As the first flight touched down on the fresh tarmac at Gwadar, it was hailed by Pakistan’s government as a step towards “progress and prosperity”. The new airport – the largest in the country – built in Pakistan’s troubled Balochistan province was “ a symbol of the cooperation between Pakistan and China”, according to the defence minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Yet the optics of the event told another story. As it unfolded, the city of Gwadar was put under a security lockdown. And while several senior Pakistan government and military figures were present, their Chinese government counterparts were noticeably absent – even though it was China footing the $230m bill for the airport.
Gwadar, with its Chinese-sponsored airport, deepwater port and proposed economic zone, has been touted as a jewel…
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Guardian Weekly (Digital) - 1 Issue, 7 February 2025