Category: World News

Over the last few weeks, the world has seen a mass mobilization of the people in the GB region, voicing for economic and social justice and sovereignty. A special report

As Pakistan’s economic conditions worsen, the situation becomes even more critical in the rather conflict-ridden region of Gilgit-Baltistan. Historically, the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region has been bereft of the autonomy of the indigenous people, subjected to communal and political violence and economic oppression in the name of development (like the construction of the Karakoram highway). 

The ongoing protests in the region are broad-based protests demanding solutions to the multitude of economic hardships the people face. This involves restoring subsidies of wheat prices and revoking various newly implemented taxes. The protest also demands greater economic autonomy and property rights by returning the land ownership rights to the people of the GB region. The protestors are reclaiming all leases granted to outsiders for the exploitation of minerals in the area and regaining the royalty of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam under net hydel profit.

They also demand better socio-economic provisions like a 24×7 electricity supply and strengthened educational and health facilities. Strikingly, GP is the largest electricity producer in Pakistan through its hydropower plants, yet the populace suffers from extended power cuts. Yet another surprising fact is that GB is the only region in Pakistan where people are not allowed to own their lands. The struggle of people in GB is essentially geo-economic. Its abundant resources have become a curse as the federal government and external powers are extracting them without any meaningful compensation to the GB’s people. 

Other than the rise in wheat prices, people are protesting the new Gilgit Baltistan Finance Act 2023, which introduced new taxes on the region’s tourism industry. The Awami Action Committee (AAC), which is leading the protests, demands financial resources through the National Finance Commission. This demand ties up to the larger assertion and demand for regional financial autonomy. The protest is also against the “Gilgit-Baltistan Revenue Authority Bill 2022,” which imposed new taxes on 135 items, impacting the poor in the region. The protestors call out that taxes are illegal as they are made to pay taxes without any representation in parliament or constitutional rights. The protestors are also demanding better health facilities. The leaders are protesting against the withdrawal of the subsidized health benefits card and asking for its reinstatement.

The region is not only economically threatened internally but also externally.  The presence of external powers in their territory has been a concern of the populace for a long time. The local population has often raised concern over China’s excessive presence, and has resisted mining projects of gems and precious metals by Chinese in the GB region. People have also raised their voices against Chinese oppression as the Chinese firms deny locals jobs and compensation, and they are destroying their property, farms, and environment. Pakistan has been called out by experts for practically handing over GB to Beijing.

 The region doesn’t get any share of the revenue generated by China through its operations, which is expected to amount to about half a billion dollars. Thus, GB protests are also a demand for regional autonomy and the rights of the locals on minerals and infrastructure of the region.

Given the situation, it is established that the GB conflict is not just an internal matter for Pakistan for many reasons. First, it is a geo-economic resource concern for the entire South Asia. The mistreatment and mishandling of the GB region by China threaten the security and sovereignty of South Asia given the excessive involvement of China in overseas territories. Second, as Pakistan is free-riding over the GB region by extracting all the region’s resources without any meaningful financial compensation, the demand for a merger with India is rising more than ever. Third, this is where Pakistan is stuck in a catch-22 situation of regional geopolitics. Pakistan wants to extract all the benefits from GB without giving any rights in return, whereas giving full statehood to the region would be beneficial to China but detrimental to Pakistan. Hence, GB is stuck in its ugly middle position with no economic and political autonomy. Apart from economic tensions, the region also faces socio-political tensions due to sectarian issues and the misuse of blasphemy laws by the federal government against the minorities in the region[9].

Over the last few weeks, the world has seen a mass mobilization of the people in the GB region, voicing for economic and social justice and sovereignty. GB leader Hussain Al-Husseini has urged people involved in various organizations and associations to participate in the sit-ins. The prolonged feeling of neglect and exploitation has rather provided new fuel to the separatist demands and merger with India. The people have objected to being treated as second-class citizens, which is reminiscent of the concerns faced by erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) five decades back. The turmoil in the region adds more fuel to the fire in which Pakistan’s economy is burning. As the protests continue to get stronger, Islamabad can no longer keep on curtailing the rights and curbing the voices of people in the region.  

