Tensions high as GRM continues protest unabated

Balochistan govt says it cannot be 'blackmailed through aggressive language'

QUETTA:

The Maulana is again in the national limelight.

For two months, the Gwadar Rights Movement (GRM) under the leadership of Maulana Hidayatur Rehman has been protesting in Gwadar, Pakistan's port city, turning up the heat against the government.

However, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Quddus Bizenjo-led government preferred to give cold shoulder to Maulana's protest. It was only after videos of protesters on social media went viral that the CM dispatched a delegation of ministers to quell the enraged protesters.

Two Balochistan ministers, including home minister Mir Ziaullah Langove and Lala Rasheed Dashti, rushed to Gwadar to hold talks with GRM leaders.

However, the defiant Maulana decided not to meet the visiting ministers and the ministers were forced to meet second-tier leaders of the GRM.

In a bid to counter the rising pressure, the police conducted a late-night raid to disperse the protesters. Later, the Maulana claimed the raiding police party picked up some GRM leaders, including women. There has been no formal response by the Balochistan police in this regard.

There were reports of suspension of internet services in Gwadar and tension prevailed on Monday.

Some protesters also blocked on the Quetta-Karachi highway at Mastung in solidarity with the GRM in Gwadar. Meanwhile, protests were also staged in Gwadar on Maulana's call.

The spokesperson government of Balochistan issued a statement on Monday morning and said the government was committed to ending all protests through peaceful means. However, the government cannot be blackmailed through aggressive language, the spokesperson maintained.

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Maulana, the leader of the Haq Do Tehreek (HDT), is critical of Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo and Balochistan National Party MPA, Hamal Kalmati. Mr Kalmati is an elected MPA of the nationalist party and is considered to be one of the closest allies of Mr Bizenjo.

GRM swept local bodies elections in Gwadar, which appeared to be a major blow to the Baloch nationalist parties. Mr Kalmati said, "Maulana's ambitions are now for the MPAship and protest is illegal trawling is merely a pretext to mobilize the masses".

In fact, the Maulana is posing a serious threat to the Baloch nationalist parties rather than the government of the day.

"These rulers are only deceiving the masses," Maulana Hidayat told Express Tribune. He said illegal fishing/trawling was underway right under the nose of the government. "They failed to stop illegal fishing and abolish unnecessary check posts," Maulana claimed.

Although, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said the government has made a progress in terms of implementation of the demands of the GRM. "We are committed to the political settlement of the issue," Mr Langove said. He said the government was trying hard to avoid the use of force.

The GRM under the leadership of Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman has blocked the main airport road, and the road leading to the port.

The Maulana had also asked the Chinese to leave the airport. He is also critical of the heightened security and unnecessary check posts in the port city of the country. Last year, the Maulana succeeded in organising a rally of thousands of women in Gwadar. The news was highlighted by national and international media.