Entirely financed by China Pakistan’s Costly New Gwadar Airport Stands Empty

[Social Media]

 

Pakistan’s latest and most expensive airport, New Gwadar International Airport, stands completed but unused, with no passengers and no planes in sight. The $240 million project, entirely financed by China, remains an enigma, as there is no clear indication of when it will become operational.  

 

Located in the coastal city of Gwadar, the airport was finished in October 2024, a striking contrast to the surrounding Balochistan province, which remains one of the country’s most impoverished and volatile regions. Over the past decade, China has invested heavily in Balochistan and Gwadar as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar initiative linking China’s western Xinjiang province to the Arabian Sea.

 

Authorities have touted the project as transformational, yet signs of improvement in Gwadar remain minimal. The city still lacks a connection to the national power grid, relying on electricity from neighboring Iran and solar panels. Clean drinking water remains scarce. For a city of only 90,000 residents, an airport designed to accommodate 400,000 passengers annually seems far from a pressing need.  

 

“This airport is not for Pakistan or Gwadar,” said Azeem Khalid, an expert in Pakistan-China relations. “It is for China, so they can have secure access for their citizens to Gwadar and Balochistan.”  

 

Gwadar is a quiet but charming city, known for its friendly locals and beautiful beaches that see an influx of visitors during public holidays. However, many still perceive it as difficult or unsafe to visit. Currently, only one commercial flight route operates from Gwadar’s domestic airport, offering limited service to Karachi three times a week. There are no direct flights to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, or Islamabad, the national capital. The coastal highway, while scenic, has minimal facilities.  

 

For decades, the Baloch insurgency has cast a shadow over the region, with thousands reported missing—those who speak out against exploitation or injustice risk being detained on suspicions of ties to armed groups, according to locals. Activists claim forced disappearances and torture are common, though the government denies these allegations.  

 

Hashim, a resident of Gwadar, wants to see CPEC succeed and provide opportunities for young people. However, progress has been elusive. “When someone has something to eat, then why would he choose to go on the wrong path,” he said. “It is not a good thing to upset people.”  

 

Militant violence in Balochistan declined following a 2014 government counterinsurgency but saw a resurgence after 2021. Attacks have steadily increased since the Pakistani Taliban ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, emboldening groups like the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army. Security concerns delayed the airport’s inauguration, with officials fearing its mountainous surroundings could serve as a launching point for attacks.  

 

Instead of a grand opening, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang hosted a virtual inauguration ceremony. The inaugural flight was kept closed to the public and media. Local frustration over the project has only grown. Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, district president of the Balochistan Awami Party, revealed that not a single resident of Gwadar was employed at the airport—“not even as a watchman.”  

 

For now, the gleaming new airport remains a symbol of unfulfilled promises, standing empty while the people of Gwadar continue to struggle with daily hardships.

 

Based on a report by CNN  2025-02-26

 

 

 

[mfd101]

Proving that China is just as capable as any 'Western' country to waste money & investments by the truckload.

[GmailJen]

China will always take something strategic back in return for any foreign investment ie control of a port or long standing permission to host a military base..   It may look good in the press that China is helping in foreign aid or improving the welfare of poor nations but there is always a "payback" !   

[pacovl46]

18 minutes ago, GmailJen said:

China will always take something strategic back in return for any foreign investment ie control of a port or long standing permission to host a military base..   It may look good in the press that China is helping in foreign aid or improving the welfare of poor nations but there is always a "payback" !   

Exactly! 

[pacovl46]

50 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Proving that China is just as capable as any 'Western' country to waste money & investments by the truckload.

It’s so not a waste! The Chinese don’t waste money! They’re getting out of it exactly what they want. 

[Purdey]

Usually, if Pakistan cannot make money from the airport, ownership will be taken by China, the creditor.

[jcmj]

Seems like China is continuing to build large complexes in foreign countries only to be left desolate. They are only in it for their gain. 

[Nickcage49]

Who the hell would want to go to Pakistan?

[bkk6060]

Siem Reap airport is a behemoth built by China with very little use.

[JAG]

The Terminals are for show.

 

They have the runways and refueling facilities etc.

 

Siem Riep gives them a base which covers the Gulf of Thailand

 

Gwadar will be handy for that side of the Indian Ocean and the sea approaches to the Persian Gulf.

[black tabby12345]

8 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Proving that China is just as capable as any 'Western' country to waste money & investments by the truckload.

 

The biggest difference is, it comes with Debt Trap.

Offering mega development projects, well beyond the repayment capability of the 3rd world countries.

When they cannot pay the money back to China, CCP often annexes  the newly made  facilities(as the port in Sri Lanka) and,  its adjoining area.

 

This way, China has been building  new overseas military posts, outside US's reach.

Extremely dangerous move to the west.

 

Supposedly Non-Aligned regions are falling into China's hand, one after another.

[black tabby12345]

7 hours ago, GmailJen said:

China will always take something strategic back in return for any foreign investment ie control of a port or long standing permission to host a military base..   It may look good in the press that China is helping in foreign aid or improving the welfare of poor nations but there is always a "payback" !   

 

That policy is called Debt Trap.

And their construction works are often done by the imported Chinese laborers, not so many locals are hired.

Seizing the newly built infrastructures, in return for the poor countries' Unpaid Debt.

That is how they have been increasing their unofficial military posts outside the reach of the west.

Often taking place in the supposedly Non-Aligned regions.

[black tabby12345]

That Unused Airport, would well end up as China's new Airforce base.

Since Pakistani govt is often friendly toward the free world as well,  the west cannot strike it when the war against China breaks out in any future.

 

[Sir Dude]

More debt-trap nonsense from China.... always attractive funding for countries that have nothing, but Beijing gets the infratsucture and control if there is default... look at SriLanka. I guess it works with weak hopelessly corrupt countries where the politicians have no accountability or intention to make the country better... just want to swell their Swiss bank accounts.