Gwadar is a district in the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. The word Gwadar arises from (Balochi language) Gwat and Dar, which means door of air or the gate to prosperity. Gwadar District has 600 kilometers (370 m) long coastline along the Gulf of Oman of the Arabian sea. It is a port city on the southwestern coast of Balochistan, Pakistan. Gwadar is near the border of Iran, located to the east of Persian Gulf and opposite of Oman. It was an overseas possession of Oman from 1783 to 1958. This city is located on the shores of the Arabian sea, nearly 700 kilometers to the west of Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi.
In 1783, The Khan Mir Noori Naseer Khan Baloch permitted suzerainty over Gwadar to the defeated ruler of Muscat, Taimur Sultan. When the Sultan eventually retook Muscat, he was to continue his rule in Gwadar by nominating a wali (or governor). This wali was then legislated to conquer the nearby coastal town of Chah Bahar, which is now in Iran. On 7th September 1958, after four years of negotiation, Pakistan acquired the Gwadar enclave from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman for USD 3 million. Gwadar legally became a part of Pakistan on December 8, 1958.
Gwadar port was inaugurated in 2007 by ex-president General Pervez Musharraf, and it is among the major trading spots that give it strategic importance while also providing one of the most heavenly views of the Arabian sea with clear water. Gwadar port was built with the assistance of China. Throughout the world, tourists are drawn in by its beauty as well as potential business deals that are leading to the development of the port; for instance, the CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) initiative. Massive development is currently taking place in Gwadar Port; it is an operation which is set to handle about 4 percent of the total world trade by 2020. The port has great potential to accommodate the import and export procedure from Central Asia to the Middle East and has now become a regional economic hub. It is not only going to benefit China and Pakistan but also Afghanistan, Iran, the Central Asian states and the Eastern region within the next few years.
Gwadar is among the most fascinating coastlines, a paradise for fishermen where you can enjoy fresh fish and spectacular views. It is surrounded by the seashore from three sides and two beautiful mountains known as Koh-a- Mehdi and Koh-a-Bathail. Gwadar presents us with the most spectacular scenery on each side, one can simply not help hold their breath in wonder and awe. Overlooking the Hingol National Park and the wondrous natural carvings, it provides a spectacular view highlighting mighty hills and rough terrain.
The lifestyle of the Baloch people in Gwadar is unique in its fashion. The people belong to Baloch Tribes and they all speak Balochi language. Baloch culture is full of traditional arts and crafts, Balochi embroidery is one such example. Marriages in this region are unique in their own sense and celebrations are quite delightful. The marriages take place in accordance with the Islamic principles. Every member of the family takes part in the marriage and symbolizes their gratification and intimacy by singing and dancing traditionally. The famous wedding songs Salonk from bride and Nazenk from the groom are sang. The Baloch culture is rich in folk music, dance, and songs. A common Baloch folk dance known as Dochaap, is performed by men and women in segregation. In Dochaap, everyone moves in a circle clapping their hands on certain occasions.
The dressing manner is also appealing. Female dress consists of a shirt having big pocket with traditional embroidery and a big shawl/chadar is draped to cover the head. Turban is the most common headwear of Baloch men along with a knee-long shirt and a wide shalwar. The most loved food in Gwadar is fish, with dishes constituting fish gravy and fried fish, which are consumed along with rice or bread. In the past, the overall meal of the people of Gwadar was dependent on fish, and if that wasn’t accessible, it meant that the meal of the day had not been prepared. The people of Gwadar prefer using their hands to eat in place of spoon and fork, and men and women have meals in different rooms.
In the past, the education system in Gwadar was quite informal; however, due to the struggle of some great local people like Abdul Majeed Sohrabi and Zahoor Shah Hashmi along with friends, two primary schools were established in the region, which further went on to serve as secondary high schools. Now, officially, there are two inter colleges (Government Girls and Boys Degree Colleges, Gwadar). One can even find a number of English medium private schools and English language coaching centers in the area as well. Presently, the people also have an opportunity to take up a variety of vocational courses such as a beautician course or a Chinese language course, among others. Furthermore, Gwadar is fast transitioning into a well-developed and progressive city and will soon be a dream place for everyone to visit.
