Pakistan completed the New Gwadar International Airport in October 2024 with $240 million from Chinese funding. Despite its capacity to handle 400,000 passengers, the airport remains empty. Gwadar’s 90,000 residents still struggle with basic necessities like clean water and electricity and the city relies on Iran or solar panels for power. Locals say they don’t need a massive airport. The people believe it mainly serves Chinese workers and officials under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The government claims CPEC created around 2,000 jobs. However, locals say they haven’t seen those opportunities. No Gwadar resident was hired for the airport, not even as a security guard. The city, once peaceful and open, now feels like a military zone. Checkpoints, barbed wire and watchtowers fill the streets. Soldiers frequently stop locals to check IDs. Roads close several days a week to protect Chinese workers and government officials. Authorities even monitor journalists, and some areas, like the fish market, remain off-limits.
Read more: New Gwadar Airport Opens with Delayed Inaugural Flight
Security concerns delayed the airport’s opening ceremony. Officials feared nearby mountains could serve as a launch site for attacks. The inauguration happened virtually, without public or media access. Flights remain scarce, with just three weekly trips to Karachi. There are no direct routes to Quetta or Islamabad. The beautiful coastal highway lacks basic facilities, making travel even harder.
Local leaders questioned the purpose of these projects as this development brought heavy security and more distrust. Many residents recall times when Gwadar was peaceful and jobs were easy to find. They hope development will eventually bring real change, giving young people opportunities and hope.
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