By: Mariyam Suleman As the fireworks lit up the port-city of Gwadar for its 60th year celebration of being a part of Pakistan, its citizens seem lost somewhere between the brightness of promises of future development and darkness of their unresolved issues. Gwadar, with its deep-sea port and the ambitious project China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) is all set to emerge ...

By: Mariyam Suleman Although, Pakistan has constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, expression and press, according to Amnesty International 2017-18 report, the crackdown on freedom of expression is growing. With no improvement, this year Pakistan again ranked 139th out of 180 on annual World Press Freedom Index released last month. As much as cases of attacks on journalists and threats ...

By: Mariyam Suleman Water management  in Gwadar, a port city on the southwestern coast of Balochistan, Pakistan has turned into a severe challenge for local and national authorities. Citizens have taken to the streets to protest both against the water crisis and the authorities that have failed to pay the tanker companies which have been providing water to the city ...

By: Mariyam Suleman Quetta: Quetta’s prominent young lawyer and human rights activist Jalila Haidar started a hunger strike on Friday to protest the failure of law enforcers to stop Hazara community killings in Quetta. Jalila remains firm with her only demand: “Stop Hazara Genocide” and says to continue her fast unto-death hunger strike until they are not assured by the ...

By: Mariyam Suleman The Balochistan government’s failure to take steps against illegal fishing vessels in Balochistan coast, prevent the growth of fisheries industry in Balochistan, causing severe damage to marine life and rise economic crisis for local fishermen. The ongoing disputes raised in the Balochistan coast beginning in early 2000, are often portrayed as being centered to fishermen community only. ...

By: Mariyam Suleman The heart of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) struggles with thirst after years of chronic water shortages and soaring rates of water-borne diseases. As the regional hub of global trade network enters a new phase of development, more people, and on-going construction work are using up the scant water supply. Due to a shortage of clean water, one ...

By: Mariyam Suleman Balochistan fell into a terrifying chaos after Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed on 26th August 2006. Although the news about the death of Nawab Bugti was confirmed hours later, hundreds of protesters demonstrated on roads the same night. This time, the protests did not limit to the provincial capital of Quetta or to the tribal areas ...

By: Mariyam Suleman  With her colorful traditional Balochi dress, (now a housewife) Amina Baloch is unwavering in purpose. Few years back, she was keenly aware of the expectations the women in her area had of her as their councilor in Neghey, 300 kilometers from the provincial capital of Quetta, a village in the district of Kuzdar.        Amina ...

By: Mariyam Suleman Pakistan US Alumni Network Chapter Gwadar (PUAN-Gwadar) conducted two different events for students and teachers of Gwadar to explore better understanding for better learning and teaching experience. The first event was conducted on 21st July in YES Alumni Library (Unique English Language Center), based on Sean Covey’s book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teenagers”. The seven habits ...

By: Mariyam Suleman As a local active woman in Gwadar, Asma Baloch participated in political activities with some of her senior colleagues for several years, finally, as part of Balochistan National Party; she made her way into the local government of Gwadar as a councilor. The prospect of becoming part of the local leadership made her feel, she recalled recently- ...