Gwadar Politician Threatens Sit-in Over Military Interference

Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, leader of Haq Do Tehreek, threatens a sit-in on Gwadar's coastal highway starting September 5 if military interference in local government doesn't cease. He accuses army officers of meddling in various sectors including education and vows to fight for local rights and autonomy.

Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, a Member of the Provincial Assembly from Gwadar and the leader of the Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) movement, has announced plans to start a sit-in on the coastal highway from September 5. Rehman denounced the alleged involvement of military officers in local government affairs, as reported by Dawn News on Sunday.

During a press conference in Quetta, Rehman alleged that military personnel were managing operations in key government departments in his constituency, including education, health, and public health engineering. He claimed officers of colonel and brigadier ranks were particularly influencing appointments in the education sector, seizing control over critical posts like that of headmistress in Surbandar's girls' school.

The HDT leader criticized the current security expenditure of PKR 180 billion, saying it has failed to ensure the safety of citizens. Rehman contended that the armed forces' interference in politics and administration exacerbates the region's problems. Other political parties are expected to rally behind his movement, which aims to end military meddling, restore electricity, tackle the trawler mafia, and address unemployment.

Rehman voiced serious concerns about the trawler mafia, accusing it of monopolizing 70% of Gwadar's waters and taking fish worth PKR 200-250 billion illegally. The mafia's activities, he said, have devastated local fishermen and damaged the marine ecosystem. Despite repeated appeals to the government, Rehman noted, the issue remains unaddressed.

(With inputs from agencies.)