Senate deputy chief miffed at Gwadar water woes

Haideri says problem persists despite claims of turning city into another Hong Kong

QUETTA: Deputy Chairman Senate and JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri expressed serious concern over the water crisis in Gwadar and said that the government has done nothing to resolve the issue despite its claim that the port city would be developed like Hong Kong.
Speaking at a seminar in the industrial town of Hub on Thursday, Haideri said that the livelihood of Gwadar’s fishermen was being snatched, adding, “Due to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the whole world has its eyes on Balochistan, as this multi-billion project will likely bring economic benefits to the entire region. That is why we want CPEC to be completed successfully.”



The deputy chairman said that the federal government had to change its attitude first towards Balochistan because the people lacked basic necessities including drinking water, health and education.
He also lashed out at the provincial government for not developing vocational training centers in order to face challenges following CPEC, asking, “How many students from Balochistan have been sent to China for study purposes? If we are making the world our enemy because of CPEC, then why are we keeping our people away from its benefits”

Development and progress are our basic rights, and we will get them at any cost, he told the audience, saying, “Indian indignation will make no difference, and we will get what we think is better for our own people.”
About recent developments in the country, he remarked, “There are several issues of the country but one of the issues that is of greatest concern is playing with the sentiments of the entire nation.”



The deputy chairman said, “We had warned the federal government not to play with the bill. If they would bring the amendment, we would have parted ways with the government and would have come to the streets. But thankfully, the federal government realised its mistake on time which did not worsen the situation.”

Haideri, while talking about Balochistan, said, “The federation is still treating Balochistan as its stepson, which has to be stopped.”