Asia and Europe. “Countries seeking transit routes must engage Pakistan on the basis of mutual respect and equality,” he said, adding that future trade and energy corridors were likely to pass through Pakistan, elevating its strategic standing.
Janjua said Gwadar had the potential to anchor a new regional trade architecture, connecting diverse regions through integrated transport and energy networks. He observed that the world was entering a phase of rapidly shifting trade routes, with Pakistan well placed to play a central role in this transition.
The event also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the LCCI and Gwadar Gymkhana aimed at promoting economic collaboration.
LCCI President Faheemur Rehman Sehgal said Punjab was the most populous province while Balochistan, the largest by area, offered vast economic opportunities. He noted that Gwadar Port’s strategic importance was steadily increasing and would prove pivotal to Pakistan’s economic future.
Mr Sehgal emphasised that a strong economy underpinned national defence, adding that coordinated efforts between the business community, political leadership and armed forces could accelerate national progress. He pointed to investment opportunities in Gwadar and Balochistan, and stressed that promoting tourism in the province could place it among the world’s leading destinations.
Gwadar Gymkhana Chairman Ahmed Iqbal Baloch said Balochistan had long possessed immense potential, though hostile elements had attempted to hinder its development. He added that conditions were improving and the pace of progress was picking up.
“Gwadar sits at a critical global crossroads and can rightly be termed a goldmine,” he said, expressing optimism about growing international interest and pledging to advance development through enhanced cooperation, investment and connectivity.
