According to a story in Asian Lite, the Pakistani government continues to be uninformed about the problems that the country’s citizens are protesting about in large numbers.
Asian Lite reports that massive crowds of people are protesting all over Pakistan, from Gilgit-Baltistan in the north to the port city of Gwadar in the south. The article outlined each protest that the country has experienced. Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) is experiencing protests over land acquisition by the Pakistani regime for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC).
Additionally, the Asian Lite story cited an article from the Pamir Times written by Engineer Abid Tashi on the state’s residents who had experienced power outages for the past three to four decades. In spite of talks between tribal elders and the administration, there are sit-in protests in Waziristan in the South. After the talks fell through, the protests that lasted until January 10 compelled the government to act against terrorists.
According to the Asian Lite report, over 8000 establishments were shuttered and transportation was stopped as a result of the protest. The Asian Lite reported quoting the Maritime Executive report that protests in Gwadar port city were organized by Maulana Hidayatur Rahman, the leader of the Gwadar Rights Movement, and requested that Chinese ships leave the port region. Additionally, the protesters have warned that they will turn to violence if the regime continues to ignore these regular peace demonstrations.
Local issues of fishermen are being brought to light by the Gwadar port protest led by Rehman. Everything from the rights of fishermen to the distribution of resources to enough power and clean water for everyone. The demonstration has been joined by entire families. Additionally, these demonstrators demand that the government loosen its limitations on unofficial trade with Iran. The Asian Lite report further asserts that while there is no direct connection between these requests and Chinese developments in Gwadar, experts contend that many residents think the CPEC is a contributing factor to the issue.
Additionally, there have been threats against Chinese nationals working for the CPEC all around Pakistan from different terrorist organizations. According to the same Asian Lite story, as a result, China has been asking Pakistan’s government for guarantees about the security of its citizens. The Asian Lite newspaper referenced a Maritime Executive report that stated that despite the present administration’s hopes to revive the CPEC once more, local resistance has slowed down the project’s progress since it was first started in China in 2015.
The journal stated that Shehbaz Sharif, the current prime minister, is occupied with using force to manage things that get out of control while also battling with Khan and the economic crisis. He has little to no time to address these long-ignored issues of the people.
