QUETTA: The All-Party Alliance protest at Marine Drive entered the 14th day on Sunday, as the district administration’s negotiating team reached the site to hold the first round of talks with the protestors.
The team included Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Bohair Dashti, Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Chief Engineer Haji Syed Muhammad, Deputy Tehsildar Munir Ahmed Zamurani and others. The team listened to 13 demands of the All-Party Alliance representatives and promised that those would be presented to the deputy commissioner, GDA director general and higher authorities for resolution.
The demands included complete end to trawling from Jewani to Gadani. An end to unannounced power outages and the heavy electricity bills in Makran. Immediate implementation of the Gwadar, Pasni, Jewani, and Ormara fisherman colony scheme. Ease of business through national identity cards at Kontani border and abolition of the token system. The proposed shipyard at Surbandan should be shifted to Kupper, Kalmat, or another location. Immediate disbursement of the aid announced by the prime minister for the victims of recent devastating rains in the district. Immediate dredging of Pasni Fish Harbour GTI and payment of salaries to BCDA employees. Emergency completion of all GDA projects from Dhor Gutti to Old City. Acceptance of the demands of the paramedics’ staff and Clerks Association. Priority employment for local youth of Gwadar in the workforce of the new international airport. Selection of Gwadar students on a priority basis for China scholarships for higher education.
Ownership rights should be granted to people of Surbandan, Mondi, Kalanchi, Padda, and Newabad, and properties currently under the provincial government’s name should be immediately transferred to the affected individuals. The last demand was, free movement of pick-up trucks at Nalint and Talar Coast Guard checkposts.
During the meeting, the district administration’s delegation assured the protesters that 100 personnel from the Levies Department had been deployed to assist the Fisheries Department in curbing trawling activities, patrolling from Jewani to Buzi Top.
The government delegation also confirmed that approval had already been granted for the fisherman colonies in all four tehsils, and allotment orders would be issued soon. Proposals for the Pasni and Ormara colonies have been sent to the provincial government. Development projects by GDA are ongoing, and after completion, public services will improve.
The Dhor Gutti water scheme’s pipeline is completed, and house connections will be made with the cooperation of the Public Health Department. House connections have also started in Old Mulaband.
Following the negotiations, the leaders of the All-Party Alliance, including Convener Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, and BNP District President Majid Sohrabi, addressed the protesters. They stated that all their demands are of public importance, and it is the government’s duty to address them according to the Constitution and law. They said that the protest would continue until the demands were accepted and implemented.
The protest was attended by a large number of people including workers from political parties and the public.
