GWADAR: The government assurances of eliminating the Baloch sense of deprivation and underrepresentation in the federation of Pakistan encountered a setback after the federal government’s startling appointment of a non-local retired commodore of the Pakistan Navy as the Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) despite the presence of more senior Baloch officers who are legally deserving to serve on this coveted position.
According to the details, the federal ministry of ports and shipping has appointed Commodore (retired) Mohammad Azhar as the acting chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority in the absence of the current chairman Aslam Hayat, who is leaving for London for a period of two months.
The local community in Gwadar has expressed deep concern and displeasure over the government decision saying that the native people had been demanding topmost priority in the job opportunities at the Gwadar Port. Baloch nationalists had also resisted the construction of the port in Gwadar on similar grounds that it would jeopardize the Baloch demography.
The Ministry of Ports and Shipping has already issued the official notification for the appointment of Mr. Azhar, who was previously appointed on deputation, as the new acting chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA).
Sources in Gwadar told Balochhal that two Baloch officers, Farooq Baloch, Director General Finance at GPA and Khair Mohammad Shahwani, Director General Administration, had been serving at grade 20 on their positions since 2005 and 2007 respectively and they were more senior to the non-local officer whom many residents of Gwadar see as a biased officer.
“The people in Gwadar are asking for right of ownership and stakes in this extraordinary mega project,” said one local leader from the National Party, “we consider this official decision as anti-Baloch and demand the appointment of a Baloch officer as the chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority.
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