An exclusive interview with the newly elected MPA from Gwadar Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman
Maulana Hidayat Rahman Baloch is a Pakistani politician and social activist from Gwadar from Balochistan. Initiating his political career in 2003, Maulana 44, embarked on his journey with the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), know is Islami Jamait-e-Tulba.
Starting as a dedicated worker, he ascended to the position of provincial General Secretary within the JI. He is currently serving as the provincial vice President of Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan chapter. Baloch is also known for the Gwadar protest and for his leadership in the Haq Do Tehreek (HDT), a movement advocating for the rights of the people of Gwadar. He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan from the Gwadar constituency in February 2024 general elections. Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman, commonly known simply as Maulana -- a term for Islamic scholars -- won his race of general elections by over 4,500 votes. He defeated Mir Hammal Kalmati, scion of the Kalmati political clan that has dominated local politics for decades, who had gone undefeated since 2008. Mir Hammal kalamti had been consistently winning election in Gwadar for the last 15 years.
Active in Gwadar politics for more than two decades, as part of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Islamist party, Rehman's fortunes took a turn in August 2021 when he staged a sit-in protest for the rights of Gwadar residents. He went on to establish the Gwadar Rights Movement, giving voice to public grievances over security checkpoints, deep-sea fish trawling believed to be hurting local catches and restrictions on border trade with Iran.
In an exclusive interview with Huashang News, Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman shared his views about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), issues people of Gwadar facing, security and his plans for the betterment of local people in Gwadar. Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman also condemned the terrorist attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan and said that development cannot process without peace. Gwadar Port Authority Complex attacks including all terrorist activities are condemned. For development, it is necessary to initiate the process of dialogue and settle matter through table talk. We always deplore the loss of human lives.
Maulana Hidayat Ur Rehman said that people of Balochistan especially Gawadar want development from the beginning. We have always welcomed the development projects including Gawadar port, CPEC and other mega projects. We desire that people of Balochistan to directly benefit from the fruits of these Mega projects. Actually, China Pakistan Economic Corridor is an agreement between two countries and history of world bears witnesses that the powerful countries are more focused on self-interest than interest of people where they invest. However, such approach runs the risk of failure. Therefore, even the success of CPEC will heavily dependent upon how government of Pakistan and China address the concerns and grievances of local people.
About current progress of CPEC projects in Gwadar, he thinks that the public interest projects are being built slowly and operated at minimum potential in Gawadar. Precisely, the local community of Gawadar demands basic necessities from CPEC project but unfortunately their lifestyle has not changed so far. This is an alarming situation because it adds to the existing concerns of people. Responding to a question how he plans to deal with CPEC projects in Gawadar, he said that he will sit with Ministry of Planning and Development and government of China for demanding the desired share of local community of Gawadar for CPEC projects.
Maulana denies the claim of concern authority that CPEC has become a game changer. Till today, the people of Gawadar are deprived of clean water and basic health facilities. He intends to demand from china number of scholarships for youth, not solar panels. I will fight the case of youth of Gawadar in every democratic forum. My efforts will be to sit with Ministry of Planning and Development and demand for a share in these projects for Gawadar, because, without improving the quality life of local community, any project becomes useless. I am representative of local people of Gwadar; therefore, I will represent them in any public forums.
Maulana further stated that when these mega projects were started, we were expecting that standard of living of the people of Gwadar would ameliorate and people would be prosperous, but due to the government's incompetence, corruption and lake of vision, their fruits were not realized. So far betterment is falling on the people of Gwadar. According to him, the orange train and university is being built in Lahore while, the people of Gwadar including Balochistan have been deprived from the CPEC projects. I will convince federal government that Gwadar need basic facilities including education and health, youth of Gwadar need employment. The job opportunities from Gwadar Port, Gwadar New International Airport and other CPEC project should be given to local peoples.
As representative of Gwadar I will demand from Governments of Pakistan and China to equip the youth of Gwadar with managerial, technical and operational skills by giving scholarships so that in the future our youth will be able to operate the Gwadar port, New Gawadar International Airport and other CPEC related projects. I know the youth of Gwadar are unemployed and for the first time the youth of Gwadar elected me by voting for my narrative. Until the youth of Gwadar are not satisfied then development projects will not be meaningful. I want the youth of Gwadar to be able to operate all the projects of Gwadar in future. For this I will struggle at every democratic forum.
