Gwadar: A Review of 2013

2013 remains only as an anecdote now as it is the time that will never recur; however the conditions, situations, events and incidents which appeared through out the year had left footsteps in the sand of time which will remain for ever and have immense affects on everything in future as well. Taking a glimpse at previous year in Gwadar, we would find that several astonishing situations came forward; numerous political ups and downs came into view where as Gwadar gained a little but lost too. 

The loss of one of the preeminent persons of Gwadar Waja Imam Buksh Imam in the end of 2012 can be identified as an unfortunate incident. Hence we remained deprived of such a legend in the entire preceding year. But his thoughts will always remain immortalized in shape of his poetry and scripts.

After the drought of 2012, the rains in different parts of the year made 2013 a blessed year regarding the water storage in the dam. Despite the fact that it was not the perfect way out but it did work for 2013 though. However, the local government has to find a permanent solution to this issue which has been troubling the residents of Gwadar for over sixty years now.

The most interesting or the major shifts were the both elections, national as well as municipality. Several candidates remained in the same party while some candidates changed allies. Regardless of being petrified by threatens, candidates who today might be our ministers, members of provincial and national assembly, kept on giving speeches in Mullah Pazul Chok and carried on their campaigns till they achieved their objective of owning the seat for the coming five years. Nationalist parties in Gwadar had been dominant over other parties in both elections. Apart from not getting the majority of seats, the provincial government was at a halt handed to the National Party.

Chief Minister had two official visits of Gwadar during the eight month’s government but the issues have maintained their previous position yet. Civil hospital, in the district headquarter still doesn’t have any surgeons or main hospitalizing facilities. There still isn’t any authorized girls’ college in the city yet. Trawlers from Sindh are still genociding the fish of Gwadar coast. The old neighborhoods of Koh bun ward, Shado band and some other areas are still facing issues due to the poor quality of sewerage system along with numerous other issues; either political, economic or social, are still distressing the so-called port major city.

Albeit, in the presence of heavy number of forces in and around the city, 2013 is notorious in relation to robberies, larcenies, smuggling and numerous such crimes that ensued constantly during the year. Police itself had been very satisfied after discovering the five abducted Tanzanian men, who were kidnapped by drug mafias in New Town Gwadar, but the underprivileged populace had never been satisfied with police, along with never being successful in its actual job which the end of crime is, police had always been deficiently ineffective in discovering the smugglers and drug mafias who are devastating Baloch youth.

On the other hand, the quake jolts shattered several places in the home province, mean while Gwadar’s schools, college and several social organizations commenced fund raisers, to support the effected Baloch sisters and brothers. Along with them, the political organizations as well carried out their attempts to help the effected communities. However, the effected people still necessitate attention. They are still away from complete renovations of their houses, schools and many more buildings.

Last year brought up some astounding specifics as well. The rise and appear of the new emerged island in the west bay of Gwadar after the earth quake in September amazed the world. After some researches by geologists, it was divulged that methane gas along with other gases is found there, which needs to be acquired out but without particular infrastructure, it might never be possible to do so, and we might lose this excellent opportunity to benefit the region. As this island appeared in 1945 too but went underneath the sea after a year. However, the newly emerged island will remain a historical occurrence of 2013.

One of the highlights can also be last year’s large number of protests and demonstrations which came forward in the city against the non-locals’ recruitment by different organizations. Gwadar Youth Forum, a local youth organization persistently argued for the rights of Gwadar’s unemployed youth. Due to the organization’s efforts today several youth in Gwadar had survived to be deprived from their right to be employed but Gwadar Youth Forum is still exerting hard for the remaining vacancies occupied by non-locals and demonstrate for the rights of economically stability for the locals.

Gwadar maintained its forged status as one of the most expensive towns in the entire previous year. Residents had to pay 25% to 50% more for each consumption material where as the people with financial crisis had to suffer due to the stun increase in prices. In spite of all this, neither the municipal committee bothered to inspect the stores in the market, nor it presented any price catalog to the storekeepers till the end of the year. Along with being ignorant of other responsibilities, municipal committee neglected the health and hygiene consciousness and wasn’t concerned about unhygienic condition of the city. Hospital had remained crowded with the patients of malaria, measles, diarrhea and countless epidemic diseases in the entire year.

Being elected as a counselor, minister and member of national or provincial assembly might seem luxuriousness but it truly is a lane occupied with thorns where responsibilities may raise challenges. Contenders of so-called democracy will have to pay attention to the fair criticisms of public. 2013, was both tart and astringent. Hence, learning from past experiences, and moving forward to a New Year, Gwadar’s people are expecting some positive change-making projects as resolution for the New Year by their political leaders, government and private organizations as well as the significant people. Consequently, it is to be seen now that what the up coming time will bring forth for the people.