In 2017, the then Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mr. Nawab Sanaullah Zehri had announced that Gwadar would be the Winter Capital of Balochistan. Even before that, in 2011, the then Chief Minister of the province, Nawab Aslam Raisani, attempted to make Gwadar the winter capital of Balochistan. However, at both times, these plans could not take shape.
But recently, in 2019, the ex-deputy speaker of Balochistan Assembly, Aslam Bhootani, put forward a proposal to make Gwadar the Winter Capital of Balochistan.
On April 2, 2021, the provincial government of Balochistan issued a notice to make Gwadar the Winter Capital of the province. Gwadar Port Authority’s (GPA) chairman, Mr. Naseer Khan Kashani mentioned that the authority received a letter from the provincial government confirming the capital status of Gwadar.
What is a Winter Capital?
Many states around the world have the need for more than one capital. The roots of this need differ from state to state. Most of the times, a state announces more than one capital if the region is lacking in development even though it is playing a vital role in the economic progress of the country. Another reason for a summer or a winter capital is the extreme weathers which make a certain region inaccessible.
Therefore, a summer capital will be operational during the summer time when the actual Capital become extremely hot. Similarly, a winter capital will be operational during the winter season when the actual Capital becomes inaccessible due to extreme weather conditions.
What was Gwadar made a Winter Capital?
Gwadar has been declared as the winter capital of Southern Balochistan in a bid to bring the coastal town
into limelight and boost its importance in the national and international spectrum.
According to a GDA official, funds have been allocated to furnish the civil secretariat of Gwadar.
