Gwadar, the coastal district of Makran division, has the smallest geographical area and population among the three districts of the division. Its population density and its male/female ratio is also lower than the ones of the other two districts, i.e., Kech and Panjgur. The problem of either unavailability or inconsistency of data do exist in Gwadar. E.g. in the 1981 census housing characteristics are unavailable for the rural areas. Girls were under-represented in the age group from 5 to 20 years, which shows, that the enumerators have not been able to get to the real picture. Since 1981 there has been no population census conducted anyway. Data on agriculture and livestock lack internal consistency. Livestock data received from the District Livestock department at the time of the 1996 livestock census in some districts differ completely from those which have been calculated through a recent livestock mission sponsored by the P&DD. According to local sources of information, fisheries related figures are also doubtful. The land settlement has not yet been completed resulting in disputes over land ownership. Even recently established HMIS data seems to differ from the reality, as was the case with the number of female doctors. Under these circumstances development planning seems a hard task. It is obvious, that data collection has to be improved at "entrance", i.e. on district level or below. Development planning will benefit from reliable data, which may be collected, processed, aggregated and analysed at the lowest possible level, i.e. on district level or even lower. At this moment, however there is no adequate infrastructure available for such exercise at the lower levels of government and below.

The role of "below" government level is unclear at the moment. The traditional forms of organisation within Gwadar have been fading away without new ones being established yet. Society goes currently through a transition period from traditional forms of organisation into forms of organisation, that are related to government, e.g. like the Water management Associations or the Village Education Committees. The process of transition is not yet analysed and the lack of clear definition of responsibilities of the various actors in the development process leads to un-clarity and lack of initiative.

The role of local government institutions is limited in development planning although many of the local councils in Gwadar district are performing well. The fisheries-based economy has led many of the Gwadar local councils towards financial self-reliance. The fiscal balance of the district is appreciable as the district earns about one third (33.3%) of its expenditure through revenues and 14.1 percent of the total budget is spent on development activities. The situation may improve if the local councils are given more financial autonomy. Currently development planning is mainly done from federal or provincial level down, without much involvement of the lower levels of government. Implementation of development activities is mainly done through the line departments. On district level, the Deputy Commissioner may play an active role.

Gwadar district still has lot of potential for fisheries development. A potential of at least 70,000 tonnes of fish is not yet caught on annual basis. Besides a lot of fish is caught by others, not residing in Gwadar, and therefore not processed and marketed from there. Gwadar actually misses the income from it. More viable legislation and strict implementation of the law is necessary to protect the interest of local fishermen. Fish processing and packing are most needed and feasible projects which can be started here. Regular electricity supply can facilitate such industry in Gwadar. Another area of small enterprise development is of net and boat-making. At present nets are either imported from abroad or manufactured at Karachi. Their cost is beyond affordability of the local fishermen. Boat-making is a local craft, but these craftsmen do not have capital to start their own production. In order to develop these sectors provision of capital financing and of infrastructure, including electricity and roads, are two major development issues.

The potential for Gwadar to become a deep sea port may not only allow the local fisherman to export their catch directly and, consequently, can earn more money, but, if materialised, it may function as a trade link with other parts of Balochistan, or even with other Central Asian states.

Fisheries is the major economic sector, in which the majority of the population is involved. According to the official figures per capita fish catch value was Rs. 6,390 per annum in 1995. With the agricultural income per capita of about Rs. 2,300 and the one of livestock of about Rs. 800 per capita, the per capita income from these three productive sectors is Rs. 9,490.

Agriculture is a relatively less emphasised economic sector in Gwadar as less than 0.2 percent of the total geographical area is under cultivation, which produces only 3.4 percent of the total divisional agricultural produce. Agricultural development can be promoted by introducing new crops, like oil seeds, which can grow on brackish water. The horticultural sector can also be developed by motivating people to plant more coconuts, guavas and mangoes, etc. There is a need for provision of physical as well as technical inputs to motivate the potential farmers. As the fishing activities are either halted or slowed down from May to September, agriculture can be a suitable alternative for the fishermen. In this regard the role of the Agriculture Department has to be made more effective and supportive.

Gwadar has little potential for livestock development. The livestock unit density and per capita livestock unit ratio of the district, is low in comparison to Balochistan, it is the highest in comparison to the division. Livestock raising is not at par with the other parts of Balochistan. Livestock farming may be a supplementary source of income but the main sources remain fishing and agriculture.

Gwadar has potential for industrial development as the proposal of becoming a deep-sea port has been analysed to be economically viable. The related proposed road network may improve the currently poor linkages with the hinterland and may make Gwadar a trade centre.

The district has the capability to provide logistics to the whole division through its sea route. It can also absorb the unemployed population from within the division, if industrial development is addressed towards this proposed deep-sea port area. The area can be connected to Karachi and other ports in the region through the sea route and delivery of finished goods to the markets can be facilitated.

Fisheries related industries, like boat making, net making, fish processing and fish packing, have an ample chance to grow. Similarly, tourism can be another potential sector to be developed as the vast coastal line can serve as tourist resort. The needed action is the provision of necessary infrastructure, specially regular electricity supply and financial support.

In Gwadar women seem to be comparatively rather independent economically, but that does not mean that they have equal opportunities. E.g. in small business there are no credit facilities available to women. Their role in e.g. trades like handicrafts and net making is not acknowledged. Men and women remain poles apart, despite the sharing of responsibilities. As unpaid labour of women is common, it goes unacknowledged. This invisibility is a constraint, which needs to be highlighted.

Gwadar is the only district in Balochistan, where whole the population is claimed to have access to safe drinking water through the water supply schemes. However there is a need for more careful estimates about population coverage, as contrary to the claims, people of some areas do not have access to safe drinking water at all.

Although Gwadar has the lowest number of people per hospital bed and the highest health expenditure by the government per capita among the three districts of Makran, there was - at the time of the field visit - not one single Lady Medical Officer in the whole district and the male/female ratio among paramedical staff is among the highest as well in the province. The district headquarters hospital is an example of neglecting behaviour. Many posts of specialists are vacant and the specialists, who have been posted here, do not like to stay in Gwadar. The people are being kept deprived of modern dental treatment without any significant reason, while equipment have been provided long ago. The centralised system of medicine procurement has been proved useless as it cannot serve the area-specific needs.

The girls’ pupil-teacher ratio at primary level needs attention of the educational planners to bring Gwadar at par with the divisional level. Girls within the district do not have equal educational opportunities, in particular in reference to the girls/teachers ratio, which is among the highest in the province. In 1996, the enrolment ratio for girl students at primary level was 26.2 percent, which dropped to 18.8 percent at middle, 13.3 percent at high, and to 12 percent at the college level. There is only one girls’ high school in the whole district, which is without electricity and science teacher. The girls college has no staff and no building. Without female education, it may not be possible to locate local female health or education professionals.

In reference to environmental issues the Sand Dune Stabilisation project, or anything alike to plant trees, needs to be encouraged. Salt-resistant trees may be emphasised for economic reasons as well as to prevent wind-erosion. In more urban areas the under-development of sewerage and solid waste disposal need to be addressed.

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