The Enigmatic New Gwadar International Airport: A Symbol of China’s Ambitions in Pakistan

Pakistan’s newest and most expensive airport, the New Gwadar International Airport, stands as a mystery in the coastal city of Gwadar. Completed in October 2024 and entirely financed by China with a staggering $240 million investment, the airport has yet to open its doors to passengers or planes. Despite its state-of-the-art facilities, the lack of activity has raised questions about its purpose and future. Located in the impoverished and politically volatile province of Balochistan, the airport contrasts sharply with the challenges faced by its surroundings. Gwadar lacks basic amenities like electricity and clean water, relying instead on Iran or solar panels for power. The airport’s 400,000 passenger capacity seems out of place in a city of just 90,000 people, raising questions about its true intent. International relations expert Azeem Khalid succinctly observes, “This airport is not for Pakistan or Gwadar. It is for China.”

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A Catalyst for Controversy

The New Gwadar International Airport is a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar project connecting China’s western Xinjiang province with the Arabian Sea. Over the past decade, China has poured significant investments into Balochistan, touting CPEC as a transformative initiative for the region. However, the promised benefits remain elusive for locals. Gwadar remains disconnected from Pakistan’s national grid, and its water scarcity has worsened due to drought and overexploitation. The city’s residents struggle to find work, and the few jobs created by CPEC are often filled by outsiders rather than locals. This has fueled resentment among the Baloch population, who feel exploited and marginalized.

The project has also reignited a decades-long insurgency in Balochistan, as separatists demand independence and accuse the state of exploiting the region’s resources without benefiting its people. Militant groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army, have targeted both Pakistani troops and Chinese workers, further complicating the region’s security landscape. Pakistan has responded by increasing its military presence in Gwadar, transforming the city into a fortress of checkpoints, barbed wire, and watchtowers. Roads are frequently closed to ensure the safe passage of Chinese workers and Pakistani VIPs, while intelligence officers closely monitor journalists and outsiders. The heavy-handed security measures have deepened mistrust among locals, who feel their freedoms are being curtailed.

A City Under Siege: Life in Gwadar Amidst CPEC and Conflict

For the people of Gwadar, life has become increasingly fraught with tension and uncertainty. Once a tranquil coastal city, Gwadar is now a place of constant scrutiny and restriction. Residents like 76-year-old Khuda Bakhsh Hashim recall a time when Gwadar was a peaceful port city, part of Oman, where people enjoyed ample food, water, and livelihood opportunities. Today, Hashim laments the loss of those days, as Gwadar grapples with drought, unemployment, and security restrictions. “We used to enjoy all-night picnics in the mountains or rural areas,” he said. “Now, we are asked to prove our identity at every turn.”

The city’s charm and hospitality remain, with its welcoming locals and vibrant food scene, but the sense of danger and isolation is palpable. Gwadar’s domestic airport offers only one commercial route, operating just three times a week to Karachi. There are no direct flights to Quetta, the provincial capital, or Islamabad, the national capital. The scenic coastal highway is underdeveloped, and the city’s reputation for instability deters visitors. According to locals, thousands have gone missing in Balochistan over the years, with anyone speaking out against exploitation or oppression at risk of detention. Activists allege forced disappearances and torture, claims the government denies.

The Unfulfilled Promises of CPEC: A View from the Ground

Despite the fanfare surrounding CPEC, the people of Gwadar see little evidence of the transformative change promised by authorities. The government claims that CPEC has created around 2,000 local jobs, but it remains unclear who qualifies as “local” in this context. Many suspect that the opportunities have gone to outsiders rather than Baloch residents. Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, district president of the Balochistan Awami Party, notes that not a single resident of Gwadar was hired to work at the airport—“not even as a watchman.” This exclusion has deepened the perception that CPEC benefits everyone except the people it was supposedly designed to help.

The lack of local involvement in CPEC projects has stifled any potential trickle-down benefits. As Chinese investments flowed into Gwadar, so did a heavy-handed security apparatus that has alienated the local population. “The Pakistani government is not willing to give anything to the Baloch people, and the Baloch are not willing to take anything from the government,” says Azeem Khalid. This mistrust has created a standoff, with little progress made on addressing the pressing issues of electricity, water, and employment. Protests organized by Hoth in December highlighted the growing frustration, but despite pledges from authorities to address these grievances, no meaningful action has been taken.

A Delayed Inauguration: Security Fears and Unanswered Questions

The inauguration of the New Gwadar International Airport has been repeatedly delayed due to security concerns. The proximity of the airport to the surrounding mountains has raised fears that the area could be used as a launchpad for militant attacks. Instead of a grand opening, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hosted a virtual ceremony, while the inaugural flight was kept off-limits to the media and the public. This secrecy has only added to the mystery surrounding the airport and its purpose.

The lack of transparency has fueled speculation that the airport is primarily intended to serve China’s strategic interests rather than the needs of Gwadar or Pakistan. The exclusion of local residents from the airport’s construction and operations has further alienated the community. As Gwadar continues to grapple with poverty, water scarcity, and security restrictions, the airport stands as a symbol of unfulfilled promises and unmet expectations. For Hashim, the key to stability lies in addressing the root causes of discontent. “When someone has something to eat, then why would he choose to go on the wrong path?” he said. “It is not a good thing to upset people.”

Conclusion: Gwadar’s Uncertain Future and the Baloch Dilemma

The story of Gwadar and the New International Airport is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Balochistan and Pakistan. While CPEC has been billed as a game-changer for the region, its benefits have been slow to materialize for the local population. Instead, the project has deepened existing tensions, fueled insurgency, and created a sense of exclusion among the Baloch people. The heavy-handed security measures and lack of meaningful investment in local infrastructure have only exacerbated the problem.

As militant violence continues to rise in Balochistan, the prospects for lasting stability remain uncertain. For Gwadar to realize its potential as a regional hub, the concerns of its residents must be addressed. This includes ensuring access to basic amenities, creating genuine employment opportunities, and fostering trust between the government and the Baloch population. Without these steps, the New Gwadar International Airport risks becoming a white elephant, a symbol of China’s ambitions in Pakistan rather than a source of hope for the people it was built for.