The protests in Gwadar continue as reports emerged that the authorities have deployed an additional force of 5,500 police personnel to perform anti-riot duties. The port city has been witnessing a prolonged protest by residents over a lack of basic facilities for more than two weeks. It is good to learn that other than a couple of officials, no one else will be carrying any weapons. There is no need for officials to be armed as the protests have remained peaceful throughout.

These protests are also unprecedented in nature given that thousands of local women also took part in the demonstrations. Given the legitimate demands of the protesters and considering how long the protests have continued for, it is imperative that their concerns are allayed at the earliest.

For a while, the locals in Gwadar have complained that the incoming investment has done little to improve their lives. The asks are quite simple and straightforward. The locals are asking for basic rights in the form of potable water, civic amenities, and employment opportunities for locals. The fisherfolk have also pointed out hindrances in fishing in open seas at the hands of industrial trawlers. These are all reasonable concerns on which the state must sincerely engage with the locals.

It is encouraging to hear that Balochistan’s planning minister Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi has reported progress in talks with a local religious and political leader Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman who is spearheading the movement. Additionally, China has also said that it was willing to work with Pakistan to ensure that the joint corridor project launched by the two countries would benefit the local population of the region.

These words must be turned into action as it is not just a basic rights issue, but also concerns the future of our development and connectivity projects. Before Gwadar can be the connectivity hub we envision it to be, it must first cater to its local residents and we must ensure that they are core stakeholders of any development project that is undertaken. Ensuring their buy-in for these initiatives will be key if any of this is to be successfully realised.