China’s MSS counters ISI to take control of Gilgit Baltistan. Both Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan are currently the most unstable regions due to human rights violations by Pakistan and are witnessing protests which makes them an ideal location for the Left Wing whom China is harnessing. The Chinese objective is to use the left-organised movements in Gilgit Baltistan to prepare a pro-Communist environment to enable it to control the region as a proxy state. This is the new Gilgit Baltistan that the world is seeing. It looks like the Chinese are once again on a Long March, this time to take over Pakistan! … A special report by Dr Sakariya Kareem

Some reports from Gilgit Baltistan reveal that China is backing protests in the region against the Pakistan deep state. It may seem unlikely but a deeper dive into the narrative suggests that there is more to this than meets the eye.

Two things stand out. First, the protests today are anti-Pakistan, as opposed to being pro-freedom and second the protests are choking the supply of essential goods to Gilgit Baltistan. As of date, huge protests are witnessed in Gilgit, Yasin, Diamer, Baltistan, Nagar, & Kharmang where supplies are choked. The question is why China should stake its claim and back the protests in Gilgit Baltistan. After all, over the years, several reports had suggested that Pakistan had or was willing to lease the region to China so that it could extract the mineral resources of Gilgit Baltistan.

A closer look at the #NepalCorrespondence Twitter thread indicates that there is more to this story than meets the eye. It is worth first detailing, the process of change that has occurred like protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and how they shifted their tone. Initially, the protests began with the demand for a merger with India. Protests in January last year sought the reopening of the road to Kargil and a merger with India. The same message was reiterated in August when the Shia cleric Agha Baquir Al-Hassani was arrested. Massive protests broke out in the Gilgit-Baltistan region over the arrest of Al-Hassani under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

The protests were said to be the largest that the region has witnessed, with slogans of “Chalo, chalo Kargil chalo” rending the air. Local leaders warned the Pakistan government of a civil war and some even demanded a merger with India.

Around this time, the people of Gilgit Baltistan were hit by high electricity bills and a fuel price hike. On top of that prices of essential commodities like wheat went through the roof. The narrative of protests then shifted to unemployment and inflation. In September 2023, GB witnessed massive protests in Skardu, Rondu & Chilas & demanded to end Pakistan’s illegal occupation. Indian flags were also raised after Islamabad sent Punjabi  Sunni clerics to threaten the locals.

The Twitter handle #NepalCorrespondence claims that China’s plan to gain proxy control of Gilgit Baltistan is a counter to Pakistan’s ISI, which has long planned to take full advantage of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The map prepared by Gateway House (below) shows the massive investment of China in Gilgit Baltistan, and Pakistan as a whole. The US$ 46 billion CPEC was meant to be the game-changer for Pakistan, but the Pakistan Army has exploited China for its ends. It has tacitly allowed its homegrown terror groups to target the project while claiming to protect the projects.

According to #NepalCorrespondence, the other Pakistani ISI plan has been to use bride agents who get married to Chinese nationals. Pertinently, from 2015 to 2019, more than 600 Pakistani girls were sold as brides to Chinese, which was an ISI project to place their assets in the bedrooms of important Chinese targets. Once the Chinese MSS found out, it prepared a counter plan to safeguard its investments in Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan. One of the steps has been to pressurise the Pakistani government to allow private Chinese security agencies to be involved in guarding their assets along the CPEC.

In Gilgit Baltistan, the left groups have begun to serve the Chinese agenda. Two things make this point clear. First, the RWF took control of the street protests and made them more organised and focused on issues of governance, thus directly targeting the government in Islamabad. This created a sort of power vacuum and generated a discussion, “If not Pakistan then Who?” One of the biggest successes of the ‘Red Workers Front’ (RWF) came on 4 December 2021 when it organised a convention in the Bakhtiar Labour Hall, Lahore where hundreds of workers from the public & private sector, trade unions, students & peasants gathered from all parts of Pakistan. The sudden emergence of left groups is directly linked with organised protests & strong media attention. At least 17 people of ‘Red Workers Front’ are allegedly on China’s payroll claims #NepalCorrespondence. Original leaders of protest groups in Gilgit Baltistan are being quickly replaced with pro-Beijing ones.

An online article on Marxist.com informs that the mass movement against the payment of electricity bills in Kashmir has been reported on by RWF national Vice-President, Yasir Irshad. The International Marxist Tendency (IMT) and the RWF have been at the forefront and initiated this campaign and the formation of Awami Action Committees across the region. The movement has become so powerful that 5 million people are now refusing to pay electricity bills, and in October 2023, the provincial government was forced to sit down and negotiate after thousands of women came out in protest. This is of immense significance in an area where women are usually marginalised from the public sphere.

