Women protest in Gwadar against China-Pakistan’s CPEC projects

Gwadar: – The agitation against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the ambitious Chinese project Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has acquired a more comprehensive form. On Monday, thousands of women and girl students took to the streets to protest. The Pakistan media also is forced to take cognisance of the developments and it is apparent that the discontent against China, the Pakistan government and the military is intensifying.

Over the last few weeks, the agitation has been going on in Gwadar, the main port in Baluchistan, against the restrictions imposed by the Pakistan government and the military and the inadequate facilities. The scope of the agitation, which started under the name ‘Gwadar Ko Haq Do’ (Give its rights to Gwadar), is seen to be steadily increasing. Political parties, civic groups, fishermen and even ordinary civilians participated on a large scale in the agitation.

Removal of the security posts set up by the Pakistan military at every 100 metres, removal of the huge trawlers from the Makran coast and streamlining of the electric and water supplies are the demands made by the agitators. Local leader Moulana Hidayat Ur Rehman has warned that the agitation will continue till the demands are met. He said that the agitation had to be started as the government chose to ignore the fundamental issues in Gwadar.

On Monday, thousands of women and girl students from Makran and the surrounding regions participated in the protests. The media informed that these included women from the Turbat, Ormara, Jiwani and Pasni regions. Extensive rallies were organised by these women, children and girl students to various parts of the city, starting from the Al Johar Public School. Strong slogans were given against the local government and in support of the demands.

If the local population is not going to benefit from the CPEC and the Gwadar port, they are not required here. Local leader, Moulana Hidayat Ur Rehman, warned that coastal highways and other important roads would be blocked in the coming times. He expressed deep regret that the agitators were being accused of being Indian agents because they were protesting against the Pakistan government.

The agitation started in Gwadar is considered the symbol of the increasing discontent against the CPEC in Pakistan. The Gwadar project is regarded as the most crucial part of the ambitious BRI scheme. But there is widespread resentment against the Chinese companies and their employees who have come to Pakistan for this project and the security systems implemented by the local administration.