Exploring Southern Pakistan's Makran Coast

Makran is a partial desert stretched across Balochistan, neighboring the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

There are two alternating stories about its name.

The first being that Makran is derived from the word “Maka'' which was the name of an area of the First Persian Empire.

The second theory is that it comes from the word “Makar'' which translates to “sea dragon”.

The construction of this highway was an unprecedented, challenging task. The unpredictable geography, such as the mountains of Aghore, made the carving out of a road an extremely dangerous task.

Efficient communication systems like roads and highways are hallmarks of progress and are thereby important for any nation.

The highway was built in three segments, the first one connecting Lyari to Omara in 222 km. The local inhabitants of the Makran strip are people of culture and tradition. In the habit of rearing cattle and utilizing sea food as a major source of nourishment, they are considered to be some of the strongest people, capable of surviving harsh weather conditions.

There are many scenic sights along the way as one travels through Omara via Pasni, like the Timar forest, that is host to different species of fishes whilst also functioning as a shield against storms from the Arabian Sea.

As you journey through, keep your senses attuned for a remarkable sight: the Princess of Hope. This name was attributed by Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie herself, commemorating her visit to Hingol Park in 2002.  

The Hingol National Park is one of the highlights of the highway, which is now fully accessible for tourists to visit.

As we pass through the changing landscape from deserts to mountain ranges to the deep blue ocean, we cross a multitude of beaches such as Ormara, Pasni, Gwadar, Ganz and Jiwani.

Jiwani stems out of the word 'Jammu Day', which translates to “Jammu’s home” - Jammu being the leader of the Raees Clan and the first one to inhabit the area.

Ganz is located at the western corner of Balochistan near Iran, between Jiwani and Gwadar. This stunning beach lies relatively undiscovered and off the beaten track.

The Makran Coastal highway has helped solve a lot of safety and transport issues that existed previously, by creating a safe passage for tradesmen to commute as well as help accommodate for a potential boost in the tourism sector in the future.