Gwadar residents call off sit-in after ‘successful negotiations’ with govt

Protesters reach 11-point agreement with government

QUETTA:

After a month of protests for their basic rights, the residents of Gwadar on Thursday called off their sit-in following successful negotiations with the government.

A government negotiating committee comprising federal ministers Asad Umar and Zubaida Jalal met the protesters and assured them of addressing their grievances.

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Thousands of fishermen along with women and children staged a sit-in for almost 31 days against unnecessary check posts and fishing trawlers in Gwadar district and were demanding civic amenities and employment opportunities for the local people.

Later, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo met the protesters.

The chief minister told them that the government had imposed a complete ban on illegal fishing.

The authorities concerned had been directed to take action against such illegal practices, he added. “Providing basic amenities to Gwadar and its people is one of our government’s top priorities.”

CM Bizenjo said all demands of the protesters had been accepted and the provincial government would utilise all its resources to resolve the issues of the locals.

The agreement reached between the government and the protesters, led by Haq Do Movement leader Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, includes 11 points.

• Trawlers mafia: Fisheries assistant director has been transferred. I case of presence of a trawler, action against the area's assistant director will be taken. Monitoring and barring trawling will be ensured through joint patrolling, with help of administration and fishermen. A desk will be allocated to a representative of the fishermen in the Fisheries Office. Suggestion to convert 12 nautical mile into 30 nautical mile will be forwarded to the relevant forum. Fishermen will be allowed to go into sea. People's movement won't be banned unnecessary during VIP movements.
• Border affairs: Trade to be restored as per code of conduct issued by the district administration.
• Border trade to be handed back to district administration from the FC, with all the powers.
• Token, e-tag, message and listing to be ended. To be implemented in one month.
• Unnecessary check posts: a joint committee will be formed for abolishing unnecessary check posts in Gwadar, Kech and Panjgur, which will conduct survey and provide suggestions for their removal.
• The chief minister will announce a specific package for the fishermen of Gwadar.
• After the resurvey of expressway victims, compensation to be provided at earliest.
• All cases against Haq Do Movement to be withdrawn and name of the leader to be removed from 4th Schedule.
• Measures will be taken for the compensation of affected fishermen of sea storms, by coordinating with Quetta deputy commissioner.
• Federal and provincial departments ensure the implementation of job quota for disabled persons.
• Privacy of locals in Makran division will be respected.
• No action will be taken against any member of Haq Do Movement.
• The provincial government will provide support in handing back boats, ships, and vehicles from Coast Guard and customs.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that the government would take "strong action" against illegal fishing by trawlers off the Gwadar coast.

In a tweet, the premier said he had taken notice of the "very legitimate demands" of the hardworking fisherfolk of Gwadar, a linchpin of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

According to the premier, he would also speak to Balochistan CM Bizenjo to address the reservations of the province’s fisherfolk community.