GWADAR, May 16 (Gwadar Pro) - On the evening of May 15, 2019, the Gwadar PC Hotel held its first Iftar dinner after the attack. At the invitation of the hotel manager Iqbal Mehmood, Mr. Zhang Baozhong, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC), led both Chinese and Pakistani employee representatives of the company to participate in the event.

 

Prior to the dinner, all participating guests held a solemn prayer in accordance with Muslim customs for the four hotel employees and one naval soldier who sacrificed their lives in the May 11 terrorist attack. On behalf of COPHC, Chairman Zhang Baozhong conveyed a fraternal condolence to the families of the victims and transferred the solatium. He said that the terrorist attack has caused irreparable injuries to countless families, and is the common enemy of all of us. He assured the public that, at this difficult time COPHC will continue to stand with the Gwadar people, and make joint efforts with them for local socioeconomic development and improvement of people’s livelihood.

 

The hotel manager Iqbal Mehmood expressed gratitude to COPHC for their enduring support and cooperation. Citing the rising hotel revenues in recent years, he testified the positive changes COPHC has brought to the local business development since they took charge of the Gwadar Port.

 

He said that the Balochi are diligent and intelligent, and most of all, champion of peace. Their culture contains anything but terrorist attack. Some outside powers constantly provoke incidents and launch terrorist attacks, undermining the economic development of the Balochistan region, because they are reluctant to see a stronger Pakistan. However, he said, “with the support of the local people and our Chinese brothers, we will shatter their plots.”

 

The army and the navy based in Gwadar and local dignitaries were present on the occasion.