Gwadar: Urgent Protests Against Catastrophic Exploitation

In recent months, the coastal city of Gwadar, located in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, has become the epicenter of a significant movement challenging the central government’s policies. What started as a series of small protests has burgeoned into a large-scale movement, capturing national and international attention. These protests in Gwadar are not merely a local issue; they are symptomatic of broader grievances that have long festered among the Baloch people. This article delves into the causes of the protests, the demands of the protesters, the historical context of Balochistan’s struggle, and the potential implications for Pakistan and the region.

The Spark of Discontent: Causes of the Protests

The protests in Gwadar, though seemingly sudden in their intensity, are the result of long-standing discontent among the local population. At the heart of the issue is the perceived marginalization of the Baloch people and their exclusion from the benefits of development projects in the region, particularly those associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Gwadar, with its strategic port, is a cornerstone of CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar initiative aimed at connecting China’s western provinces to the Arabian Sea. However, for the people of Gwadar, this development has come at a significant cost.

The local fishermen, who have relied on the Arabian Sea for their livelihoods for generations, are among the most affected. The expansion of the Gwadar port and the presence of Chinese trawlers in the waters have severely restricted their access to traditional fishing grounds, threatening their economic survival. Despite promises situstoto of jobs and development, many locals feel they have been sidelined, with much of the economic benefit flowing to outsiders.

Furthermore, the protests have been fueled by the heavy-handed tactics employed by the Pakistani state to suppress dissent in Balochistan. The province has a long history of resistance against the central government, with grievances centered on issues of autonomy, resource control, and human rights abuses. The militarization of Balochistan, coupled with enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, has only deepened the sense of alienation among the Baloch people.

The Demands of the Protesters

Protesters in Gwadar want their autonomy, rights and recognition The immediate demands are straightforward: security checkpoints that have made life so difficult for residents must disappear; the trawlers of Chinese fishermen who illegally fish in Sri Lankan waters need to stop and provide electricity, clean drinking water and basic amenities. Gwadar has been neglected for years, the exploitation of its people is non-stop and this protest also represents a set a demands which are long overdue.

While these are perhaps the immediate reasons, but also an expression of need for political and economic control within Balochistan. Baloch residents have complained for years about a lack of electricity, food and clean water because they say the resources generated in their province go to Pakistan’s Punjabi elite. The Baloch people also want more of the wealth from natural gas reserves — estimated at around twenty trillion cubic feet (566 billion cubic meters) according to Oil & Gas Journal — coal mines west of Quetta as well minerals such as chromite deposits that stretch across much of the region. The central government’s grip on these sources and the crumbs that fell to the local people have long been a cause of friction.

The protests also reflect the outcry against the militarization of Balochistan. The military and paramilitary forces living in Balochistan’s presence has always been a very contentious problem. Many residents of the province have considered them as occupation rather than protectors. High level of security forces supported with regular army operations have created a sense of fright and repression in the populace distancing them further from Pakistan.

Historical Context: Balochistan’s Struggle for Autonomy

The Gwadar protest thus needs to be examined in the larger historical context of Balochistan’s 70-year struggle for sovereignty, and self-respect. The largest and the least populated Balochistan province (Pakistan) is a separate cultural-ethnic whole. Baloch people have a long history of being in opposition to external control, when the territories were divided first between British India and Persia (now Iran).

In 1947 Baloch nationalist suporters immediatly rose against the newly created state of Pakistan, and since then constantly resisted their forcible inegration into this new state after it gained independence. That resistance has broken out in different armed uprisings throughout the years, with one of its latest outbreaks starting back in the 2000s. Long-standing Baloch grievances over political marginalization, economic exploitation and human rights abuses have fueled an insurgency that began in 2003. Pakistani state is militarized, which merely aggravated the situation by sowing seeds of discontent among locals.

The CPEC project introduced a new aspect to the conflict by leading to Gwadar’s development as deep-sea port. The port is considered to be an economic game-changer by Pakistan and China, but many Baloch see it as a new form of suppression. This has only bolstered accusations that Balochistan’s resources are being looted by the Chinese and Pakistanis to the detriment of local population.

The Role of CPEC: Development or Exploitation?

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is considered as a watershed for Pakistan economy and can turn the country into trade and economic hub of region. Gwadar Port, which is the southern tip of Corridor and gives China a shorter pathway to avoid Malacca Strait for its connections with Arabian Sea. Though many BRI projects can be counted as part of CPEC, the province is yet to see any benefit and this has been a major plan which has not seen success in Balochistan.

