Sirajul Haq asks govt to fulfill demands of participants of ‘Gwadar sit-in’

GWADAR, Dec 06 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Sirajul Haq has asked the government to fulfill demands of the participants of “Gwadar sit-in” and stop step-motherly treatment with the people protesting for their rights for over a month.

“Local fishermen demand ban on illegal haunting of fish in sea, they want the government lift ban on border trade and removal of unnecessary check posts in the area. What was wrong and illegal in their demands?” questioned Sirajul Haq while addressing the sit-in on Monday.

He reached the port-city to express solidarity with the “Give Gwadar its rights movement” led by JI Balochistan chapter secretary general Maulana Hidaytur Rahman.

The movement demands include end to illegal trawlers for fish haunting, freedom for fishermen to go to sea, elimination of special token system to go to sea. elimination of unnecessary check posts on major roads, closure of wine shops in Gwadar, elimination of interference in cross-border trade with Iran, end to all kinds of interference and establishment of trade markets at border, establishment of a university in Gwadar, appointments on empty seats of education department’s non-teaching staff and others.

Sirajul Haq said the Gwadar rights movement would not end under any pressure. He said the government had to talk to the Baloch people as their deprivations were not addressed by perpetual governments. The issue of missing persons, he said, was yet to be resolved. The prime minister failed to fulfill its commitment about the long-lingering problem, he added. He said Balochistan’s resources should be spent on the locals.

The JI chief clarified that Gwadar movement was not anti-CPEC. “A fool could only oppose the corridor, no one is against the development. The delay in CPEC is due to the incapability of the PTI government.”

He said the rulers failed to address the problems of the people. The country needed Islamic system as it was the only way to put the state on track, he added.

He earlier received warmly by the local leadership of JI on reaching the airport. He participated in the sit-in and appreciated the struggle of Mualana Hidayatur Rahman for the rights of the people.