Regional economic integration: ‘Gwadar-Omani ports linkages may emerge as a key driver’

ISLAMABAD: Strengthening Pakistan–Oman connectivity, including potential linkages between Gwadar and Omani ports, could emerge as a key driver of regional economic integration across the Arabian Sea, speakers said on Wednesday at a high-level roundtable hosted by the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS) in Islamabad.

The roundtable, titled “Pakistan–Oman Bilateral Ties: A Cornerstone for Boosting Regional Economy and Connectivity,” brought together senior parliamentarians from the Sultanate of Oman, Pakistani policymakers, defence experts, and development practitioners to explore avenues for deeper cooperation in trade, energy, maritime security, and people-to-people ties, with a particular focus on connecting CPEC-related infrastructure with Oman.

Welcoming the Omani delegation, Brigadier Asif Haroon Raja (Retd), Patron-in-Chief of CDS, said Pakistan and Oman enjoy a relationship rooted in shared history, cultural affinity, and enduring maritime linkages. He noted that both countries are strategically positioned to enhance cooperation in economic connectivity, energy security, defence, and parliamentary diplomacy at a time of shifting regional and global dynamics.

He said Pakistan holds strategic and historical importance for Oman, and the partnership extends beyond diplomacy to encompass trade, defence cooperation, and regional stability, describing the visit as timely and symbolic of a shared commitment to peace and mutual prosperity.

Director General CDS Dr Irfan Ashraf highlighted that recent high-level engagements between Pakistan and Oman have reinforced cooperation in trade, energy, and maritime security. He underscored the growing importance of Gwadar Port as a regional connectivity hub, offering Oman access to South Asia, Central Asia, and western China.