Two Expo Centers for One City: Senate Approves Quetta Project Amid Questions Over Location, Delays and Viability
Two Expo Centers for One City: Senate Approves Quetta Project Amid Questions Over Location, Delays and Viability
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: A controversial decision has emerged from the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce as it approved the Expo Center Quetta project while simultaneously endorsing the proposal for a second expo facility near Quetta Airport, raising serious questions about planning efficiency, resource allocation and long-term viability.
The dual-project approach has triggered debate among lawmakers, with concerns that approving one facility while announcing another nearby reflects inconsistencies in planning and possible duplication of infrastructure. Committee members openly questioned whether the existing site located away from the airport can realistically attract international business activity or sustain long-term operations.
The issue came under discussion during a high-level meeting chaired by Senator Anusha Rahman, where Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti strongly defended the selected location. He asserted that Quetta is a secure city comparable to other major urban centers and emphasized that the site lies near an operational industrial zone, which could support commercial activity.
However, lawmakers remained unconvinced about accessibility challenges, particularly for foreign delegates and investors. Concerns were raised that the distance from the airport could limit the Expo Center’s effectiveness, prompting questions about whether the project had been planned with practical business needs in mind.
In a significant development, Chief Minister Bugti proposed that while the current Expo Center project should proceed as planned, the provincial government would also establish a second Expo Center closer to Quetta Airport to address accessibility concerns. The proposal effectively acknowledged the limitations of the existing site while moving forward with its approval.
The committee ultimately reached a consensus and approved the original Expo Center Quetta project despite these reservations, signaling a dual-track approach that could have financial and operational implications.
Officials informed the committee that the project had already faced delays, while a Planning Commission committee had cleared the site from a security standpoint. The Chief Minister reiterated that security concerns should not hinder development, stressing that Quetta is safe for investment and business activity.
The location for the second Expo Center near the airport is yet to be finalized and will be decided in consultation with the Balochistan Cabinet, Senate members and key stakeholders, including the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A senior policy observer, speaking anonymously, described the decision as “a classic case of approving a project while admitting its shortcomings,” adding that “building two facilities instead of optimizing one raises serious questions about planning priorities and public spending.” Another analyst noted that such parallel development could lead to inefficiencies if demand does not justify multiple large-scale infrastructure projects.
