Pakistan’s grand vision for economic transformation through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has hit yet another snag as its latest infrastructure marvel, the New Gwadar International Airport, remains eerily silent. Despite its impressive $240 million price tag, fully funded by China, the airport has yet to welcome a single commercial flight since its completion in October 2024. Built in Gwadar, a coastal city in Balochistan, the airport was supposed to be a game-changer for regional connectivity. Instead, it now serves as a glaring symbol of the disconnect between large-scale infrastructure projects and the reality on the ground for local communities.
Gwadar, home to around 90,000 people, remains one of Pakistan’s most underdeveloped cities, lacking essential services such as consistent electricity and clean drinking water. While the airport boasts a passenger capacity of 400,000 annually, there is little evidence to suggest such a demand exists. Critics argue that the airport primarily serves China’s strategic interests rather than the needs of local residents. With China investing billions in CPEC projects, Gwadar is a crucial hub linking Beijing’s economic ambitions to the Arabian Sea. Yet, the benefits for the local Baloch population remain largely invisible, fueling long-standing grievances about exploitation and exclusion.
The completion of the airport coincides with escalating tensions in Balochistan, where separatist groups have waged a decades-long insurgency against the Pakistani state. These groups argue that the region’s vast resources are being plundered for the benefit of outsiders while locals continue to suffer. The arrival of CPEC has only exacerbated these frustrations, as Pakistani authorities have ramped up military operations in Gwadar to protect Chinese workers and infrastructure. The city is now heavily militarized, with security checkpoints, barricades, and restricted access in many areas. Roads are frequently closed for the movement of Chinese personnel and government officials, further alienating the local population.
Residents of Gwadar lament the loss of the simple freedoms they once enjoyed. Many recall a time when the city was a peaceful fishing community, free from constant surveillance and security restrictions. Older generations remember when Gwadar was part of Oman before Pakistan acquired it in 1958, a period they describe as more prosperous and self-sufficient. Today, however, economic opportunities are scarce, and promises of job creation under CPEC remain largely unfulfilled. Official reports claim that the project has generated around 2,000 jobs, but many locals question whether these positions are actually going to Baloch workers or being filled by Pakistanis from other regions.
The security situation has also made Gwadar an unappealing destination for businesses and investors. With ongoing militant attacks and an unpredictable environment, economic activity has struggled to take off. The Pakistani government insists that CPEC will eventually bring prosperity to Balochistan, but for now, residents see little evidence of this transformation. Protests over basic necessities such as water and electricity have become a common occurrence, with activists and community leaders frequently detained or harassed for voicing their concerns.
Security fears have also delayed the formal inauguration of the airport, with officials citing the nearby mountains as a potential launching ground for attacks. Instead of a grand opening with media and public attendance, the Pakistani and Chinese prime ministers opted for a virtual ceremony, further reinforcing the perception that the project is out of touch with local realities. The lack of transparency surrounding the airport’s operations has only fueled skepticism. Reports indicate that not a single Gwadar resident has been hired to work at the airport, raising further questions about who will actually benefit from its construction.
While CPEC has undoubtedly brought large-scale infrastructure to Gwadar, it has failed to address the region’s fundamental socio-economic issues. Without meaningful local participation, many residents remain deeply skeptical of the government’s intentions. The heavy-handed security measures and lack of community engagement have created an environment of distrust, where Baloch people feel increasingly alienated from national development efforts. As long as this divide persists, ambitious projects like the New Gwadar International Airport risk becoming symbols of exclusion rather than progress.
