Gwadar City: Gwadar is a coastal town located in the province of Balochistan in Pakistan. The Town is the capital of its surrounding district that is also named Gwadar. By virtue of its location, development projects, recreational potential and the government's special attention, it will soon be turn into a port city of international standard.
Due to its strategic position as the southern extension of Pakistan into the Arabian Sea, it renders itself as an egress for transit traffic into the landlocked Central Asian Republics as well as Afghanistan and Iran. This geographic advantage endows Gwadar with the potential of becoming a commercial and economic hub of the subcontinent, much on the same format as port cities like Dubai and Hong Kong.
Gwadar is destined to be the most important upcoming coastal town located on the inter junction of the three most strategically and economically important regions of the world that are oil rich Middle East, South Asia where one-fifth of the world population lives and the Central Asian Republics endowed with mineral wealth complied with highly skilled, educated and disciplined workforce.
In view of the promising future of Gwadar, people from Pakistan and abroad who believe in safe and sound investment, are taking keen interest in the development of this rapid growing PORT CITY of the country. It is believed that in near future foreign investors; particularly from the Middle East will be coming forward with their investment to take part HISTORY IN MAKING.
PROJECTS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF HASHOO GROUP:
A) ZAVER PEARL CONTINENTAL HOTEL
Zaver Pearl Continental Hotel at Gwadar, the first Five Star Hotel, costing 1 billion, situated on a cliff (Koh-e-Batil), and surrounded by azure Arabian waters is first of its kind in Balochistan. The hotel is equipped with international standards and all those features which are mark of the Hashoo Group with hospitality.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FEATURES OF ZAVER PEARL CONTINENTAL HOTEL ARE HIGHLIGHTED AS UNDER:
GUEST ROOMS FACILITIES:
-- 120 air conditioned guest rooms including suites, with balconies, located on four floors.
-- Provided with most modern facilities, including multi channel TV, fridge, safe and 24 hours room service.
-- Hi-Tech communication system including high speed internet connectivity.
FEATURES:
-- 24 hours coffee shop with seating capacity for 160 guests.
-- Specialty restaurant with seating capacity for 95 guests and 3 private dining rooms each accommodating 10 guests.
-- 500 seats capacity Banquet Hall (can be sub-divided into two) with pre function space for 250 guests, availability of audio visual and provision of separate entrance.
-- Pen air Bar-B-Q court
-- Business center with three secretarial offices and two meeting rooms, fully equipped with modern communication and audio visual equipments, dinning room / bar facility for 55 guests.
-- Male and female swimming pools with fully equipped health club.
-- Shopping arcade.
-- Meditation court.
-- Two high speed scenic elevators.
-- Spacious main lobby and ground floor.
-- Full laundry and dry cleaning services.
-- International standard fire safety and emergency systems.
-- Adequate car parking.
-- Beautifully landscaped surroundings with water bodies
B) GOLDEN PALMS HOUSING SCHEME:
Golden Palms is the zealous vision of Mr. Sadruddin Hashwni, after Zaver Pearl Continental Hotel at Gwadar. Surrounded by the un-spoilt beauty of the Makran coastline, the township, over an area of 1000 acres of land, is one of most prominent projects recently launched in Pakistan. It is situated in the western end of the city, overlooking Gwadar West Bay. The township is divided in a series of zones, with commercial, residential and amenity areas. Together they form the symbol of Gwadar meteoric rise and the grand intent of our truly unprecedented master plan.
Golden Palms being the largest housing project so far launched in the private sector will, INSHAALLAH, be the most attractive township of the newly developed Port City of Gwadar.
Meinhardt, a Singapore based urban designers and a renowned Consultancy firm, having its office at Karachi, has planned The Golden Palms Estate, with a meticulous thought and details. They are also looking after and will be supervising the entire infrastructure development activities; from beginning to end.
Midas Sales & Promotions Pvt. Limited are our sole marketing and advertising representative for sales and booking of plots all over Pakistan as well as Middle East, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia etc. MP&S (Pvt.) Limited has one of the largest and trustworthy marketing & communication networks in Pakistan. Midas Sales & Promotions Pvt. limited alongwith their sub agent, M/s. Ather Associates providing us the best services to promote Golden Palms and this developing port city of Gwadar.
The Residential Estate promises a lifestyle that is a testament to customer's success, a wealth of quality amenities, breathtaking vistas, embodies all the expectations of modern professional and luxurious lifestyle to cater the need of the residents of the city of future.
The scheme is divided into four Quadrants or Zones, named after four palm families: Orania, Scheelea, Areca and Salacca. (Zone 1 to Zone 4), in addition to 5th Central Commercial - Zone 5 and a series of Commercial plots (ranging from 400 to 2000 sq. yards each), all along Marine drive and Padizar Boulevard. Residential Plots are of from 300, 500, 1000 & 1500 sq. yards each, whereas commercial plots are ranging from 100 sq. yards to 2600 sq. yards each, which are located on both sides of GDA roads passing through the township, including Marine Drive and Padizar Boulevard.
