Panjgur Airport, once a vital link between the region and the rest of the country, has been inactive for many years, limiting travel options for residents and worsening the area’s socio-political and economic challenges. In the absence of a functioning airport, people have been left to rely on long, difficult routes to cities like Karachi and Quetta. The want for an airport is felt even further in case of emergencies. This isolation has made life harder for a population already facing numerous hardships.
Strategically located near the Iranian border, Panjgur has the potential to drive local growth. Since the airport opened in 2011, it boosted trade and tourism, energising the local economy. However, due to poor maintenance and declining passenger numbers, it is left abandoned, deepening the region’s struggles.
This neglect is largely due to the government apathy and mismanagement. Promises of improvements and upgrades have been made but have never been fulfilled, leaving the local community deprived of essential air travel service. To bring Panjgur Airport back to life, the government must make infrastructure development a priority. A public-private partnership could help revitalise the airport, boosting the economy and supporting a community that has long been overlooked.
Noman Arbab Baloch
Panjgur
