There have been continuous protests in Gwadar, Balochistan against mega development plans of the port city since early November. The protesters, rallying under the Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (Give Rights to Gwadar Movement) have sought to draw attention to marginalisation of the local people in the development of the port.

They are angry that not only are they being excluded, their present livelihood too has been endangered. They are from Gwadar and nearby areas of coastal Balochistan including Turbat, Pishkan, Zamran, Buleda, Ormara and Pasni.

And also, despite the severe conservatism of Balochistan, women protesters have come out in large numbers.

Amid the rising protests against CPEC, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted, “I have taken notice of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. Will be taking strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers & will also speak to CM Balochistan.”

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman welcomed the premier's tweet. He is the general secretary of Jamaat-i-Islami party in Balochistan.

Rehman who is leading the Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (Give Rights to Gwadar Movement) said that their two major demands are first, action against "trawler mafia" and second is, resolution of issues on the Iran border from overall 19 demands.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the Balochistan Chief Minister on Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Ziaullah Lagau said that the protesters had a list of 19 demands, 16 of which had been accepted by the government.

“The demands accepted include illegal trawlers fishing in Gwadar port, patrolling increased to check on illegal trawlers, Freedom for local fishermen to go to sea, elimination of unnecessary check posts on major roads, closure of wine shops in Gwadar and elimination of interference in cross-border trade with Iran and end to all kinds of interference and establishment of trade markets at border,” he said.

The protests in Balochistan are part of growing discontent with China's presence in Gwadar, whose port is an integral part of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. CPEC is the flagship project of China's multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Balochistan is among the least developed even though the most resource-rich of Pakistan’s four provinces. The main means of livelihood for people in the region is fishing. Balochistan has the lowest access to drinking water, electricity, and even the gas that is the main resource of the region. India has protested to China over the CPEC as it traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Image Credit: Reuters File Photo