Gwadar Protest Enters Fifth Day as Local Lawyers and Political Leaders Express Solidarity
Gwadar, Pakistan:The ongoing protest in Gwadar, demanding solutions to the city’s longstanding social and economic issues, entered its fifth day on Thursday. The protest, organized by the All Parties Gwadar Alliance, has gained significant attention, with various political and social leaders joining the demonstration to show their support.
A delegation from the Gwadar Bar Association, led by President Naeem Sharif, participated in the protest, expressing solidarity with the alliance’s demands. The delegation included prominent lawyers such as former presidents Advocate Sadiq Zamorani and Advocate BNPA’s General Secretary, Saeed Faiz, who highlighted the urgent need to address the issues facing the local population.
The protestors reiterated their grievances, which include a lack of basic amenities like electricity and water, the closure of fishing zones, poor infrastructure, and delays in post-flood relief. They also voiced concerns over the ongoing restrictions on oil tankers at various checkpoints, which they claim lead to humiliation and unnecessary delays for local businesses.
Addressing the crowd, the speakers emphasized that despite the development of Gwadar Port and an international airport, the city’s residents have been left without essential services. They criticized the government’s failure to address the needs of the local population while billions of dollars were allocated for development projects in other regions like Lahore and Islamabad.
The protestors also condemned the alleged exploitation of the local population in the name of “Baloch nationalism” and rejected the current political representation, which they described as “fake” and out of touch with the needs of the people.
“Gwadar’s residents are not against development, but we demand that they should not be ignored in the process. We want our basic rights – employment, access to essential services, and dignity,” said Naeem Sharif, President of the Gwadar Bar Association.
The protest is set to continue under the leadership of NPP District President and All Parties Gwadar Chairman, Hoot Abdul Ghafur. The movement has garnered widespread support from various local leaders and activists, including Baboo Ahmad Bakhsh, Mir Ahmad from Kalanji, Taj Baloch, and Nasser Kalanji, among others.
The protestors warned that if their demands are not met, they will escalate their efforts to ensure that the issues of Gwadar’s marginalized communities are brought to the forefront of national politics.
