Balochistan government on Tuesday formed a high-level committee to prepare recommendations in order to protect social, political and economic rights of indigenous people of Gwadar in the aftermath of implementation of multi-billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
The Balochistan chief minister would head the committee with all parliamentary leaders and leader of the opposition as its members.
“All political groups and stake-holders would be consulted in this regard,” Balochistan government spokesman Anwar ul Haq Kakar told a press conference following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening.
The cabinet meeting thoroughly discussed issues relating to Balochistan especially the political and economic rights of people of Gwadar. Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri chaired the cabinet meeting.
“All grievances of indigenous people of Gwadar would be addressed,” Kakar said, adding that locals have to be the main stakeholders of CPEC.
He mentioned that experts belonging to various walks of life can also be included in the committee with regard to preparation of the recommendations.
He said it was debated in the meeting that whether the people from other provinces should be given right of vote in Gwadar or not.
“It is up to the committee to recommend any legislation in this regard”, the spokesman said. People of other provinces would enjoy all rights as citizens of Pakistan but right of vote would be decided by this high powered parliamentary committee, he said.
Baloch nationalist political parties have been expressing reservations and apprehensions with regard to the fear of turning majority local population into minority after huge influx in Gwadar.
Source: Dawn