ISLAMABAD, (TDI): Pakistan and China have reached an agreement to construct an expressway linking the Gwadar Port to the new Gwadar International Airport, currently under development by China.
This announcement follows a series of meetings between Chinese officials and Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is on an official visit to Beijing.
According to Pakistan’s state-run news agency APP, the expressway project is part of a broader infrastructure initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has seen China commit more than $65 billion in funding for various projects in Pakistan, including energy, infrastructure, and development efforts.
The airport, set to be one of the largest in Pakistan, is expected to handle both domestic and international flights upon completion.
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The new Gwadar International Airport, located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, is slated to open by the end of December 2024, following delays related to security concerns after separatist militant attacks in the region.
These attacks, which have targeted infrastructure projects and foreign nationals, prompted a security review before operations could proceed.
The airport is part of a broader development plan, which includes the construction of a deep-water port, a joint venture involving Pakistan, China, and Oman.
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In addition to the expressway, the two countries have agreed to initiate feasibility studies for new motorways, including routes linking Mirpur and Muzaffarabad, as well as Karachi and Hyderabad.
The CPEC, a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aims to enhance connectivity and foster economic growth in the region.
However, security concerns persist, particularly in Balochistan, where separatist groups have frequently targeted Chinese projects, viewing China’s involvement as a form of foreign exploitation.
