Tania Baloch
On 12th April a one day National Seminar was held in Gwadar. In this seminar participants included politicians, Media persons, students, academicians and government officials. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri and Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Aamer Riaz also participated in the seminar.
In opening session of the seminar there was a panel discussion comprising of Chairman Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Dr. Sajjad Baloch and Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Dostain Jamaldini. Both of the panelists tried to ensure the participants that people of Gwadar are stakeholders in the Gwadar project and legislation will be carried out to protect them.
In second session of the seminar, journalists belonging from other parts of country participated as guest speakers. Shortage of journalists from Balochistan was felt in this session as there was no one from the province where this seminar was held. Zubeda Jalal, former Federal Minister for Education, was also a part of this session. She failed to satisfactorily answer the questions raised about her contributions for her home region as a federal minister.
Saleem Safi received a standing ovation from the people of Gwadar. This proves that whenever journalists understands the problems of an area and talks about them then Baloch people do not stand back in appreciating them.
Saleem Safi raised concerns about the alleged route change controversy of the CPEC. He also urged people of Balochistan to question the leaders that they have elected themselves for their rights and ask them why they failed to do anything for people of Balochistan.
Asma Sheerazi, famous anchor, said that the image of Gwadar which I had carried in my mind is completely different from the reality which I experienced in this city and the concerns of the people are justified.
Dr. Shahid Masood during his speech urged CM of Balochistan to open up Balochistan for the media. When he was asked which elements do not allow the media to work in Balochistan, he failed to answer properly.
A specific mindset only wants Baloch to work as peons and drivers in the Gwadar port project – Essa Noori
Syed Essa Noori, MNA of Gwadar representing BNP, proved to be the best speaker of the entire event. He presented the problems of Balochistan in true manner and said that rights of local people have not been considered since there has been announcement of CPEC. He asked that would it not been better of vocational training centers had been established at the time when Gwadar port project was started so that local people could take over the port when it’s operational. He alleged that a specific mindset only wants Baloch to work as peons and drivers in the Gwadar port project. He also condemned the case of distorted definition in sociology textbook and termed it an assault on the honor of Baloch.
He further said that concerns of people of Gwadar are genuine and legislation should be made to address their reservations. He mentioned that the old communities of Karachi today are the most backward communities and today they have been left out from the development process.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Provincial Home Minister, said that situation in Balochistan is very peaceful at the moment. He urged the media to give the same level of attention to Balochistan as it gives to other provinces.
Turning point of the program was the speech of former CM, Dr. Malik Baloch. He said that his government along with Pak Army started a process for improvement in situation of Balochistan. Brave girls of Gwadar College refuted the claims of former CM. They said that Gwadar has not benefitted from the development process in anyway. They disclosed that there is no separate girl’s college for students of Gwadar let alone a University.
My personal analysis is that all the attendants of the seminar observed Gwadar from Koh-e-Batil which presents a very beautiful view. However, no one bothered to go down and meet common people of Gwadar in the city. Former CM is based in PC hotel Gwadar for last many days to reorganize his party. Strict security is a barrier for all those who want to meet him.
Attendants of seminar observed Gwadar from Koh-e-Batil which presents a very beautiful view and did not bother to go down and meet common people of Gwadar
Silver linings of the seminar were the announcements made by the CM of Balochistan. These include the establishment of Girls College in Gwadar, establishment of Desalination plant and announcement of grant of 1.5 million for Gwadar Press Club.
Seminars like these should be result oriented and have solutions for the problems discussed in them rather than being means of passing time.
Writer is Editor-in-Chief of Balochistan Inside Magazine
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