Golden Palms is an unprecedented offering at an unimaginable scale. The vision behind the concept is to create world class destination for residents, visitors and businessmen in near future. It is an ultra modern development with stunning views, tourist resorts, play land, restaurants and a Five Star Marriott Hotel along seaside.
THE MAJOR FACILITIES OF THE TOWNSHIP INCLUDE:
-- Civic Centre
-- Jamia Mosque
-- Central Commercial Avenue
-- Hospital & Clinic
-- School & College
-- Parks, Playgrounds, Greenbelts and Play land
-- Telephone Exchange
-- Water Desalination Plant
-- Electric Supply
-- Landscaping / Horticulture, water bodies & children swimming pool
-- Commercial Plots & high-rise Building, facing Marine Drive
-- GDA Major Roads Passing Across Golden Palms
C) DESALINATION PLANT:
At present, the water supply to Gwadar city is through tankers. The only source is Ankra Dam which is 30 Km away from Gwadar. Acute shortage of water prevails in the city and in the hottest season of the year, the cost of the tanker goes to Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 (depending upon the capacity of the tanker).
Realising the dearth of water in Gwadar, and for the assurance of availability of water for the future occupant of Golden Palms in particular and Gwadar city in general, the company decided to install a state of the Art Desalination Plant of 200,000 gallon per day capacity with the provision of 400,000 gallon per day expansion capacity in future, as a second phase Programme. The project costing almost Rs 113 Million over an area of 2 acres within Golden Palms Township was initiated in early 2005.
Contract Signing Ceremony of the Plant was held on 7th September 2005 presided over by the Honourable Governor of Balochistan, Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani. By the grace of GOD on 19th March 2007, the plant being fully operational is being inaugurated by the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz.
Desalination Plant, no doubt, is a landmark achievement for us with the provision of sweet water at Golden Palms. The overall scenario is unexpected to be changed sharply - from sand dunes of 30 to 50 feet high in the hash green township of having the most attractive residential as well as commercial activities along blue water of Gwadar.
FUTURE PLANS IN OFFERING BY HASHOO GROUP
I. CONSTRUCTION OF MODEL BUNGALOWS AT GOLDEN PALMS SITE:
This is good news especially for all our overseas clients that in near future, we will be able to provide Standard Design with different options, estimated cost, specifications, as well as time frame for the above project. Efforts are being made to hire the expertise of the Malaysian or Chinese firm, not only to develop the infrastructure of the township but also assist us in the construction of Model Bungalows in a given time frame.
II. GOLDEN PALMS - PHASE 2:
By the grace of God and due to the satisfaction and encouragement of our customers, within a short period of time, we are in a position to launch Golden Palms - Phase 2 over an area of 300 acres of land (along Jewani Road), for middle income group. The plot sizes to be offered would be ranging from 120 sq. yards to 300 sq. yards each. All the essential amenities and services would be included in the cost of the plot, so that the allottees may not wait indefinitely for the same.
III. GOLDEN PALMS 3:
A housing scheme for the "low income group" is our next future plan, covering an area of 200 acres of land, with the provision of plots/units of 80 sq. yards to 150 sq. yards each.
IV. TOURIST RESORT:
A play land, boot club & tourist resort are also in pipeline of our development program. This will be located along the seaside, spread over a plot of 100m x 100m each.
V. TRADE AND BUSINESS CENTER:
A high-rise building as "Trade and Business Center" within the commercial zone along Padizar Boulevard is likely to be announced by one of our client in near future. This will provide an opportunity for investors, businessman and industrialist to open up their offices as soon as the business activity taken its momentum. Similar Buildings are expected to be taken up by other Golden Palms allottees in Central Commercial area of the scheme, to meet the future demand of offices and shopping centers.
VI. OFFICE BUILDING AT KOH-E-BATIL, GWADAR:
Keeping up the tradition of excellence Hashoo Group will soon be launching a dedicated office building project next to Zaver Pearl Continental, Gwadar, the building will be spread over an area of 50,000 sq. foot and will be comprises of 40 offices, providing business facilities to multinational companies, businessman, industrialist etc, particularly those who are related to port activities. This exquisite construction will be an up market business address for enterprises that demand the best and do not settle for ordinary.
VII. MARRIOTT HOTEL:
Like Zever Pearl Continental Hotel, another Five Star Marriott Hotel, is also the part of this scheme, facing the seaside. The hotel will be equipped with all internationally required facilities and standards.
VIII. EDUCATIONAL BUILDING:
Education cements the foundation of any nation. Realising this need, well equipped building from nursery school to high school and college level are also the part of the project plan of Golden Palms Township.
(The writer is Executive Director, Associated Builders (Pvt) Limited, Hashoo Group.)