Diamer-Basha Dam protestors warn of KKH Blockade as sit-in enters 50th day

GILGIT: The affected people of the Diamer-Basha Dam project announced a new plan to intensify their protests as their sit-in in Chilas for a 31-point charter of demands entered its 50th consecutive day on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference in Chilas, Maulana Hazratullah, head of a committee overseeing the protest movement “Huqooq Do, Dam Banao” (Give Rights, Build the Dam), said thousands of protesters continued their sit-in near the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at Chilas for 50 days despite harsh weather and Ramadan, but the government “is not interested in solving our issues.”

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“No progress has been made on the implementation of our charter of demands for the last 40 days. Only committees are being formed, and delaying tactics are being used. WAPDA is passing the issue to the G-B Government, which passes it to the Federal Government, while the issues remain unresolved,” Hazratullah said.

He advised travelers on the KKH to avoid unnecessary travel, warning that the “road could be blocked at any time.”

Hazratullah also urged non-local WAPDA employees who left for Eid holidays not to return for work, cautioning that they would be held responsible for any “unrest created after their return.”

He directed WAPDA drivers not to ply their vehicles on the road, saying, “If any WAPDA vehicle is seen plying on the road with or without a changed number plate, the driver and official in the vehicle will be responsible for the consequences.”

Hazratullah warned petrol pumps in Chilas and oil tankers against supplying fuel to WAPDA offices.

He called on all youth who have sworn in” to ensure their presence at the sit-in, receive training for the next phase of action, and await further instructions from ulema.

“We began our long march toward the dam site from Siddique-e-Akbar Chowk in Chilas and set up a temporary sit-in camp near Bab-e-Chilas. Once we resume our march, the KKH will be closed to traffic,” he added.

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

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Protesters later marched toward the KKH, staging a sit-in while keeping the highway open. They initially planned to march to the dam site but paused as a high-level committee—chaired by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and SAFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam—was formed.

Subsequently, two more committees were formed by the Gilgit-Baltistan Apex Committee. Despite dialogue with protesters, no resolution has been achieved.