KARACHI – Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to inaugurate operations at the Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan’s Balochistan province during his upcoming visit to the country, according to Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday.
The Chinese-funded $200 million airport, designed to accommodate domestic and international flights, is one of Pakistan’s largest airports. Originally set for an inauguration on Aug. 14 by then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alongside Chinese officials, the opening was delayed due to security concerns following a sit-in protest led by an ethnic Baloch rights group. The postponement also followed deadly attacks by separatist militants in the region, highlighting ongoing security challenges.
Premier Li’s visit to Pakistan, scheduled from Oct. 14 to 17, will coincide with a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), hosted in Islamabad on Oct. 15 and 16. The SCO includes nine full members, such as China, India, Iran, and Russia.
The launch of the new airport is seen as a significant step in bolstering Pakistan’s infrastructure, particularly in Gwadar, a strategic port city. However, the region remains a hotbed of insurgency, with Baloch separatist militants and Islamist groups frequently launching attacks on government, military, and Chinese interests. These groups demand a greater share of the region’s mineral resources.
Security concerns were underscored again last week when an explosion near Karachi’s international airport killed two Chinese nationals, with the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claiming responsibility for the attack.
China has reiterated its commitment to working with Pakistan to safeguard the security of its personnel and projects in the country, as Chinese investments remain a target for militant groups. Premier Li’s visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries amid these challenges.