Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday emphasized that the New Gwadar International Airport will bring prosperity to the region and create new job opportunities. The meeting was informed that flights from Gwadar to Muscat will commence on January 10, 2025. Discussions are also underway to initiate domestic and international flight operations by airlines from Pakistan, China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The prime minister extended his gratitude to China for constructing the state-of-the-art airport, calling it a testament to the strong friendship between Pakistan and China.
Speaking during a high-level meeting, the prime minister expressed optimism about the airport’s potential to transform Gwadar into a key transit hub, APP reported.
Directives to Boost Connectivity and Security
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to develop a comprehensive strategy to make the airport a busy transit point. He also instructed improvements to the road network connecting the airport to other parts of the country, particularly within Balochistan. Additionally, he ordered foolproof security arrangements to ensure the safety of the airport and its operations.
The prime minister also announced that the frequency of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights between Karachi and Gwadar will soon increase to three times per week.
Largest Airport in Pakistan
Officials briefed the meeting that the New Gwadar International Airport is the largest in Pakistan in terms of area and is capable of handling A-380 airplanes. The airport is expected to serve 400,000 passengers annually. The Pakistan Airport Authority has already issued the Aerodrome Certificate for the airport, and Pakistan Customs has officially notified it as operational.
Facilities and Infrastructure Development
The meeting was informed that land has been allocated for various facilities at the airport, including cold storage, warehouses, courier services, cargo shades, technical ground support equipment, fuel farms, hotels, and shopping malls. Banks registered with the State Bank of Pakistan are also in discussions to establish branches and ATM machines at the airport.
Additionally, staff from key departments such as the Pakistan Airport Authority, Airport Security Force, Pakistan Customs, Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Border Health Service have already been deployed at the airport.
Road Connectivity and East-Bay Expressway
The first phase of the East-Bay Expressway, designed to improve road connectivity with the airport, has been completed, while the feasibility study for the second phase is underway.
Meeting Participants
The meeting was attended by Minister for Defence and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, and other senior officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Minister for Privatization, Investment, and Communication Abdul Aleem Khan, participated via video link.
