When the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft landed at the new Gwadar International Gwadar Airport on Monday, it was welcomed with traditional water salute. Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called it a wonderful symbol of friendship with China. At the same time, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Global Times Has termed it ‘donation’.
Global Times “The new Gwadar International Airport, donated by China, has officially started operations on Monday. PIA503, the first flight of Pakistan International Airlines from Karachi, arrived at the airport,” said a post on the social media handle of Gwadar International Airport.
‘Symbol of friendship…’
Xinhua According to the report, “Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that the new Gwadar International Airport located in the country’s south-west Balochistan province is a wonderful symbol of friendship between China and Pakistan.”
Global Times A report said, “Shahbaz Sharif said that the people and government of Pakistan are grateful to China for the construction of the airport with international standards and modern facilities.”
However, in the comment section, people’s attention stopped at the word ‘donation’ and people responded with LOL smileys. Riyaz Baloch, a social media user, described Gwadar International Airport as ‘part of CPEC’s exploitation plan’.
In March 2019, the foundation stone of Gwadar International Airport was laid by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. At the same time, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in October 2024.
Pakistani daily tribune It has been reported in the report that Pakistan, facing local resistance and separatist movement in Balochistan, has not mobilized even one fifth of the capacity of CPEC. In several cases, Chinese civilians and properties have also been attacked by the Baloch Liberation Army in Gwadar.