Pakistan delays China-funded airport opening over security fears

Critics say $246m 'vanity' project risks turning into a white elephant

20240822 New Gwadar International Airport

New Gwadar International Airport, set to be Pakistan's largest air hub by size, was built with a $246 million grant from China. (Screenshot from New Gwadar International Airport's Facebook page) 

ADNAN AAMIR, Contributing writer

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan has postponed the opening of a nearly $250 million airport over security fears, dealing another blow to efforts to boost Chinese investment in its crisis-hit economy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was due to attend the inauguration of New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA), close to a port at the center of the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

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