Along the Makran Coast, Ormara has one of the finest beaches and is potentially a major beach resort. Enclosed photographs will prove my point.
The large U shaped beach encompassed by two large mountains offers clean ivory coloured sands and controlled waves. The beach stretching more than 20 km is on the western side of the Hammer Head. The eastern side has the fishing village and Jinnah Naval base. The beach is close to the airport which lies inland away from the town and naval base. The costal highway passes next to the beach for several kilometers.
The beach was venue of the latest Freedom Rally on 14th August, which was graced by the Federal Minister of Tourism.
Proposal:
Holding of the race on the beach is a fine start towards introducing the people and entrepreneurs of Pakistan to this national wealth.
With Airport and a very fine highway and total distance of 350KM from Karachi, the beach has the potential to become a major beach resort. Initially it can cater to the needs of local tourist but eventually it can become a resort for high paying foreign tourist.
During our recent visit on the occasion of the Jeep race we found the local people to be very respectable, honest and hospitable despite poverty.
They welcomed us with open arms and wished and prayed that we come again and again. Such visits infuse cash into the economy and are very welcome.
Some people will say that security concerns will never let Ormara emerge as a Tourist resort. This threat is over played in my opinion and should not deter entrepreneurs from investing in the Area with the cooperation of locals. When well paying jobs would be created locals will take care of the security. Given its remoteness and natural barriers of mountain ranges the area is easy to protect.
Currently fishing is the only legitimate occupation of the people. It is alleged that a number of locals are involved in smuggling and all men of means in the area are smugglers. This may or may not be true; however I as an Overseas Pakistani know it for a fact that from ages the enterprising people of the Area, to break through the poverty trap, have sought employment in the Gulf to feed their extended families back home. People of the coastal Region of Pakistan are considered very honest and trust worthy and mostly employed as Policemen in the Gulf.
Recommendation:
Government of Pakistan has spent a large sum of money on making the 600 KM long Makran highway. The idea was to bring in development all along this impoverished region.
While Gawader will become the Regional port and Industrial city, Ormara and Pasni should be developed as Tourist centers.
Tourism provides the best chance for job creation in the area. Therefore I suggest that an Ormara Tourism Development Co (OTDC) be established in which Government of Pakistan and Baluchistan provides 51% capital while the rest may be invested by private entrepreneurs mostly from Ormara. The initial capital may be say Rs 500 million. This Co may be listed on Karachi stock exchange.
The capital may be utilized to develop basic infra structure to cater for needs of some 500 big and small plots for making hotels and private beach houses/ huts. The plots may be auctioned off eventually for say Rs 2 million on the average.
