Chilas sit-in for Diamer-Bhasha Dam compensation enters 7th day

Chilas sit-in for Diamer-Bhasha Dam compensation enters 7th day


GILGIT: A sit-in protest in Chilas by hundreds of people affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project continued for the seventh consecutive day on Saturday as the ministerial committee formed to address their grievances held its first meeting.

The people affected by the project are protesting for a 31-point charter of demands. The protesters are demanding that the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) honor agreements signed in 2010 and provide compensation for the lands they gave up.

They are also calling for a fair reassessment of land compensation rates, reflecting current market values as determined by the G-B government, and the inclusion of every married couple in the Household Resettlement Package under the Chulha Package.

On Saturday, a delegation from Nagar district, led by religious figures, Opposition Leader in the G-B Assembly Kazim Mesum, and several other religious and political leaders, joined them in Chilas to show solidarity and support.

Addressing the gathering, Allama Syed Baqir Hussain said that the oppression and injustices faced by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan were not just the story of today and yesterday, but they have been enduring them for 75 years.

“A policy of divide and rule was implemented by the rulers, but now the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, especially the people of Diamer, have awakened. This policy can no longer continue. InshaAllah, the voices of Diamer will be the voices of Gilgit, and the voice of Diamer will also be the voice of Nagar,” he said.

Allama Hussain said the people of Diamer sacrificed their homes and markets for the construction of the dam, yet they have not received compensation, and the government treats their grievances as if they are of no importance. “The dam compensation is not just a local issue; it is an issue for all of Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan. As the protest continues, if their issues are not resolved, they will paralyze the entire Gilgit-Baltistan,” he affirmed.

The affected people of the Diamer-Basha Dam project launched the “Huqooq Do, Dam Banao Tehreek” (Give Rights, Build the Dam Movement) on Sunday when thousands of affected individuals gathered at Siddique Akbar Chowk in Chilas to press for their 31-point charter of demands.

Later, the protesters marched towards the Karakoram Highway, where they staged a sit-in. The KKH remained open for traffic. The protesters initially announced plans to march toward the Diamer-Basha Dam construction site on Monday. However, they later decided against it as a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and SAFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam was formed.

The committee held its first meeting on Saturday under the chairmanship of Minister Amir Muqam. Federal Minister for Water Resources, Musaddiq Hussain Malik, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, WAPDA Chairman Lt. Gen. (retd) Sajjad Ghani, Secretary Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, and SAFRON Zafar Hassan, Secretary Water Resources, G-B Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmad Mirza, and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Speaking on the occasion, Engineer Amir Muqam said that resolving the genuine demands of the Diamer Bhasha Dam project’s affected people was a priority for the central government.

He said as per the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif efforts were being made for compensation, the Water and Sanitation Scheme in Chilas, schools, and other projects.

Muqam said he was ready to meet the representatives of the protesting parties, and Federal Minister MusadiK Hussain Malik also confirmed that WAPDA would resolve all legitimate demands. The minister he would soon visit Chilas to personally meet with the protesters.



Courtesy By HUM News

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