New Delhi

Tens of thousands of people marching in Gwadar, the port city of the restive Balochistan province of Pakistan, demanding drinking water, livelihoods, electricity, and removal of police and military checkpoints, has brought Imran Khan government on its knees.

 

After 28 days of massive protests by men, women, and children led by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman under the banner Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (The movement for restoration of rights of people of Gwadar), Imran Khan said their demands are legitimate and would be looked into.

 

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.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 12, 2021

 

The protesting Baloch people are demanding an end to the intrusion of Chinese Trawlers into their seas that is hurting the livelihoods of the local fishermen and investigation into the missing persons cases.

 

Fazila Baloch, a Baloch Human rights activist posted the video of the march in Gawar on Twitter:

#Gwadar, #Balochistan.

A mesmerising drone footage of Friday's protest in Gwadar where ten of thousands of people marched for economical & political rights. The rally is considered one of the largest in Balochistan's history. pic.twitter.com/OD6uVjWt2q

— Fazila Baloch🌺☀️ (@IFazilaBaloch) December 12, 2021

The protesters have given a 19-point demands charter to the local government. Rehman said the protests would continue till all their demands are met.

 

Interestingly, the protests in Balochistan have evoked the interests of Pakistani journalists and the media. Many well-known media persons are openly supporting the demands of the Baloch people. many journalists and other Pakistanis have shared the video of a Baloch man who is complaining of being forced to use fuelwood for cooking while entire Pakistan is supplied with the natural gas sourced from Sui in Balochistan.

 

 

Terri Mitti Mein Mill Jawaan..

In 1952 natural gas was discovered in Dera Bugti, Balochistan which is being supplied to entire Pakistan except the real owners (Baloch)..

Pakistan wants only the resources of Balochistan but not the people of occupied Balochistan. pic.twitter.com/LKGSDE4i6l

— Fazila Baloch🌺☀️ (@IFazilaBaloch) December 12, 2021

On the other hand Hamid Mir joined issues with the National security advisor of Imran Khan on the issue of the missing persons of Balochistan. Moeed had claimed all the people reporfted missing in Balcohistan had gone somewehere to fight the war.said. Hamir Mir wrote: 

Mr. Moeed Sahib, tell me, where did a Baloch woman teacher Zarina Murree go to fight? He had an infant in his lap. He was arrested along with the child and the men of the family were interrogated in Karachi. Many years have passed and the investigation has not been completed.

جناب معید صاحب یہ بتائیے کہ ایک بلوچ خاتون استاد زرینہ مری کہاں لڑائی کرنے گئی تھی؟ اسکی گود میں تو شیر خوار بچہ تھا اسے بچے سمیت گرفتار کیا گیا اور خاندان کے مردوں کے متعلق کراچی میں تفتیش کی گئی تھی کئی سال گذر گئے تفتیش ہی مکمل نہیں ہوئی https://t.co/oLmExPrdPg https://t.co/PbKWs7NZ5x

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) December 12, 2021

 

In fact leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) Manzoor Pashteen has promised support to the Baloch protesters if they plan to march to Islamabad. PTM is a non-violent movement for liberation of tribal areas of Pakistan.

Also Read: Will Gwadar prove to be a Waterloo for the CPEC?