Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister, Mir Ziaullah Langove on Thursday said Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, the Chief of Gwadar Haq Do Tehrik has made the population hostage for last more than two months. Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Mr. Langove lashed out at the Maulana and other supporters of the Gwadar Rights Movement (GRM).
Parliamentary Secretary on Information, Mitha Khan Kakar, Inspector General of Police, Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, and other high-level officials were also present on the occasion. Tension prevailed for the fourth straight day as the GRM activists staged protest demonstrations. Cellular services and mobile services remained suspended in the port city of the country following the ongoing protests and agitation. The Balochistan government has also imposed section 144 on pillion riding and the display of weapons in Gwadar to maintain order.
Section 144 imposed in Gwadar on pillion riding and display of weapons
“Protesters causing damages to public and private properties in Gwadar”, Mir Ziaullah Langove claimed. However, the GRM leaders claimed the government was using force against the masses to quell what they claim peaceful protest. Angry protesters pelted stones and bricks at the policemen deployed in Gwadar.
The Minister stated that provincial ministers held repeated negotiations with Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman and other leaders of the GRM. He claimed that most demands of the Maulana and other leaders were met and that government was serious about resolving the issues faced by the people of Gwadar. 42 demands of the GRM have already been addressed and accepted by the government, the Minister claimed.
Roads and streets of Gwadar giving a deserted look
Roads and streets of the port city were given a deserted look as baton-wielding policemen were deployed in and around the city. The GRM claimed that police had arrested a large number of its activists. Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman has demanded the government release all arrested activists and address the issues of the people of Gwadar.
Mir Ziaullah Langove stated that Gwadar is the future of Pakistan and the government was committed to developing Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan and bringing them to par with other developed parts of the country.
