Millions spent, dreams of New Dubai shattered: How China trapped Pakistan with Gwadar’s grand but empty airport

Gwadar: China built the Gwadar International Airport of Pakistan as a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a massive spending of 240 million dollars, making it the largest international airport of Pakistan. However, after years of service, the airport has turned into a giant waste. As per media reports, the Gwadar airport, which has a capacity to handle about 4 lakh passengers every year has only limited scheduled flight decided yet. Here are all the details you need to know about the Gwadar International Airport of Pakistan and how China trapped Pakistan with the gigantic airport.

Selling a dream of making Gwadar the Dubai of Pakistan, China constructed the massive Gwadar International Airport but after months of its opening, only limited flights have been scheduled from here till date. In addition to the economic failure, the locals of Gwadar claim that the airport has not given no jobs. Moreover, locals in Gwadar and Balochistan also express deep dissatisfaction, citing the lack of basic amenities like electricity and clean water, and minimal job opportunities.

Uyghur-American politician slams Pakistan’s Gwadar Airport as China’s strategic tool

In a significant development, a minister of the East Turkistan Government in exile has slammed Pakistan’s New Gwadar International Airport, which was funded by China, raising significant concerns about its true purpose.

In a post on social media platform X, Salih Hudayar, the Foreign and Security Minister argued that the airport serves China’s strategic interests rather than benefiting Pakistan or the local population of Gwadar. He warned that China intends to transform Balochistan into a “strategic colony.

How China trapped Pakistan?

Despite being a key component of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar remains largely underdeveloped, with local residents seeing few benefits from the project. The NGIA, a major infrastructure project funded by China at a cost of USD 250 million, is designed to accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

(With inputs from agencies)

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