Islamabad :British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner CMG today saw at first hand the potential Gwadar has to be a key hub for Pakistan.

The High Commissioner presided over the coin toss for a celebrity cricket match – the Gwadar Dolphins led by the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Zulfi Bukari, versus the Showbiz Sharks led by Wasim Khan, CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The match was dedicated to Pakistan climbing hero Ali Sadpara.

Dr Turner said  “Gwadar has so much potential as a cricket venue. As we know the UK and Pakistan relationship is very strong because cricket is in our blood.

“The cricket ground in Gwadar, I think, is the most beautiful in the world. I hope the England Cricket Team might play here one day.”

The High Commissioner saw the long-term potential of Gwadar to be a sporting, leisure and business centre for Pakistan, as well as how it could be a key hub to connect Balochistan with the rest of Pakistan, as well as neighbouring countries. During his visit the High Commissioner underlined that any inward investment must be environmentally friendly and should benefit the local community.

The visit was also an important opportunity for the High Commissioner to tour Gwadar port facilities and discuss key investment issues with political and government figures, including Ali Zaidi, Minister for Maritime Affairs, and Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Science and Technology.

Dr Turner was joined by Mike Nithavrianakis, the UK’s Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi and Trade Director for Pakistan.