Gwadar protesters end sit-in after govt "accepts demands"

Updated 16 Dec, 2021 07:44pm 2 min read
Thousands of demonstrators gather at Marine Drive in Gwadar, Pakistan, on December 10, 2021, to protest illegal trawling. Arab News file photo
Thousands of demonstrators gather at Marine Drive in Gwadar, Pakistan, on December 10, 2021, to protest illegal trawling. Arab News file photo

The protesters in Gwadar have ended their 32 day sit-in saying the federal government has accepted all of their demands, according to a tweet by a Balochistan govt minister.

Jamat e Islami leader Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman has called off the protest staged by the people of Gwadar emanding their fundamental rights after successful negotiation with the government.

Balochistan Minister for Planning and Development Zahoor Buledi confirmed the development on Twitter saying the negotiation between the government and Balochistan secretary-general of JI took place in the presence of the province's chief minister, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo.

The month-long protestors denounced the large fishing trawlers encroaching on their livelihood.

They had also been demanding provision of health facilities and supply of drinking water.

Addressing the protesters on Thursday, Bizenjo said all their demands had been accepted.

He also said that the government had imposed a complete ban on illegal fishing and the directions in this regard had been issued to the concerned authorities.

Earlier in the day federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar along with Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal visited Gwadar on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A high level meeting to review progress on Gwadar development projects was also held on Thursday with Bizenjo in the chair.

Jalal and Umar along with Advisor to the Prime Minister on CPEC, Khalid Mansoor had attended the meeting.

Chairman Gwadar Port Authority Naseer Kashani and DG Gwadar Development Authority, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman had briefed the meeting on the ongoing development projects in Gwadar.

The meeting also reviewed the establishment of Gwadar University, Gwadar Cadet College, Vocational Training Center, supply of clean drinking water and other issues.