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Several people in Gwadar have been protesting since November 15 against unnecessary check posts, severe shortages of water and electricity, and threats to employment posed by illegal fishing.
Many women staged a protest rally in Gwadar yesterday in support of the ongoing sit-in on Port Road in Gwadar from November 15 by Haq Do Tehreek, which is being termed as the largest women’s rally in history of the city.
The government has accepted four demands of Gwadar ‘Haq Do Tehreek’ but the participants of the sit-in are not satisfied with them. That is why the sit-in is still going on.
Location of Gwadar
Gwadar is an important city in the province of Balochistan located in the extreme southwest of Pakistan and on the world’s largest maritime trade route and state-of-the-art port under construction.
The importance of the modern port of the 21st century in Gwadar, a city with a coastline of 60 km, is fast approaching. In the future, not only Pakistan but also China, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries will depend on this port for most of their maritime trade.
Gwadar population and livelihood
Gwadar has a population of half a million according to official figures and one lakh according to independent sources. The city is surrounded by the sea on three sides and the sea breezes are blowing all the time which makes it a beautiful and charming sight.
In addition to the deep sea, there are high cliffs around the city. Most of the city’s inhabitants depend on fishing for their livelihood.
Right two-movement
Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, head of Haq Do Rally in Gwadar, said that he has been protesting for justice and jobs for his people since November 15.
“Illegal fishing on the southwestern coast of Makran is robbing fishermen of their jobs. We are not against any organization but we will not tolerate insults from our mothers and sisters,” he said.
We are against those who do not allow our youth to go to the playground. He said that the Department of Fisheries, the Coast Guard, the Maritime Security Agency, and other relevant agencies have failed to stop poaching.
He also raised the issue of inadequate health facilities, lack of clean drinking water, and lack of jobs for educated youth.
Government measures
An important meeting regarding sit-in in Gwadar was held in Turbat under the chairmanship of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo. In addition to the provincial ministers, a meeting was held in which Commander of 12 Corps of Pakistan Army Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ali, Chief Secretary Balochistan Motahar Niaz Rana, IG Police, GOC 44 Division, IGFC, Commander Navy, and other relevant federal and Provincial officials attended.
The meeting finalized the modalities of trade of oil and foodstuffs with Iran in view of the livelihood and convenience of the people.
It was decided to remove the requirement of obtaining tokens for transportation and bringing oil. The registration process will be further facilitated which will facilitate trade to the locals.
Protesters’ concerns
Despite the government approving four demands, the protesters say that notifications have been issued but are not being implemented.
Demonstrators say livelihoods and jobs are our biggest demands. They said that despite the protests, illegal fishing is still going on, and large fishing trawlers can be seen on the coast from Ormara to Gwadar.
He said illegal fishing was destroying marine life and depriving local fishermen of their livelihood. Protesters say the token system should be completely abolished by stopping poaching and border trade should be restored as before.
Women’s Rally
A rally was also organized by women in support of the movement. The rally started from Al-Jawhar Public School and ended at GDA Park Marine Drive.
The women participating in the rally chanted slogans in favor of Gwadar Haq Do Tehreek and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman. It is being called the largest women’s rally in the city’s history.
CPEC plan
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a major trade project aimed at delivering oil and gas from southwest Pakistan to the northwestern Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang via Gwadar port, railways, and motorways in a short time.
The Economic Corridor is considered to be of central importance in Pak-China relations. The road from Gwadar to Kashgar is about 2442 km long. The total cost of the project is estimated at 46 46 billion.
Sit-in threatens CPEC
The CPEC project is of great importance not only to China but also to Pakistan which is why India has been pushing hard from day one to sabotage this project and under the guise of this sit-in continues to discredit Pakistan globally. Is continuing in which the United States is supporting it.
Protesters have no problem with CPEC. Their protest is for their basic rights and solution to their problems. However, India is still engaged in a conspiracy against the project by giving a different color to this protest against CPEC.
There is a need for the government to deal with the protesters as soon as possible by resolving issues with the sit-in participants and for the protesters to be flexible in their behavior as there is definitely a difference between issuing and implementing a notification but if the notification is issued, implementation will also be made possible, so the government will have to give time for necessary steps. The US needs to resolve the issues through dialogue so that the enemy forces do not get a chance.
