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Gwadar’s new $240 million airport, a gift from China, sits empty. Completed in October 2024, the state-of-the-art facility stands in stark contrast to the poverty and unrest of Balochistan province.
The airport is part of China’s massive China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, linking western China to the Arabian Sea. While touted as transformative, Gwadar residents see little benefit.
The city lacks basic necessities like reliable electricity and clean water. A 400,000-passenger capacity airport seems excessive for a population of 90,000.
Some experts believe the airport primarily serves Chinese interests, providing secure access to the region. CPEC has fueled a long-standing insurgency in Balochistan. Separatists, claiming exploitation, target both Pakistani forces and Chinese workers.
Gwadar is now a city under tight security. Checkpoints, barbed wire, and troops are everywhere.
Roads routinely close for the movement of Chinese personnel and Pakistani officials. Even the local fish market is off-limits to journalists.
Residents feel the strain. Increased security measures have curtailed their freedom of movement.
Longtime residents recall a simpler time before CPEC, when Gwadar was part of Oman. They remember plentiful food, water, and jobs.
While the government claims CPEC has created jobs, it’s unclear how many have gone to local Baloch people. Gwadar remains isolated, with limited flight connections to the rest of Pakistan.
Despite the challenges, there’s a desire for CPEC to succeed and bring opportunities to the region’s youth. However, the current situation has fostered resentment and mistrust. The rise in militant attacks since 2021 underscores the ongoing tension.
Security concerns delayed the airport’s official opening, which was ultimately held virtually. Locals complain they were excluded from employment opportunities, even menial jobs. Recent protests over living conditions yielded promises from authorities, but little action has followed.
The lack of local involvement in CPEC projects has prevented any real economic benefits from reaching the community. The influx of Chinese investment has been accompanied by a heavy security presence, further alienating the local population. This has created a deep divide, hindering any meaningful progress.