Mon Feb 24 04:35:35 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan’s $240 Million Ghost Airport: A Symbol of CPEC’s Troubled Legacy in Gwadar

**GWADAR, PAKISTAN —** Pakistan’s newly completed Gwadar International Airport, a $240 million project entirely funded by China, remains eerily silent. Despite its 400,000 passenger capacity and October 2024 completion, the airport has yet to open, raising questions about its purpose.

The airport’s construction is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project connecting China’s Xinjiang province to the Arabian Sea. While authorities tout CPEC as transformative for Balochistan province, where Gwadar is located, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

Gwadar, a city of 90,000, lacks basic amenities like reliable electricity and clean water. Experts argue the airport serves primarily Chinese interests, providing secure access to the region for its citizens rather than addressing the needs of the local population.

The CPEC project has fueled a decades-long Baloch separatist insurgency. Baloch residents, alleging exploitation and discrimination, are fighting for independence, targeting both Pakistani forces and Chinese workers. This unrest has intensified security measures in Gwadar, creating a city rife with checkpoints, troops, and surveillance. Locals report increased restrictions on their movement and freedoms.

While the Pakistani government claims CPEC has generated 2,000 jobs, the definition of “local” remains unclear, raising concerns about the project’s benefits for the Baloch community. The airport’s inauguration was a virtual ceremony, with no public access, reflecting the security concerns surrounding the region. The limited domestic flights from Gwadar further highlight its disconnect from the rest of Pakistan.

Despite its challenges, Gwadar retains its charm and hospitality, but the security situation and lack of development cast a long shadow over its future. The airport, a symbol of Chinese investment, stands as a stark reminder of the complex and often troubled relationship between CPEC, the Pakistani government, and the Baloch people.

Read More