In response a question, newly elected MPA of Gwadar Maulana Hidayat ul Rehman suggested that the objective of development cannot be realized without removing of concerns of local people including Baloch Nation. Local community standard of living has to change because unless peoples’ standard of living changes they will not be satisfied with any project.
Regarding the major issues of Gwadar, He said that currently, there are many challenges in Gwadar to address. To restore the confidence of local people first, employment must be provided to youth. Local fishermen are concerned because of illegal fishing/ trolling which is a direct threat to their income and we must work to protect the sea. Further he added Gwadar is located near Iranian border and thousands of people's trade associated with Iranian border. I will try to make a mechanism about border trade with the help of security officials. The primary education and health system in Gwadar is also poor and need to be addressed. There are several problems in every sector in Gawadar. I will try to solve the problems by consulting with the people and with the support of the people we are going to overcome the problems and to be honest during election campaign I received unconditional support from the people of Gawadar.
Maulana argued that there are two main sources of income in the entire Gwadar district, one is the border trade associated with Iranian border and other is the sea. Apart from fishing and border trade, other sources of income are Gwadar limited. Currently, the border trade is not going freely, thousands of local people run their home from border trade, with business of Irani petroleum and other products. Due to lack of mechanism in the border, the local businesses and daily based labours are facing difficulties and problems. In this regard, I will discuss with security authorities and the district administration to create a mechanism so that free border trade is possible.
Answering a question about illegal fishing, Maulana said that there are serious concerns of the local fishermen due to illegal fishing in the coast of Balochistan. Trawlers of Sindh province do illegal fishing in Balochistan coast, therefore due to illegal fishing the sea production is going to decrease. A mechanism is also needed to stop illegal fishing, although under the Balochistan fisheries ordinance Act, all types of fishing within twelve nautical miles are prohibited and local fishermen of Balochistan also adhere to it, while, the Sindh trawlers who fish with illegal and prohibited nets, due to which the coastal areas of Balochistan marine life is being destroyed. To stop marine life and species Genocide, Sindh and federal fisheries authorities will consider legislation by metting, actually majority of people of the Gwadar depend of fishing for their livelihood.
In a response a question regarding security issues, He said, the issue of security is not only for Gwadar but for the entire region. Investors will not come in an atmosphere of fear. It is responsibility of the state to protect life and property of every citizen including investors. It is very difficult to counter the security challenges without support of public. The problem will not be solved until people are satisfied. People have to made partners in the process of development by taking their concerns into account. Development cannot process without peace. For development, it is necessary to initiate the process of dialogue and settle matters through table talk. I always deplore the loss of human Lives.
When asked about recent past that he had blocked CPEC routs and advised to Chinese citizens to leave Gwadar, he replied that he never spoke against China, during the protests. He only said that the people of Gwadar are protesting for basic rights. Therefore, he asked China to support the people of Gwadar. However, it is responsibility of State of Pakistan to solve the basic issues of Gwadar. But China is a stakeholder in Gwadar and signed a 40 years agreement. Therefore, we are not wrong to demand support for our people from China.
Finally, when I asked him about local people expectations and future plan, He argues that I know the people's expectations from me are so high because it is the first time in Gwadar that people have voted for me supporting my narrative and local people of Gwadar have more expectations and hopes from me than Baloch Nationalist parties and federalist political parties.
He said that in order to bring reform in Gawadar, I will plan to work on such development projects, the fruits of which can reach the common people of Gawadar. Because the purpose of my long struggle is for bring betterment of the people of Gawadar living style.
He states that he knows that problems can take centuries to solve. All these problems will not solve in one day, they have to plan for solution. He has given people a new perspective and way of thinking. He continues to provide awareness to people so that they know their rights. The people of Gwadar were fed up with the situation Political parties let people down and that's why people are now disgusted with political parties and therefore elected me by power of the vote. The result of my political struggle is that today I have been elected Member of provincial assembly by votes of local peoples. I know the people of Gwadar have a lot of expectations from me; I will try to fulfill them. I will fight for the rights of people of Gwadar in provincial assembly, and outside of provincial assembly.
Reporting Correspondent: Zareef Baloch
