Image Credits : scmp.com
The launch of a Chinese-funded airport in Gwadar, Baluchistan, has been delayed due to recent militant attacks in the region. The new Gwadar International Airport, a key component of the $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), was slated for inauguration on August 14, 2024. However, following the attacks, which claimed over 70 lives, Pakistani authorities and Chinese officials decided to postpone the event as they reassessed security measures.
The delay comes in the wake of heightened concerns from both Pakistani and Chinese authorities. Although Chinese infrastructure projects in the area were not directly targeted in the recent violence, the insurgency, driven primarily by ethnic Baloch groups, has a history of opposing Chinese investments, viewing them as a threat to local autonomy and resources.
Chinese officials have expressed growing unease over the security situation, and there have been discussions about enhancing collaborative efforts between Chinese and Pakistani security forces to address these threats. However, the situation remains tense, with further delays likely as authorities continue to evaluate the risks involved in operating the airport in such a volatile environment.
The Gwadar airport is expected to play a crucial role in the region’s development, serving as a significant hub for trade and tourism under the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite the delays, both Pakistan and China remain committed to ensuring the airport’s completion and operationalization, although no new launch date has been set.