The inauguration of New Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan has been delayed for the third time due to security threats in the region.
The airport was scheduled to start operations on January 1, 2025, as a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The airport funded at a cost of $250 million is structured to accommodate large aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
The initial opening date of the airport was August 14, 2024. It was aimed to coincide with Pakistan’s Independence Day however due to protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) its inauguration was delayed.
Fatal strikes targeted on key highways, railway bridges, mineral transport vehicles, and security camps under “Operation Herof” by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) caused the second delay.
The BLA, one of the most prominent pro-independent arms groups has described Balochistan as a ‘war zone’ and has repeatedly warned the foreign nationals to leave Balochistan.
It has also made several attacks including a 2018 suicide bombing on a bus carrying Chinese engineers in Dalbandin, an attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi later that year, and a 2019 assault on a luxury hotel in Gwadar.
Therefore the rising security threats from the Baloch armed groups against Chinese investment in Balochistan is deemed to be the reason for the third delay in the inauguration of the airport.
