THE month-long protests of people of Gwadar finally attracted the attention of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday as he vowed to take care of the main demand of the fishermen for action against the illegal trawler mafia.
In a statement, he pledged to take strong action against illegal fishing by trawlers, adding the issue would be taken up with Balochistan Chief Minister.
Gwadar is no longer an obscure place as it has a pivotal role in the economic development of Pakistan and because of its strategic location.
In this backdrop, it is really surprising that the Government should take notice of a strong protest campaign during which a massive rally, attended by tens of thousands of people of the region, was also held.
The protestors, including women and children, were pressing for 19 demands and most of them should have immediately been accepted as they were legitimate and genuine.
As for their main demand for a ban on fishing trawler mafia, the concerns of the people of Gwadar are quite understandable as fishing had been and is still the major source of livelihood for a majority of the residents.
No doubt, in the changed socio-economic scenario and fast moving developmental activities in Gwadar, the Government, in collaboration with China, has embarked upon a skill development programme for people of the area but it is understood that it will take some time to materialize and benefit fully to the residents.
Therefore, it is essential that there should be no threat to the economic interests of the ordinary fishermen, who find them helpless before modern but unregulated local and foreign fishing trawlers.
Apart from action against illegal fishing trawlers, a comprehensive programme should also be initiated to help local people adapt to modern fishing technology.
It is also confusing that besides keeping their eyes closed towards illegal fishing, the authorities also imposed uncalled for curbs and restrictions on movement of fishermen which badly affected their access to sea.
These have now been eased but their imposition highlights lack of foresight on the part of the policy planners who did not think about interests and difficulties of the local people.
Other issues agitated by the protesting people were also quite relevant and genuine including establishment of a university in Gwadar on a fast-track basis, priority to locals in jobs for development projects, recruitment against vacant seats in education department, implementation of quote for disabled, action against sale of fake and spurious medicines, provision of clean drinking water and compensation to people affected by the Expressway.
There were, of course, some unreasonable demands like free for all cross-border trade on Pak-Iran border, which amounted to give a clean chit for rampant smuggling that has already damaged Pakistan’s economic interests, waiver and subsidy on utility bills and removal of senior officials.
However, things could have been settled through serious negotiations but the authorities concerned did not show the required level of interest or concern over brewing trouble in a coastal city that is going to become a hub of domestic and regional trade and commercial activities.
