• Moumi Mousumi
• 23 Feb, 2025

The New Gwadar International Airport located in Pakistan's coastal city of Gwadar has become the country's most expensive airport fully funded by China at a cost of 240 million dollar. However the airport's operational date remains a mystery raising questions about its purpose and benefits for the local community.

Background and Significance

The New Gwadar International Airport, completed in October 2024 stands in stark contrast to the surrounding southwestern Balochistan province an area grappling with poverty, water shortages and limited electricity. While the airport boasts a capacity of 400,000 passengers the city's population of just 90,000 sees little immediate need for such large-scale infrastructure.

The airport is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a multibillion-dollar initiative designed to connect China's Xinjiang province with the Arabian Sea. The Pakistani government has hailed CPEC as a transformative project but locals have yet to experience any meaningful change.

Local Concerns

Despite promises of economic growth Gwadar residents face ongoing struggles. The city lacks connection to the national power grid relying on electricity from Iran or solar panels and clean drinking water remains scarce. Many believe the new airport serves China’s interests rather than addressing local needs.

International relations expert Azeem Khalid highlighted this issue, stating,

“This airport is not for Pakistan or Gwadar. It is for China, providing secure access for their citizens to Gwadar and Balochistan.”

Security and Unrest

Balochistan has long been a hotspot for conflict with separatist groups accusing the government of exploiting local resources while offering little in return. The insurgency has intensified since 2021, with militant groups like the Baloch Liberation Army targeting both Pakistani troops and Chinese workers.

To protect Chinese investments security in Gwadar has tightened. The city is now filled with checkpoints, barbed wire and constant military presence. This heightened security has created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion among residents.

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Employment Issues

Although the government claims CPEC has created around 2,000 local jobs many question what “local” really means. Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, district president of the Balochistan Awami Party, pointed out that no residents were hired for the airport's operations - “not even as watchmen.”

Protests erupted in December 2024 demanding better access to electricity and water. Though authorities promised reforms, little progress has been made.

The New Gwadar International Airport symbolises a larger issue - the disconnect between government promises and local realities. While CPEC and Chinese investments bring hope for future development, the people of Gwadar are still waiting for the benefits to trickle down.

Until genuine efforts are made to uplift the local population the airport remains more of a political statement than a beacon of progress.