Two local laborers in the coastal city of Gwadar’s Kantani Hur area were reportedly hospitalized with severe injuries after being beaten by personnel from the Pakistani Coast Guards on Thursday. The victims, identified as Jehanzeb and Bebagr, were kayaking when they encountered the Coast Guard personnel.
This incident is the third act of violence this year involving Coast Guard personnel and local laborers. In February, a similar incident led to a laborer’s death, sparking protests organized by the Haq Do Tehreek in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Molana Hidayat ur Rehman, the newly elected Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Gwadar, expressed strong opposition to the mistreatment of local laborers and criticized administrative decisions affecting their livelihoods. Rehman specifically condemned the closure of Kuntani, describing it as an economic blow to thousands of families. “We stand with laborers as well as businessmen and will not accept decisions made without their consent,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of involving elected officials in the decision-making process to prevent exacerbating tensions and undermining public trust. “The public elected us to solve their problems. If decisions are made bypassing us, we will also use the power of the public,” Rehman added.