Gwadar protest: Pakistan PM Imran Khan promises ‘stern action’ against illegal fishing trawlers

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday he would take “stern action” against illegal fishing by trawlers off the Gwadar coast, a setback to the government after weeks of sit-ins and protests by local residents and thousands of additional police officers to the authorities and forced to deploy.

Hundreds of local residents, civil society activists, lawyers, journalists including women have been protesting for the past 28 days in Gwadar against unnecessary checkpoints, acute shortage of water and electricity and livelihood threats from illegal fishing. are protesting.

Khan tweeted, “I have taken note of the very legitimate demands of the hardworking fishermen of Gwadar. Will take strict action against illegal fishing by trawlers and will also talk to CM Balochistan.”

Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Balochistan general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami party, which led the protests, welcomed the premier’s tweet.

Rahman, who is heading Gwadar ko Hukuk do Tehreek (Give Gwadar Movement rights), said he had two major demands – action against the “trawler mafia” and resolution of issues along the Iran border – from 19 demands in total.

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

“The demands accepted include illegal fishing trawlers in Gwadar port, increased patrolling to check illegal trawlers, freedom to sea for local fishermen, removal of unnecessary checkposts on major roads, closure of liquor shops in Gwadar and Cross-border trade with Iran and ending all forms of interference and establishing trade markets on the border,” he told reporters.

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

The massive infrastructure project connects China’s Xinjiang province with the Gwadar port in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

Gwadar port has long been portrayed as the jewel in the CPEC crown, but in the process, the city has become a symbol of a security state.

India has protested against China over CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Demonstrators from Gwadar, Turbat, Pishkan, Jamran, Buleda, Ormara and Pasni are taking part in Gwadar ko Hukuk do Tehreek (Give authority to Gwadar movement) under the leadership of Maulana Rehman.

They have vowed to continue their protest till their demands are met and earlier this week women also took out a big rally in Gwadar and Pasni.

The protesters have put forward 19 demands, including steps to free the sea from the “trawler mafia” and allow fishermen to venture into the waters freely, get rid of unnecessary check posts and “insult” civilians in the name of security. does not include.

He also demanded that all liquor shops in Gwadar be closed and border trade with Iran be allowed.

Balochistan is home to a long-running violent insurgency, and China’s presence in Gwadar has caused much social unrest and has given rise to anti-Chinese sentiment. It has also promoted Baloch extremist insurgent groups, which have carried out terrorist attacks in protest against CPEC projects.

The demands also stated that most of the people employed by China Overseas Port Holding Company were from outside Gwadar and called for giving priority to local people.