Syed Ali Shah:
GWADAR: The Maulana is not only a headache for the Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo-led provincial government rather he is posing a serious threat to the Baloch nationalist political parties. The Baloch nationalists are skeptical about his movement and call it a pre-planned conspiracy to weaken the nationalist movement. The charge was vehemently denied by Maulana and other GRM leaders. The Maulana swept the local bodies elections, which appeared to be a major blow to the Baloch nationalist parties in the port city of the country.
Ideologically, the Maulana is associated with Jamaat e Islami (JI), the religious party, which always enjoys the support of the establishment. The JI has been very active and strong in Gwadar and other parts of the Mekran division for a long time. People still respect and acknowledge, the JI’s leader Maulana Abdul Haq Baloch’s political struggle and vision.
JI had a strong base in Gwadar
In the 1980s the Baloch nationalist leaders including the late Mir Ghous Bizenjo were facing political resistance from the JI in Gwadar, Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, the Chief of Balochistan National Party once told this scribe. Although, Maulana Hidayat claimed to have distanced himself from the JI. The Baloch nationalists say Maulana has far-reaching political ambitions.
“His eyes are now focused on MPAship”, Mir Hamal Kalmati once told this scribe. Hamal belongs to the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) and is an MPA from the port city.
Talks failed between Maulana and Balochistan government
On Sunday, talks failed between the visiting provincial ministers and leaders of the Gwadar Rights Movement (GRM). As expected the GRM Chief, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman preferred not to meet the visiting Balochistan Home Minister, Mir Ziaullah Langove, and Lala Rasheed Dashti in the country’s port city.
This forced the provincial ministers to hold dialogue with the second-tier leadership of the movement. The GRM has been protesting for last more than two months to mount pressure on the Balochistan government to accept its demands. The Balochistan government ignored the GRM protests and sit-ins for more than two months and played delaying tactics to weaken the defiant Maulana.
Ministers rush towards Gwadar
However, recent videos shared on social media by people highlighting the intensity of the protest forced the ministers to rush towards the port of Gwadar and quell the ongoing protest. “Rulers are not serious and they are just deceiving the masses”, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman told this scribe. Despite repeated appeals and requests, the government is yet to bring an end to illegal trawling and abolish unnecessary check posts in Gwadar, the Maulana claimed.
Although, the Balochistan government claimed to have made considerable progress with regard to the implementation of the demands of the GRM. In a statement issued on Monday morning, the Spokesperson government of Balochistan said the provincial government was committed to addressing the issues through political and peaceful means. This government has ended all protests through peaceful negotiations, however, it can not be blackmailed through aggressive language, the Spokesperson warned. There was no immediate response on behalf of the GRM.
“Illegal fishing underway right under the nose of government”, Maulana claims
“Government failed to address our concerns about border trade”, Maulana Hidayat claimed. He said the traders were facing difficulties at the Pak-Iran border. “We want to end these restrictions”, the Maulana demanded.
Last year, the Maulana gathered thousands of women protesters in Gwadar, which attracted national and international media. The situation prompted Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo to hold an immediate dialogue with the defiant Maulana. Subsequently, the GRM ended its protest after having successful negotiations with Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman and other GRM leaders.
The Maulana also claimed that illegal fishing/trawling was going on in Gwadar right under the nose of the provincial government. Although, the Balochistan government claims to have arrested people involved in illegal fishing.
A few days back, the Maulana and some GRM leaders displayed weapons and threatened armed resistance if their demands were not met. This prompted the police to register an FIR against the Maulana and 12 other leaders of the GRM. The photo of Maulana was widely shared and condemned on social media.
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