Both Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan are currently the most unstable regions due to human rights violations by Pakistan and are witnessing protests which makes them an ideal location for the Left Wing whom China is harnessing. In 2023, several reports claimed that the Punjabis of Pakistan had planned to give Gilgit Baltistan to China to clear its debts. The Chinese objective is to use the left-organised movements in Gilgit Baltistan to prepare a pro-Communist environment to enable it to control the region as a proxy state. This is the new Gilgit Baltistan that the world is seeing. It looks like the Chinese are once again on a Long March, this time to take over Pakistan!

The inaction by the commission and the Islamabad government now has forced women to take to the streets to seek justice. The protesting Baloch women have received support from embassies of the European Union and Norway in Islamabad, Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai and climate activist Greta Thunberg, besides global NGOs … writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

Women in Pakistan now have taken the lead in the fight against the increasing cases of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings. Hundreds of women from Balochistan walked close to 2,000 km through the harsh winter to protest in the capital city of Islamabad. Women from other parts of Pakistan too have been holding protests as the Islamabad government has continued to turn a blind eye to the crime against humanity.

The number of persons secretly abducted, imprisoned or killed by the state actors in Pakistan has reached 10,078 and most of these cases are reported from the distressed provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As per the latest official disclosure, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has recorded the most missing persons with 3,485 cases. Balochistan stands second with 2,752 cases. The cases of enforced disappearance in Balochistan alone are over 8,000, claimed the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP).

The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappeared (CIOED), which was constituted to investigate the cases of forced disappearances, has failed in its duty of finding the perpetrator and in providing relief to the victims. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) came down heavily on the commission for failing to hold “even a single perpetrator” responsible so far. Islamabad High Court said the CIOED became a “liability”. Chief Justice Athar Minallah (now retired) said “It has become obvious by now that it has not been able to effectively achieve its object. The commission is a burden on the exchequer and it ought to justify its continued existence.”

The inaction by the commission and the Islamabad government now has forced women to take to the streets to seek justice. The protesting Baloch women have received support from embassies of the European Union and Norway in Islamabad, Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai and climate activist Greta Thunberg, besides global NGOs. The Norwegian Embassy said “Norway is worried over the reported handling of demonstration in Islamabad by protesters expressing their concerns over alleged HR violations in Balochistan. Important to respect freedom of expression and right to peaceful protest,”.  

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has instructed the CIOED to identify individuals or organisations responsible for the enforced disappearance as the state agencies are perceived to be behind it. “When something has been established by video recording, an abduction taking place and presumably state agencies involved in the abduction, look the other way. No consequence. Then why govern?” slammed Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Islamabad government did not take any action, and it does not intend to do anything even women are holding protests. “Unfortunately, the Pakistani government’s response to the problem has been characterized by neglect, apathy, and even contempt,” said public policy researcher Samand Muhammad Shahi. Instead, the protesters are subjected to police beating, arrests, and deportation. Pakistan’s caretaker prime minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar even refused to acknowledge the problem of enforced disappearances.

Amnesty International said the Pakistan government used disinformation against the Baloch protesters as well as intimidated, and arrested them.  Carolyn Horn, Programme Director at Amnesty International, said Pakistan government should be “ashamed” of the harassment tactics. “The authorities have been heartlessly indifferent to the plight and demands of the peaceful protestors camped out in the severe cold for the past month,” she said.

The protesting Baloch women are receiving support from people living in different parts of Pakistan thanks to the government’s inaction and social media. “The protest movement is reaching new heights of popularity, which represents the pulse of society,” said Shahzada Zulfiqar, a senior political analyst. Baloch women are holding agitations knowing that the Islamabad government will hardly take any action. One such protester named Mahrang Baloch, who is a medical practitioner by profession, said “We have seen so much in the past years that we do not trust the state at all. Yet, here we are, to raise our voices, to register our protest and we want the authorities to return our missing.”

The central bank’s precarious situation, characterised by a record-high interest rate of 22%, demands careful consideration. With interest payments constituting over 90% of government spending, the challenges are manifold .. writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

Pakistan stands at a critical juncture, facing a profound economic crisis marked by escalating debt levels and the pervasive spectre of corruption. This comprehensive analysis delves into the intricate web of challenges that jeopardise the nation’s financial stability, shedding light on the mounting debt burden and the corrosive impact of widespread corruption.

