GWADAR/QUETTA: Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, the leader of the Gwadar Ko Haq Do movement, on Thursday called off 31-day long sit-in after successful negotiations with a team of representatives of the federal and the provincial governments.
The Maulana while announcing the end to sit-in of the people of Gwadar, told the participants of the protest: “Our all demands have been accepted and official notifications have been issued in this regard. An agreement has been signed with the government about our demands.”
However, he warned that if the government failed to implement the agreement, a “million march” would be staged in Quetta.
The Maulana made the announcement in the presence of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, federal ministers Asad Umar and Zubaida Jalal, Adviser to the Prime Minister on CPEC Khalid Mansoor, provincial ministers Mir Zahoor Ahmed Buledi and Syed Ehsan Shah and Chief Secretary Mather Niaz Rana, who were part of the government’s negotiations team.
Several thousand protesters, including fishermen, women and students, were present on the occasion.
The two sides have signed an 11-point agreement, which includes:
Trawlers mafia: The assistant director fisheries (Pasni/Ormara/Lasbela) has been transferred. Fishermen will be involved in monitoring of trawling. The suggestion to increase 12 nautical miles’ limit of Balochistan’s waters to 30 nautical miles will be forwarded to relevant forums. Fishermen will be allowed to go into the sea without any permission.
Border affairs: Border trade will be restored and its monitoring will be handed back to district administration from Frontier Corps
Unnecessary check posts: A joint committee will be formed for abolishing unnecessary check-posts in Gwadar, Kech and Panjgur districts, which will conduct a survey and provide suggestions for removal of check-posts. People’s movement won’t be banned unnecessarily during VIP movement.
The chief minister will announce a specific package for the fishermen of Gwadar.
After resurvey of the people affected by the expressway, compensation will be paid to them.
All cases against “Gwadar Ko Haq Do” movement will be withdrawn and the name of its leader will be removed from the 4th Schedule.
Measures will be taken to pay compensation to the fishermen affected by cyclones.
The federal and provincial departments will ensure implementation of job quota for disabled persons.
Privacy of locals in Makran division will be respected.
No action will be taken against any member of the movement.
The provincial government will provide support in handing back boats and vehicles to fishermen by Coast Guard and Customs.
Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2021
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