Gwadar is a town and seaport in Pakistan’s southwestern Arabian Sea coastline in Balochistan province. Located on a sandy hill extending southward into the Arabian Sea, the city is an important fishing (sardines and sharks) trade center.
If you are more of a visual person, then please watch the following video, which summarizes my Gwadar City trip in 3 minutes:
Gwadar became a component of the sultanate of Muscat and Oman in 1797. However, it was not until 1958 that Oman gave up the town and annexed the hinterland to Pakistan.
The population of the city is 235000, and it covers an area of 15210 sq km. Its coastline stretches for approximately 600 km. District Gwadar has four Tehsils: Jiwani, Pasni, and Ormara.
History of Gwadar
In 1983, the Khan of Kalat granted freedom over Gwadar to the Taimur Sultan, the defeated ruler of Muscat. When the Sultan subsequently recovered Muscat, he continued his rule in Gwadar by appointing a Governor. On 8 September 1958, Pakistan bought the Gwadar enclave from Oman for Rs. 5.5 million. On 8 December 1958, the city officially became part of Pakistan.
The day Gwadar got its official declaration was Eid. It was once a fishing village of a few thousand people, which later expanded into a city of nearly ninety thousand people. The town has a Hindu temple and an Ismaili Jamaat khana. It’s a testimonial that Gwadar during and after the Arab rule was a distinct town. It still is today.
With Pakistan’s purchase, the Arab period came to an end here. However, the journey of Gwadar from a small fishing village to a port city has not taken away its residents’ golden thoughts of that period.
Thousands of Gwadar locals are dual nationals of Pakistan and Oman. They continue to live and work between the two countries.
A large number of people from Makran also serve in Oman’s army. A significant number are part of the Bahrain police. Many work in Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain and send transmittals to Pakistani families. Those who are settled permanently provide economic support to their families here.
The city’s position is strategically at the summit of the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Persian Gulf. District Gwadar boundary spots Awaran and Lasbella on the east, Iran on the west, the Arabian Sea on the south, and District Kech on the north.
Climate
Gwadar is 0-300 meters above sea level and is mainly dry, arid, and hot. The oceanic sway keeps the temperature lower in summer and higher in winter. As compared to the inland in Gwadar, winters are shorter than summers. The weather of city has hot summers with a maximum temperature of 35 Celsius, and its temperature falls up to 13 Celsius during January and February.
Economy
The Economy of Gwadar has, in the past, been dependent mostly on fishing. Still, now its Economy is changing as the city is slowly converting into a significant port city.
The middle-income group can find family-friendly resorts for around Rs6,000 per night. While restaurants are now typical in Gwadar, the food available at hotels is pleasant.
Gwadar is one of those cities now which has become a favorite tourist destination. It is included in the wish list of tourists as well. I spent two days here during my visit.
5 Impressive Places to Visit in Gwadar
Let us know five of the best places in Gwadar that anyone should visit during his stay in the city.
1. Gwadar Beach Library
It is the only beach library in Pakistan. There are two such types of libraries globally, and one of them is in Gwadar. There are about 2000 books in this library. 10 to 11 people can read books here at a time. The staff of the library organizes a weekly study circle here regularly.
2. Gwadar Cricket Stadium
In recent days this stadium has got international fame. After its construction, this stadium earned national and international media attention in just two months after its construction. The natural beauty of this stadium is the mountains that surround it.
While sharing pictures of this stadium, ESPN and ICC wrote: is there a more picturesque stadium than the Gwadar cricket stadium? The locals and district administration have played an essential role in bringing this stadium into such shape. The maintenance of this stadium is under the control of the Pakistan Army.
3. Karemuk Hotel
This karemuk hotel in the shahi Bazar of Gwadar is essential for anglers. Karemuk hotel is one of the memories of oman. It was once a bakery whose Arab owner sold it to a local. People spend their time here telling stories to others. Throughout the year there is no holiday in this hotel.
Next to karemuk hotel is the famous Khuda Baksh halwai. People purchase sweets from Khuda Baksh halwai and visit the karemuk hotel for tea.
It is the ancestral area of the chairman hashwani group Sadar Uddin Hashwani.
4. Oman Fort
Three forts were constructed during the Omani rule, while wireless lines later spread into the town. These three forts of Shahi Bazaar remind people about the Omani rule.
This fort was turned into a museum in 2007 after the ministry of heritage and culture of the Sultanate of Oman restored it on the directions of Sultan Qaboos bin Said during his state visit to Pakistan in 2001. General (r) Pervez Musharraf, the then president of Pakistan, inaugurated the fort on March 20, 2007.
Many items of Omani time are a part of this museum. For example, items made from peesh trees are available here. A beautiful mosque is also a part of this fort. This fort is in near Shahi Bazar.
5. Sunset
If you visit this beach library, do not come without watching the sunset view. After the sunset of jiwani, the sunset view is breathtaking. If you ever come here, the scene of sunset should be on your must-do list.
Hopefully, this blog will inspire you to visit Gwadar. Also, if you have any questions on Balochistan or my traveling experience on bicycle/motorbikes, please comment below or email me, and I’ll try to reply to you as soon.
