ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the commencement of operations of Gwadar International Airport and said the newly opened facility will benefit the country’s economy. “The Gwadar airport could bring immense benefits to the people of Balochistan and the entire country if operated on commercial lines,” the Prime Minister said in his televised opening address at the federal cabinet meeting. Gwadar International Airport, a key project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), began operations a day earlier with the landing of the first PIA flight from Karachi carrying 46 passengers. Spread over an area of 4,300 acres, the airport is the largest in terms of area in Pakistan. The airport is located 26 kilometers from Gwadar city in the Gurandani region and has a single runway of 3,658 meters length and 75 meters width. The runway is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. During today’s meeting, the Prime Minister informed the Cabinet that the airport, completed with funding from China to the tune of $230 million, had commenced operations as the country’s largest airport a day earlier. “But those who are ready to harm Pakistan and continue killing people are not only going against the people of Balochistan but also showing their enmity towards the whole of Pakistan… We should appreciate this Chinese gift to Pakistan. Gwadar Airport can be a milestone for the development of Pakistan.” he remarked. Referring to the 10-year country partnership framework for Pakistan announced by the World Bank, he said that Pakistan would get $20 billion in loans for the development of many social sectors and infrastructure. He called on relevant ministries to urgently and jointly strive to achieve the goals of the Framework and overcome obstacles in the process. The Prime Minister expressed delight over the record growth of IT exports to an all-time high of $348 million by December 2024 and also expressed satisfaction over the continuous increase in the country’s overall exports and improving economic indicators. He appreciated the performance of Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, concerned Federal Secretary and others and called for more efforts to further increase IT exports. He opined that only serious and sincere efforts and team work can ensure the boost of Pakistan’s economy and achieve progress. He expressed the hope that the upcoming Hajj will be comfortable for the pilgrims with their stay and other facilities in Makkah and Madinah as the concerned minister and his ministry are making efforts in this regard. The Prime Minister said the nation owed the security forces their immense sacrifice to ensure the development and prosperity of the country. He said that the people of Pakistan greatly honor the sacrifices of security personnel who orphaned their children and saved the future of millions of others in the country.
