After a month-long protest demanding basic rights, Gwadar residents withdrew their stay after the Pakistani government accepted “all their demands”.
Gwadar, a port city on the southwest coast of Balochistan in Pakistan, has been the scene of recent clashes between local people and the government over growing dissatisfaction with China’s presence in the city.
The protest saw tens of thousands of people, including women and children, march on the highways and on the streets protesting against the ‘trawlers mafia’ in search of better health facilities and drinking water.
Locals also complained that the Chinese authorities — which construct a major port under the Belt and Road program — provided outsourced work, leaving residents without work and struggling to make ends meet.
The Minister of Planning and Development Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi wrote on Twitter that the riots were over following successful talks with Maulana Hidayatur Rehman – the leader of the Gwadar protest movement.
“Negotiations with Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, in the presence of the Prime Minister, have been a great success. The government has accepted all the demands of Maulana sahib (Mr) and the dharna (protest) will be withdrawn, ”Buledi said.
Balochistan’s prime minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo visited the protest site and informed them that their demands had been met, Dawn reported.
Speaking to the protesters, Bizenjo said illegal fishing was strictly banned and orders had been issued to the relevant departments.
“These are all legal requirements,” he said. Providing the people of Gwadar with development projects and basic services is one of our priorities, he added.
Gwadar Harbor is an integral part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project ($ 60 billion), China’s leading multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project.
The strategic infrastructure project is important for both nations as it connects China province Xinjiang and Gwadar port in Balochistan province in Pakistan.