The economic landscape of Pakistan is shrouded in crisis, with the projected debt load reaching an alarming 86.2% of GDP by June 2023. This trajectory poses a severe threat to the country’s economic stability, manifesting in the energy sector’s circular debt that has surged to Rs5.73 trillion. This staggering figure not only points to the shortcomings in policymaking and management but also serves as a stark reminder of the hurdles impeding significant economic progress. Concurrently, efforts to stabilise the currency in the face of ongoing forex shortages are hampered by the continuous devaluation of the rupee.

Beyond the sheer magnitude of the debt crisis, the per capita debt in Pakistan underscores a systemic issue. The country’s persistent reliance on loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 1958 has led to a per capita debt crisis that jeopardises economic stability. This perpetual reliance on external financial support restrains credit availability for industries, thereby hindering development, investment, and job creation. The strain on financial resources from loan interest payments further exacerbates the challenges faced by vital sectors like healthcare and education. To navigate this perilous cycle, sweeping reforms are imperative, with a focus on enhancing revenue collection mechanisms and promoting sustainable economic practices.

In the energy sector, the cyclical debt reaching Rs 5.73 trillion is indicative of the inadequacies in debt management strategies. The perpetuation of inadequate policies and a reliance on loans, particularly from the IMF, contribute to an escalating per capita debt and impede the nation’s economic progress. Allegations of corruption and mismanagement within public sector enterprises, especially in the power sector, add fuel to the fire, exacerbating financial difficulties and obstructing foreign investments crucial for economic growth.

The central bank’s precarious situation, characterised by a record-high interest rate of 22%, demands careful consideration. With interest payments constituting over 90% of government spending, the challenges are manifold. While anticipated interest rate reductions could stimulate investment, they also pose the risk of escalating inflation. The stringent constraints imposed by IMF regulations on lowering the government’s debt-to-income ratio further prolong spending restrictions on vital sectors such as health and education, exacerbating the economic conundrum.

The global COVID-19 epidemic has amplified the preexisting debt crisis, necessitating international intervention. Despite historical foundations such as the Bretton Woods institutions, challenges persist in executing international programs and obtaining bilateral funding. China’s role as a significant creditor assumes paramount importance, and the G20’s Common Framework faces obstacles due to China’s insistence on IMF and World Bank losses.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), once considered revolutionary, now confronts the looming threat of debt default of close to 69 billion USD, marking a shift from its initial promise of transformative economic benefits for Pakistan. Challenges such as diminishing foreign exchange reserves and a notable inflation rate underscore unfulfilled expectations. China’s reluctance to provide relief raises questions about the project’s viability, exacerbated by fundamental flaws in prioritising infrastructure development over human capital investment.

China’s recent decision to lend $700 million to Pakistan adds complexity to the growing debt crisis, reflecting China’s concerns about Pakistan’s escalating debt burden. This financial injection aims to supplement the existing $30 billion owed to China and unlock crucial bailout funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the IMF’s conditions, which include tax hikes and securing additional external funding, reveal the intricate interplay between international financial institutions and the economic dependencies of countries like Pakistan.

The intricacies of this situation highlight the delicate balance between meeting short-term financial obligations and implementing long-term reforms to ensure economic sustainability. The implications of China’s loans, coupled with conditions imposed by global financial bodies, underscore the multifaceted challenges Pakistan faces in navigating its economic landscape. The evolving dynamics of CPEC and its financial intricacies necessitate a nuanced approach to address not only immediate debt concerns but also to forge a path towards a more sustainable economic future for Pakistan.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to refuse financial aid and interest-free loans has left Pakistan in shock, prompting complaints from the finance minister about the lack of support, even from traditionally friendly nations. Pakistan faces a severe economic crisis with dwindling foreign exchange reserves, high inflation, and urgent repayment obligations of nearly $80 billion over the next three and a half years. Negotiations with the IMF for a bailout package have reached a critical stage, and the country’s credit rating has been downgraded to junk, making it challenging to secure international loans. Saudi Arabia is reportedly conditioning future loans on Pakistan, implementing stringent reforms, mirroring IMF requirements. This marks a shift in Saudi Arabia’s approach towards financial assistance and aligns with their emphasis on accountability and reforms at the World Economic Forum.