The people of Gwadar however, are a different story; CPEC has brought them more suffering than joy. Large numbers of Chinese workers and companies working have arrived in the African country, creating tension between them and a displaced local community. As a result, there is-almost inevitably –mounting dissent among local residents who now see CPEC as simply the latest extension of what they regard as a long history of resource theft in Balochistan by outside powers.

In the case of fishing communities in Gwadar, CPEC projects have had devastating environmental implications. The expansion of port facilities and large vessels have disturbed the nature in ways that has resulted to depletion one fish species after another. That crisis has been worsened by the use of giant Chinese trawlers, which routinely fish illegally in West African waters and prevent local fishermen from earning a living.

The Government’s Response: Repression or Reform?

The Pakistani government has sought to quell the protests in Gwadar with a combination of repression and reform proposals. Security forces deployed by the state on one hand for scattering protesters while exercise clashes and arresting them. Human rights groups have condemned the iron fist, accusing authorities of heavy-handedness against unarmed demonstrators.

At the same time, however, we have witnessed some movements by the government to respond to some of what they are asking for. Following protests against widespread illegal fishing, the authorities have pledged to manage fisheries in Gwadar and prevent occupation of local fisherfolks. There have also been promises to transform living conditions in the area, with improved access to basic utilities like water and electricity.

The problem is, these are not the kind of promises that inspire optimism from the local population; they have heard them all before. The demonstrators in Gwadar are not demanding only emergency aid; they want a change to the basic mechanics of government which rule Baluchistan. The new deal has given it more political and fiscal autonomy, natural resource management rights, but most importantly what is being asked for right now far and beyond everything else… an end to the heavy militarization of the province.

The Regional Implications: A Growing Movement for Rights

The protests in Gwadar are not an isolated event; they are part of a broader movement for rights and autonomy in Balochistan. The growing discontent in the province has implications for Pakistan’s stability and its relations with neighboring countries. Balochistan shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, and the unrest in the province has often spilled over into these neighboring states.

The Iranian government, which faces its own challenges with Baloch separatism in its Sistan and Baluchestan province, has been closely monitoring the situation in Balochistan. There have been reports of cross-border cooperation between Baloch insurgents in Pakistan and Iran, further complicating the security situation in the region. Similarly, the instability in Balochistan has implications for Afghanistan, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the country.

The international community, particularly China, is also closely watching the situation in Gwadar. For China, CPEC is a crucial component of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and any disruption to the project could have significant economic and strategic consequences. Beijing has invested heavily in Gwadar, and the growing unrest in the region could undermine its plans for the port and the broader corridor.

The Future of the Protests: A Turning Point for Balochistan?

The protests in Gwadar have brought international attention to the plight of the Baloch people and their struggle for rights and autonomy. While the Pakistani government has managed to contain the unrest for now, the underlying issues remain unresolved. The protests have highlighted the deep-seated grievances in Balochistan, which stem from decades of political marginalization, economic exploitation, and human rights abuses.

The future of the protests in Gwadar will depend on how the Pakistani state responds to the demands of the local population. If the government continues to rely on repression and fails to address the root causes of the discontent, the protests are likely to escalate, potentially leading to a broader movement for Balochistan’s autonomy or even independence.

On the other hand, if the government takes meaningful steps to address the grievances of the Baloch people, there is a chance for reconciliation. This would require not only addressing the immediate demands of the protesters but also implementing long-term reforms that grant Balochistan greater political and economic autonomy.

Conclusion: Gwadar at the Crossroads

The massive protests in Gwadar mark a critical juncture in the ongoing struggle for rights, autonomy, and recognition in Balochistan. What began as a localized outcry over economic marginalization and environmental degradation has evolved into a powerful movement that challenges the very foundations of Pakistan’s governance in the province. The protesters’ demands are not merely about immediate relief but represent a broader call for justice, dignity, and self-determination.

Gwadar, with its strategic significance and economic potential, stands at the crossroads of competing interests: the aspirations of the Baloch people, the ambitions of the Pakistani state, and the geopolitical stakes of regional and global powers. How these protests are addressed will shape the future of Gwadar and Balochistan, as well as the broader dynamics of the region. If you like reading this article then please consider reading our article about Biden.

About The Author

Fitriani Dewi