Painting a  utopian picture of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC),  fanatical fans of the mega-project ignore, sideline and deliberately suppress the plight of the locals people away from the prying eyes of the national as well as the international community. For the past decade, we have been hearing that the CPEC holds the potential of changing the economic fate of Balochistan in general and Pakistan in particular. In fact, it has done the exact opposite of fueling resentment and anger of the true 'owners' of the project - the poor people of Balochistan.

Gwadar is the heart of the CPEC where the warm seaport is situated. Despite improving the economic, social and educational well-being of the locals as the project promised, it is snatching their existing sources of bread and butter, and making the lives of locals miserable. Additionally, as the mega project got a large profile in the mainstream national media, the security concerns increased with erecting of check posts that are destined to restrict the movement of the locals rather than ensuring the security of the project. 

And, the burgeoning presence of the “trawler mafia” kept the local poor fishermen bereft of their source of income, which had been there for centuries. As a result, the feeling of anguish has got to a new and dangerous level of polarization and alienation in the region.

'Give us our rights'

CPEC continues to bring huge disruption in the lives of the locals who were living a quiet and peaceful life before the launch of the project. It is clearly visible in the anguish and resentment of the people of Gwadar who have been on a sit-in for the past two weeks. Though in past one saw various degrees of protests in the city demanding basic facilities to the people, this time the “Haqq do" (Give us our rights) movement under Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman has attracted a larger number of people, including Baloch women who are playing an important role in this movement. 

Speaking to a local news channel, Maulana Rehman said: "Our sit-in is not for mere water, electricity or health facilities; we staged this to get rid of those elements that are snatching the rights of movement and fishing in the name of the CPEC project". 

He went on to demand that unnecessary security checkpoints that are confining the movement of the people, restricting their freedom of movement, and assaulting their dignity be removed.  He reiterated that they were not demanding any extra facilities from the government, only restoration of freedom in business and daily lives.

Cold response of government

Expectedly, the provisional government of Balochistan has replied with a cold response, as it usually does. Apparently, the provisional government has little say in the matter and its views are superseded by those sitting elsewhere. It also seems from the remarks of the provisional ministers that they themselves are helpless and have no power to negotiate with the “Haq Do” movement. This cold and helpless approach of the provisional government has taken the local resentment to new heights.

The success of the CPEC project, which is dubbed as a “game-changer” for the region, will be in question if the concerns of the people of Gwadar are not dealt with practically by the Pakistani establishment. Turning an indifferent face towards the miseries of the people of Gwadar would only worsen the ongoing tense situations. 

Last, but not least, the happiness and satisfaction of the local community of Gwadar must be a yardstick to evaluate the success of the CPEC; not the rhetoric of the state's ministers and the hype of mainstream Pakistani media.

(The writer is a freelance columnist based in Balochistan, Pakistan. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at nizambaloch149@gmail.com)