QUETTA: A member of the National Assembly from Gwadar-Lasbela, Moham­mad Aslam Bhootani, has exp­ressed reservation over the decision for fencing of Gwadar in the name of security, pointing out that the move will create doubts in the minds of locals.

Mr Bhootani said that as an elected parliamentarian from Gwadar, he would take up the issue concerning the people of the port city with the top political and military leadership.

He expressed these view while talking to journalists at his residence on Monday.

The lawmaker said the people of his constituency had serious concern over the government decision to erect fence around the port city. “It is a need of the hour to make Gwadar a business-friendly port city for purpose of investment and economic progress instead of converting it into a security zone,” Mr Bhootani said.

He was of the opinion that the fencing of Gwadar would add to the sense of fear among business community who would hesitate to come forward for investment.

The fencing would divide Gwadar into two parts, he said, adding that the hopes and dreams of locals regarding their prosperity through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be shattered.

“The people of Gwa­dar will consider themsel­ves alienated from the game-changing mega project,” he said and expressed the hope that the authorities concer­ned would review the decision in the larger interest of the people of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2020