Strong protests in Gwadar against Pakistan-China's CPEC project

Karachi – Strong protests are being held against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the ambitious Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. The protests called for ‘Give Rights to Gwadar’, demanding water and electricity supply and removal of security posts. As reported, a big rally was organised on Sunday by Jamaat-e-Islami in Gwadar, Balochistan.

Moreover, a huge protest has been seen in Gwadar, which is the main port in Balochistan. The rally is against the restrictions imposed by the Pakistan government and the military and against the inadequate facilities. The agitation has been going on for four days, with many meetings, protests, and rallies. The demand is for removal of security posts, removal of huge trawlers from the Makran coast and providing water and electrical supply.

Political parties, civic groups, fishermen, and ordinary civilians have participated on a large scale in the protests. Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman, a local leader, said that the agitation would continue till the demands. He said that the protests are being held as the government has ignored people’s fundamental rights in Gwadar. Rehman also criticised that although a huge project is coming up in Gwadar, the local population remains unemployed and the government is not paying any attention to this problem.

The agitation in Gwadar represents the increasing discontent, against the CPEC, in Pakistan. Gwadar project is the most important in the ambitious Chinese Belt and Road initiative. However, there has been dissent against the Chinese companies and their employees present in Pakistan and against the restriction due to security posts imposed by the local administration. The growing dissent is starting to take the form of intense agitation.