The ‘Haq Do’ movement has blocked the key highways and main roads in the coastal city of Gwadar as the protest entered its 58th day. The roads leading to the Pearl Continental Hotel, the Chinese camp and Gwadar port have been blocked. Work on various CPEC projects has been halted.
According to reports, the protest organized by the Haq Do movement has entered its 58th day. Scores of protestors have gathered on the Gwadar Expressway and blocked major roads leading into the city. The protestors have warned that they would continue to protest until their demands are not met.
Addressing the gathering, Haq Do movement leader Hussain Wadhela said that Balochistan has been burning since it acceded to Pakistan. He said that dead bodies are thrown in the wilderness, the educated youth is “forcibly disappeared”, families are torn apart, and the resources of Balochistan are plundered. He said our movement is peaceful and democratic, and it is our right that the people in power listen to us and fulfil our demands.
Wadhela said that Baloch missing persons are framed as militants and killed in “fake encounters.” The coastal waters of Balochistan are being robbed of their aquatic life, . and the fishermen are losing their only source of income. He said that it is our collective responsibility that we raise our voices against this “oppression” and hold the culprits accountable.
Wadhela recalled the example of Hayat Baloch, a student who was “mistakenly” killed by the Frontier Corps in Turbat in 2020. Wadhela said that Hayat Baloch was brutally murdered in front of his parents in broad daylight, but our so-called leaders never raised a voice against it.
Wadhela said that in this “environment of oppression”, the Haq Do movement has become united front for the Baloch nation. He said we united the people of Gwadar, and we are extending our reach into Makran and other areas of Balochistan as well. This movement will soon morph into a tsunami of people that would drown the forces of “oppression”, he said.
It is pertinent to mention that the Haq Do movement, led by Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman, has set up a protest camp at the Gwadar Expressway for the past six weeks. Scores of civilians, social activists and fishermen participated in the protest.
Women are also present at the protest in large numbers. They are being led by Masi Zini, a resident of Gwadar who gained recognition during the previous protests of the Haq Do movement.