Normal life in Gwadar remains severely disrupted as members and supporters of the All Parties Alliance continued their sit-in at Marine Drive for the eighth consecutive day on Monday.
The protesters are demanding the reopening of the border with Iran for trade in oil and other commodities, which has been closed for months.
Protest leaders highlighted that border trade is the primary source of livelihood for many residents, who have been left jobless due to prolonged restrictions imposed by Pakistani authorities.
“The introduction of the token system at the Kantani Hor border is a major barrier to trade,” said one protest leader. “This system has only worsened unemployment and created additional hardships for the people of Gwadar.”
The demonstrators are demanding the immediate abolition of the token system and the resumption of unrestricted trade along the border with Iran.
The protesters also accused the Pakistan Coast Guard of blocking oil trade vehicles owned by local residents at the Talaar checkpoint. They claimed that these vehicles have been stranded on highways for weeks, further worsening the economic and social conditions in the region.
“Families are being pushed into extreme hardship due to these unnecessary restrictions,” a protester leader said.
In addition to the reopening of the border and removal of the token system, the protesters are demanding solutions to Gwadar’s chronic issues, including electricity shortages and the lack of clean drinking water.
The protesters have vowed to continue their sit-in until all their demands are met.