Karachi: After a weeks-long sit-in and protest by local residents rattled the government and forced authorities to deploy thousands of additional police officers in the region, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that he will take "strong action" against illegal trawler fishing off the coast of Gwadar.

For the past 28 days, hundreds of local residents, civil society activists, attorneys, and journalists, including women, have held major rallies and a sit-in in Gwadar against unnecessary checkpoints, severe water and electricity shortages, and threats to livelihoods from illegal fishing.

"I have taken note of the extremely reasonable demands of Gwadar's diligent fishermen. Khan wrote, "Will be taking firm action against illegal trawler fishing and will also discuss with CM Balochistan."  The protests were organized by Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, the Balochistan general secretary of the Jamaat-i-Islami party, who appreciated the premier's tweet.

From a total of 19 demands, Mr Rehman, who leads the Gwadar Ko Huqooq Do Tehreek (Give Rights to Gwadar Movement), said their two main demands were action against the "trawler mafia" and resolution of difficulties on the Iran border.

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