The Enigmatic New Gwadar International Airport: A Symbol of China’s Ambition in Pakistan
A Airport Without Passengers or Purpose?
Gwadar, a coastal city in the southwestern province of Balochistan, Pakistan, is home to the country’s newest and most expensive airport. The New Gwadar International Airport, entirely funded by China to the tune of $240 million, remains a mystery as it sits idle with no passengers or flights to its name. Completed in October 2024, the airport is a stark contrast to the impoverished and restive Balochistan province that surrounds it. While Pakistani authorities have celebrated its completion, questions linger about when, or if, it will ever become operational. The airport’s 400,000 passenger capacity seems out of place in a city of 90,000 people, many of whom struggle with basic necessities like electricity and clean water.
China’s Strategic Investment in Balochistan
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Its Implications
The airport is part of China’s broader investment in the region through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar project aimed at connecting China’s western Xinjiang province with the Arabian Sea. Over the past decade, China has poured billions into Balochistan and Gwadar, hoping to establish a secure trade route that bypasses the lengthy and risky journey through the South China Sea. While authorities tout CPEC as a transformational initiative, there is little evidence of tangible change in Gwadar. The city remains disconnected from the national grid, relying on electricity from neighboring Iran or solar panels, and clean water is scarce.
Caught Between Militants and the Military
Decades of Insurgency and Rising Tensions
The CPEC project has reignited a decades-long insurgency in Balochistan, a resource-rich and strategically located province. Baloch separatists, who have long complained of state exploitation and discrimination, are fighting for independence. They target both Pakistani troops and Chinese workers in the region. Pakistan has responded by increasing its military presence in Gwadar, turning the city into a fortress of checkpoints, barbed wire, and watchtowers. Roads are often closed to ensure the safe passage of Chinese workers and Pakistani VIPs, and intelligence officers closely monitor journalists visiting the area. Many residents feel suffocated by the heavy security measures, which have disrupted their way of life.
ACity of Contrasts: Gwadar’s Charms and Challenges
A Humble but Charming City
Despite its challenges, Gwadar is a humble but charming city with excellent food and welcoming locals. The city comes alive during public holidays, especially at its bustling beaches. However, the lack of infrastructure and connectivity makes it difficult to visit. Only one commercial flight operates out of Gwadar’s domestic airport, connecting it to Karachi three times a week. There are no direct flights to Quetta, the provincial capital, or Islamabad, the national capital. A scenic coastal highway offers stunning views but few amenities, and the region remains plagued by a sense of danger and difficulty.
Broken Promises and Rising Resentment
Unfulfilled Expectations and Growing Mistrust
The Pakistani government claims that CPEC has created around 2,000 local jobs, but it remains unclear who qualifies as a “local.” Many residents argue that the jobs have mostly gone to people from other parts of Pakistan, leaving Baloch residents disillusioned. Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, a local leader, noted that not a single resident of Gwadar was hired to work at the new airport, “not even as a watchman.” This sense of exclusion has fueled resentment and mistrust among the local population. Protests over living conditions in Gwadar, including the lack of electricity and water, were temporarily halted after authorities promised to address the issues, but little progress has been made.
Security Concerns and the Airport’s Uncertain Future
Delays and Doubts
Security concerns have further delayed the inauguration of the international airport, with fears that the nearby mountains could be used as a launchpad for attacks. Instead of a grand opening, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hosted a virtual ceremony, and the inaugural flight was closed to the media and public. International relations expert Azeem Khalid argues that the airport is not for Pakistan or Gwadar but for China, which seeks secure access for its citizens. Without local labor, goods, or services, there can be no trickle-down benefit from CPEC. The heavy-handed security apparatus has only deepened mistrust, leaving many to wonder if the airport will ever serve its intended purpose.
