Pak building second naval base in Balochistan

Islamabad, Feb.23 (ANI): Pakistan has decided to build a second naval base in the region of Gwadar, known as Kalmat Chundi Hore.

According to a report in the Pakistan Tribune, 30,000 acres of land has been set aside for the proposed naval base.

The newspaper says further that it expects a large number of residents to be shifted to other locations because of the government's decision.

It is also feared that thousands of fishermen will lose their jobs, as the Pakistan Navy will occupy their work areas.

The region of Pasni (Kalat Chundi Hore) is not only a place for high quality prawns and other different types of fish, it is also a breeding place for many marine species.

Every year, millions of rupees worth of prawns and fish are exported from Kalmat Chundi Hore to Karachi and the international market.

Sources say that if the government of Pakistan decides to go ahead with plans to build the new naval base, it will cost thousands of fishermen their jobs.

Residents of the area have appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the governor and chief minister of Balochistan to cancel plans to build the naval base.

An appeal has also gone out international environment campaigners to intervene and stop this project.

Currently, Balochistan has seven mega military garrisons, 52 paramilitary cantonments and four naval bases, including Jinnah naval base, in Ormara.

Also, there are missile-testing ranges and two nuclear development and testing sites in the province.

The militarisation of Balochistan, however, continues unabated. (ANI)