Pakistan had identified Gwadar as a port site as far back as 1954 when Gwadar was still under Omani rule. After 200 years of Omani rule, Pakistan purchased Gwadar from Oman for $3 million on 8 September 1958. Most of the money for the purchase from Oman came from donations, with Prince Sultan Mohammad Shah, the reigning Aga Khan of that time, being the leading contributor. Pakistan-Oman agreement had two important clauses: all Balochistan would form catchment for recruiting Omani forces and the resources of Gwadar would be further developed. Resultantly, the Baloch people constitute a major part of Omani forces. At that time, Gwadar was a small and underdeveloped fishing village with a population of a few thousand, now it is a sprawling township with a population of 80,000.
展开▼
