Militant Attacks in Pakistan Delay Launch of China-Backed Airport, Sources Say

By Asif Shahzad and Saleem Ahmad

ISLAMABAD – The commencement of operations at a Chinese-funded airport in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has been delayed for a security assessment following recent deadly attacks by separatist militants in the region, according to government and aviation sources.

Over 70 individuals lost their lives in coordinated assaults across Balochistan, where militants, looking to detach the resource-rich area, have been targeting government forces and projects associated with the $65-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Anchored in President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, the program also includes a deep-water port near the new $200-million airport in Gwadar, a joint venture involving Pakistan, Oman, and China that is nearing completion.

This airport is set to accommodate both domestic and international flights, making it one of the largest airports in the country, as indicated by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Originally, plans were in place for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to inaugurate the airport on August 14, alongside Chinese officials. However, this was canceled due to protests from an ethnic Baloch rights group, according to official sources.

In light of last week’s attacks, which were among the deadliest in years, officials from both the CAA and the Balochistan provincial government revealed that flight operations would be postponed while security conditions in the area are reassessed.

"The Chinese had already expressed concerns regarding the security situation, and the recent attacks will undoubtedly lead to further delays," stated a senior provincial official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity surrounding the issue.

When questioned about the delay and security issues, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed its willingness to collaborate with Pakistan to improve security measures and ensure the continued progress of the corridor’s construction.

A spokesperson for the provincial government refrained from commenting, and there was no response from Pakistan’s information minister regarding inquiries about the situation.

Although the recent militant attacks did not specifically target Chinese projects, such initiatives have frequently been subjected to attacks by insurgents, who perceive China as a foreign entity attempting to exploit local resources.

It remains uncertain whether Beijing has proposed direct assistance to Pakistan in managing the security of Chinese projects.

In the past, special Chinese security teams have partnered with Pakistani agencies to investigate insurgents responsible for attacks on Chinese nationals, including a suicide bombing directed at Chinese teachers in Karachi in 2022.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), one of the several separatist militant groups that have engaged in a long-standing insurgency, has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks.

In response to these assaults, Pakistan’s army confirmed on Friday that it has initiated intelligence-based operations against the militants.