one Baloch fisherman was killed, and another was injured in an alleged attack by Pakistani coastguards in the Jiwani area of Gwadar district, Balochistan.
The incident occurred when a fishing boat carrying Abdul Ghaffar Baloch and Abdul Sadiq was reportedly rammed by coastguards. Abdul Ghaffar died at the scene, while Abdul Sadiq sustained injuries.
Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), claimed that the attack was ordered by Coastguard Major Ahmed.
In a statement on X, Paank condemned the incident as a “blatant misuse of power and violence against civilians” and called for an investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
Baloch fishermen have expressed growing concerns about their livelihoods, which they say are increasingly threatened by illegal deep-sea trawling and alleged harassment by security forces. (Balochistan Post)
Local fishermen accuse the Coast Guard of targeting them during fishing trips, with some alleging that those who resist face forced disappearances or death. “We face harassment while trying to make a living. Events like these make our lives intolerable,” one fisherman said.
Recent weeks,residents of Gwadar have seen multiple reports of alleged Coast Guard misconduct, including incidents where fishing boats were rammed, resulting in fatalities.
Gwadar, often referred to as the “crown jewel” of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is crucial to Pakistan’s economic ambitions. However, local residents claim they have been marginalized in their own land.
Despite the city’s strategic importance, many residents rely on fishing as their primary source of income and face persistent challenges, including poor infrastructure, lack of clean water, and limited job opportunities.
Protests, including sit-ins, have become more frequent in response to these grievances, with activists accusing authorities of neglecting their concerns. “The government has made promises, but nothing has changed for us,” said a local resident.
Pakistani Coast Guard officials have not yet to respond to the allegations regarding the attack in Jiwani.