The Pakistani government’s delay in implementing essential policies and a trust deficit with the IMF contributes to the economic challenges. High inflation, currency devaluation, and import restrictions have added to Pakistan’s woes. The Saudi reluctance to provide emergency funding signifies a move towards an investment model contingent on Pakistan’s commitment to comprehensive economic reforms. The delay in implementing IMF reforms is attributed to deep-set corruption, eroding trust in Pakistani leadership both domestically and abroad. Pakistan’s unfavourable ranking on corruption indices poses a challenge to attracting foreign investment. Saudi interest in investing in Pakistan’s energy and IT sectors hinges on the country’s willingness to undertake economic reforms. This marks a turning point, signalling the end of an era of easy financial assistance for Pakistan.

As Pakistan navigates this precarious economic trajectory, a profound political and economic crisis unfolds. Drawing parallels with recent challenges faced by other nations, internal disputes, regional instability, and global uncertainties threaten the very survival of the country. The emphasis placed by Pakistan’s Army Chief on the military’s significant influence in both politics and the economy underscores the gravity of the situation. Immediate assistance from the IMF is called for in response to the economic upheaval, highlighting the urgency of both domestic reforms and external support to stabilise the country’s economy.

In conclusion, Pakistan’s economic stability is hanging in the balance, imperilled by the mounting debt and corruption that permeates its economic fabric. The country grapples with a myriad of challenges, from spiralling debt and inflationary pressures to widespread corruption and mounting debt loads. Navigating this complex terrain necessitates comprehensive and urgent reforms, addressing underlying issues and clearing the path for a more robust and transparent economic future. Pakistan must re-evaluate its approach to managing foreign dependence, implement sustainable financial practices, and strike a delicate balance between economic opportunities to emerge from the current economic crisis. The nation stands at a crucial juncture in its history, demanding swift action to ensure economic prosperity and pave the way for sustainable growth.

Protesters, many of whom rely on fishing for income, demanded an end to illegal trawling that depletes their catches. They also sought relaxed border trade with Iran, fewer security checkpoints, and improved access to necessities like clean water, healthcare, and electricity … writes Jalis Akhtar Nasiri

A video clip circulating online from Gwadar, Pakistan, depicts a young boy in red throwing a stone at security forces, who retaliated by hurling stones back. Another disturbing video captures security personnel passively watching as someone, said to be a fisherman’s child, is beaten and dragged on the ground. These incidents follow the lifting of an internet blackout in Gwadar, where protests demanding better living conditions and rights for locals had been going on for over 50 days. The Haq Do Tehreek movement, led by Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, had blocked key access points like the Gwadar East Bay Expressway, highlighting deep discontent with the lack of benefits reaching Gwadar despite its status as a central hub in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Protesters, many of whom rely on fishing for income, demanded an end to illegal trawling that depletes their catches. They also sought relaxed border trade with Iran, fewer security checkpoints, and improved access to necessities like clean water, healthcare, and electricity.

Peaceful protests against the CPEC project in Gwadar spiralled into tragedy on December 27^th, as violence erupted at the protest site, leading to the death of a police officer. This incident ignited a stringent government response, with authorities cracking down on the demonstrations, and arresting a large number of protestors. Internet access was suspended, and strict restrictions were implemented under Section 144, effectively putting the region under lockdown. Over 260,000 residents are confined to their homes while protesting for their rights, which they believe are being undermined by the CPEC’s construction.

They continue to face backlash for expressing their opposition to the CPEC development plan. They feel the plan disregards their local concerns and needs, and that they are being restricted in their homeland. This isn’t the first time the people of Balochistan have voiced their disapproval of the project, which stretches from Gwadar Port to Xinjiang Province in China. They argue that the development policies favour outsiders and fail to address their core issues. Essentially, they feel left out of a project that is happening in their backyard.

Gwadar, a remote and forgotten corner of Pakistan till about a decade ago, gained significance when China decided to develop the Gwadar Port as part of the ambitious CPEC project. While this brought hopes of economic prosperity, the local population’s concerns were sidelined. Their traditional fishing livelihoods were threatened by illegal trawling, and despite assurances, basic issues like lack of jobs, water, and electricity remain unaddressed.

Gwadar, not too long ago just another sleepy fishing town in Pakistan, has undergone rapid development in recent decades. However, this boom has bypassed many locals, leaving them feeling excluded and resentful. Residents complain of constant surveillance, restricted fishing rights, and a lack of basic amenities like healthcare and clean water.

Adding insult to injury, illegal trawling by foreign and domestic vessels depletes fish stocks, further squeezing the livelihoods of local fishermen. Even licensed Chinese trawlers, equipped with superior technology, outcompete their smaller Pakistani counterparts.

