Summary

Completed in October 2024 with $240 million in Chinese funding, New Gwadar International Airport remains closed.

Located in impoverished Balochistan, the project has generated little benefit for locals, who face meager infrastructure, scarce water, and minimal job opportunities.

Increased security measures to protect Chinese investments have added to tensions, compounding fears amid a longstanding insurgency.

Government pledges to improve local services remain unfulfilled, fueling discontent. Critics say the project primarily serves Chinese interests, while demands for local hiring and utilities remain unmet, deepening mistrust.