Pakistan and China have laid an agreement to construct an expressway that will link Gwadar with the new Gwadar International Airport under construction by China.
This is after meetings held between the Chinese officials and Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Beijing. Expressway formed part of the CPEC, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, worth over $65 billion, which China had earmarked for various projects in Pakistan, including energy, infrastructure, and development.
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The new Gwadar International Airport, one of the largest in Pakistan, is destined for both domestic and international flights and is to be opened before the end of December 2024. The intention was to finalize this airport last December, but this has taken longer than expected because of an anticipated security review due to attacks by militants in the region which have triggered security concerns before operations may continue.
Also included is the facility of this expressway. New feasibility studies for building new motorways including some routes through Mirpur and Muzaffarabad are also reasons for developing these bilateral relationships. There will also be a route connecting Karachi and Hyderabad. Part of the Belt and Road Initiative of China, the CPEC seeks to improve connectivity and encourage economic growth. However, Balochistan still remains a region where Chinese projects have targeted attacks by separatist groups.