Why Gwadar, Pakistan's Chinese-Backed Port City, Faces Recurring Militant Attacks

Gwadar, a strategic port city in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has repeatedly come under militant attacks despite being a cornerstone of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The port holds enormous geopolitical and economic significance for both Beijing and Islamabad, making it a high-profile target for insurgent groups. Baloch separatist militants have long opposed the project, arguing that local communities are excluded from its economic benefits. For ordinary residents of Gwadar, the persistent threat of violence disrupts daily life, including basic activities like sending children to school. The attacks reflect a deeper conflict between state-driven development ambitions and the grievances of the local Baloch population.