This simmering discontent has boiled over in the past two years, erupting into widespread protests. Locals feel unheard and unseen by the government, which touts Gwadar’s development while ignoring the plight of its citizens. They demand a fairer share of the benefits and a say in shaping the future of their city. While hundreds of locals are currently employed in the Gwadar port and free zone projects, concerns linger about their long-term well-being. China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) Pakistan Chairperson Zhang Baozhong highlighted the immediate employment numbers, but critics warn of potential large-scale disempowerment. They fear that local communities will be marginalized in their land, becoming mere subjects of development rather than active participants.

This concern is amplified by the ongoing Baloch insurgency, which views state-backed projects with suspicion. Past attacks on Chinese personnel and the recent deaths of Baloch children caught in the crossfire raise further security concerns and underscore the need for a more inclusive and sensitive approach to development in the region.

In response to recent attacks on government symbols, security forces, infrastructure projects, and foreign workers in Gwadar, Pakistani authorities have ramped up security measures in the region. This includes plans for a controversial fence separating Gwadar from the rest of Balochistan, initially proposed by former chief minister Jam Kamal Khan. This proposal, seen as both an attempt to isolate the area and an admission of struggles to control the wider situation in Balochistan, further fueled local tensions. Additionally, numerous checkpoints monitoring the movement of Gwadar residents have been established. These measures, implemented under the guise of development projects, have sparked protests from the local population who feel subjected to excessive surveillance and control.

The Balochistan government seems determined to dismiss the Gwadar protests as merely destructive and “anti-development” rather than engaging with the underlying issues. Home Minister Langau’s accusation of property damage further serves this narrative. This approach reflects a broader unwillingness by the Pakistani state to acknowledge its own problematic policies and engage in genuine dialogue with its citizens. By imposing restrictions like Section 144, the government conveniently shifts the blame to the protestors, painting them as the problem instead of addressing the root causes of their discontent.

Gwadar, a city at the heart of the much-touted CPEC project, presents a stark contrast to the Pakistani government’s rosy picture of development. While leaders like Imran Khan and Shehbaz Sharif have hailed CPEC as a “game changer” for the nation, boasting its potential to uplift people from poverty, the reality on the ground narrates a different story. Gwadar residents remain deeply marginalized, excluded from decision-making processes and experiencing little to no improvement in their lives. The grand claims of development ring hollow as locals grapple with issues like water scarcity, lack of basic amenities, and unemployment. Instead of empowering them, the state’s dependence on foreign projects fuels feelings of alienation and disenchantment, leaving the people questioning the true beneficiaries of this so-called development. This crisis in Gwadar exposes the hollowness of grand narratives and underscores the urgent need for inclusive development that prioritizes the well-being of local communities.

The Haq Do Tehreek (HDT), or “Give Rights (to Gwadar)” Movement, emerged under the leadership of Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman as a critical response to government development policies. In 2022, the HDT issued a warning to the authorities, stating that the local population’s concerns needed to be addressed, or they would resort to blocking the area. However, the government dismissed these warnings. Instead, in a show of force, they deployed a staggering 5,500 additional police personnel to Gwadar on December 1st, 2022, supposedly to “maintain law and order.” This heavy-handed tactic further strained the relationship between the government and the people of Gwadar, laying the groundwork for future tensions.

Initially peaceful sit-in protests took a tragic turn on December 27th when violence erupted, resulting in the death of a police officer at the protest site. This incident triggered a harsh government crackdown. Numerous protestors were arrested, internet access was shut down, and restrictive measures under Section 144 were imposed. The situation remains tense, with neither side willing to compromise. While the state holds the power to dismiss the demands of the local population, the protestors have everything to lose, including their livelihoods, prospects, and even their sense of belonging to their land. This volatile standoff creates a deeply concerning situation with an uncertain outcome.

In essence, the turmoil in Gwadar reflects deep-rooted discontent amidst economic aspirations. The protests against the CPEC expose a disjunction between national development rhetoric and the harsh realities faced by locals. The government’s response, marked by arrests and restrictions, risks widening the gap between state and citizens. The crisis underscores the imperative for an inclusive development approach that prioritizes local well-being over external interests. Security concerns, highlighted by the Baloch insurgency, warrant a nuanced resolution. Bridging the gap between state and citizen requires acknowledging grievances, fostering genuine dialogue and prioritizing community well-being for sustainable progress in the region.

(Dr. Jalis Akhtar Nasiri is a distinguished scholar and journalist who contributes articles on significant humanitarian issues)