Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Urges Reopening of Gwadar Border Crossings to Help Local Workers
Quetta [Balochistan], September 25: Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, the leader of Haq Do Tehreek (HDT), has called on authorities to reopen all border crossings from Gwadar to Chaman. He warned that if the situation is not resolved, daily wage laborers might resort to desperate measures, including suicide bombings.
Speaking at a press conference, Rehman emphasized that border trade provides jobs for three million people and is essential for peace. He was joined by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders Maulana Abdul Hameed Mansoori and Abdul Wali Shakir.
Rehman, a member of the Balochistan Assembly, criticized the Apex Committee for increasing poverty and unemployment by closing border crossings. He argued that the government labels border trade as smuggling but fails to provide alternative employment for the affected people.
He highlighted that Balochistan has limited job opportunities beyond border trade and lacks industrial infrastructure. According to government data, only 5,000 jobs are provided annually, leaving many educated youth unemployed.
Rehman pointed out that laborers risk their lives by taking dangerous routes for employment. He challenged the Apex Committee’s claim that border trade harms the economy, suggesting that the ruling elite should reduce their perks instead of eliminating jobs.
He also accused district officials of extorting money at border points, asserting that these practices are the real burden on the economy, not border trade.
Doubts Revealed
Maulana Hidayatur Rehman -: Maulana Hidayatur Rehman is a leader of a group called Haq Do Tehreek (HDT). He is speaking up for people who work for daily wages and are affected by the border closures.
Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) -: Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) is a movement or group that fights for the rights of people, especially workers. They want fair treatment and better living conditions for everyone.
Gwadar -: Gwadar is a city in Pakistan, near the sea. It is important because it has a big port where ships come and go, bringing goods and helping trade.
Chaman -: Chaman is another city in Pakistan, close to the border with Afghanistan. It is a key place for trade between the two countries.
Apex Committee -: The Apex Committee is a group of important people who make big decisions for the country. They are supposed to help solve problems and make things better for everyone.
daily wage laborers -: Daily wage laborers are people who work and get paid each day. They don’t have a regular job and depend on daily work to earn money for their families.
extortion -: Extortion means forcing someone to give you money by threatening them. It is illegal and unfair, and it makes life harder for people who are already struggling.