Gwadar protest enters 10th day, demands not met

QUETTA: All Parties Alliance sit-in in Gwadar Marine Drive continued for the tenth day. The government has not yet accepted their demands.

The leaders of the All Parties Alliance of Kech, led by Convener Nawab Shambayzai, along with other leaders including Maulana Abdul Hamid Mengal, Abdul Ghafoor Hoth and Moula Bakhsh Mujahid arrived at the protest and declared their support.

Speaking at the occasion, Nawab Shambayzai stated that the people of Makran have become the victims of a war between two global powers. This war has reached their doorstep, and to avoid it, it is necessary for the people of Makran to unite.

They pointed out that the common laborer is aware of the problems of Makran and their solutions so how it is that the rulers and policymakers do not know them. They are well aware of these problems but have deliberately chosen to remain deaf and mute, as they have their ownpriorities. They added that in any civilized society, a protest is a last resort, but in Makran, protests and hunger strikes are held every other day because the government does not address the issues.

They also mentioned that currently, protests are being held in Gwadar and Hoshab by people whose loved ones have gone missing. Their demand is that their relatives should not be disappeared, and if they have committed a crime, they should be punished according to the law. They said that in Gwadar, people are being abducted every day, but the contracts and privileges have silenced the MPA of Gwadar. Because of the MPA’s silence, people are being abducted. The MPA, who made big promises before the elections, has been silenced by government perks.

They emphasised that currently, Makran has seven MPAs, two MNAs, and one senator, yet the rulers are ignoring the issues. They said that demands are made from those who can give us something, but the government has nothing to offer.

They urged the senior leadership to come forward and restore the public’s trust. They concluded by stating that until their demands are met, their protest will continue.