Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang virtually inaugurated the new Gwadar International Airport on Monday, a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The airport was initially scheduled to be inaugurated in August on Pakistan’s Independence Day. However, the event was postponed due to security concerns. The decision to hold the inauguration virtually reflects ongoing threats in the region, particularly against Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects.
During the ceremony, Premier Li praised the efforts of Pakistani and Chinese workers in completing the project, describing the airport as a symbol of the strong partnership between the two nations. He highlighted its importance in boosting regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Sharif called the airport a “gift” from China and emphasized its role in Pakistan’s infrastructure development. He described the project as “another feather in CPEC’s cap,” underscoring the continued cooperation between Pakistan and China for mutual economic growth.
The project, however, has faced significant opposition from Baloch political groups, who argue that the development primarily serves the interests of foreign powers and Pakistan’s military.
Earlier this year, the Baloch Student Organization-Azad (BSO-Azad) criticized the establishment of Gwadar International Airport, calling it a tool for Punjabi and Chinese colonization disguised as development.
Related: Gwadar Airport is a Gateway for Colonizers, Says BSO-Azad
The group argued that the airport is part of a broader strategy to settle non-Baloch people in the region, with the aim of turning Baloch people into a minority in their own land.
The virtual nature of the event also underscores the security challenges posed by Baloch armed groups, particularly the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has intensified its attacks on Chinese investments and personnel in recent years.
The BLA’s Majeed Brigade, a specialized unit tasked with targeting Chinese interests, has claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks, including the 2018 Dalbandin bombing, the 2019 assault on the Chinese consulate in Karachi, the 2022 attack on Chinese nationals at Karachi University, and a recent attack on October 6 near Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
Related: Majeed Brigade and ZIRAB Unit Behind Karachi Attack, Over 20 Killed, Says BLA
Following the October 6 attack, the BLA reiterated its demand for China to end its involvement in Balochistan. The group said that it had previously issued a 90-day ultimatum to China, calling for the withdrawal of all Chinese investments, projects, and military presence from the region.
“China ignored our clear and concrete warning and continued its efforts to strengthen its grip on our resources by backing Pakistan,” said the BLA spokesperson.
The group renewed its threat of further attacks unless China “immediately ends its illegal projects in Balochistan and abandons its alliance with Pakistan.” The BLA vowed to target all Chinese economic interests, investments, and military installations, declaring that “there will be no safe haven for them on Balochistan soil.”