The first trade convoy carrying goods for export through the western route of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and a Chinese ship has arrived at the Gwadar Port on Friday.
The convoy, comprising 60 containers, started its journey to Pakistan from Kashgar through the western route and arrived in Quetta in the first phase and later departed for Gwadar, reports the Express Tribune.
The second trade convoy comprising over 100 containers is set to arrive in Gwadar today.
According to official sources, while one Chinese ship has been anchored at Gwadar Port, another is expected to reach on Saturday. The goods would be exported through Gwadar port to the Middle East and African countries.
To commemorate the occasion, a ceremony will be held at Gwadar Port on November 13 which will be attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and ambassadors of 15 countries.
On Friday, a large number of people participated in a rally organised by Gwadar Yakjehti Council in the port city carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans welcoming the trade.
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The speakers at the rally said that the CPEC project would prove a game changer for Balochistan and its development.
The corridor is about 3,000-kilometre long consisting of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China's Xinjiang province to the rest of the world through Gwadar port.
Meanwhile, the Baloch people and activists have continually protested against the CPEC, alleging Pakistan of being only concerned about the resources in Balochistan and not its people and exploiting the region's resources and trading it to Beijing.
Considered to be a part of China's One Belt, One Road initiative, the USD 46 billion project covers Balochistan and Sindh provinces and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India has formally opposed the CPEC because it runs through PoK, which is a disputed territory.