Pakistan has postponed the inauguration of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) for the third time, citing security concerns, officials confirmed.
The airport, funded by China at a cost of $250 million, was supposed to start operations on January 1, 2025. However, the Aviation Ministry has cancelled the opening and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has withdrawn its first commercial flight which was scheduled for the same day.
The NGIA—a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—is designed to accommodate large aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Its original opening date of August 14, 2024, was intended to coincide with Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations. However, protests organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) forced the first postponement.
The second delay followed a series of deadly attacks claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) under its “Operation Herof,” which targeted key highways, railway bridges, mineral transport vehicles, and security camps. Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Balochistan government said that the launch was postponed again to review security measures in the region.
The latest postponement underscores the ongoing threats from Baloch armed groups opposed to Chinese investments in Balochistan. The BLA—one of the most prominent “pro-independence” armed groups—has frequently targeted military forces and infrastructure linked to the $65 billion CPEC project.
The BLA’s Majeed Brigade has carried out several high-profile 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, a 2019 assault on a luxury hotel in Gwadar.
In August 2021, a convoy of Chinese engineers was attacked in Gwadar, while in April 2022, a suicide bombing at Karachi University targeted Chinese staff at the Confucius Institute.
In August 2023, an attack in Gwadar killed 13 people, including four Chinese nationals and nine Pakistani military personnel. Most recently, in October 2024, the group claimed responsibility for an attack near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, targeting a Chinese delegation.
The BLA has repeatedly warned foreign nationals to avoid Balochistan, describing it as a “war zone.” In a statement following the October 2024 attack, the group vowed to continue targeting Chinese interests, stating, “We will not allow any foreign power to occupy Balochistan,” and warning of its capability to strike “anytime and anywhere.”
Analysts suggest the BLA’s ability to hit high-security zones, such as Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, underscores growing security challenges for Chinese projects in Pakistan. These attacks jeopardize China’s $65 billion investments under CPEC and complicate Pakistan’s efforts to project stability in the region.
The repeated delays in NGIA’s inauguration highlight broader security concerns surrounding CPEC-related projects and reflect the sustained resistance from armed groups in Balochistan.