Center to form body to address grievances of Diamer-Basha Dam affectees

GILGIT: As Diamer-Basha Dam affectees continued their protest for a 31-point charter of demands for the second consecutive day on Monday, the federal government announced the formation of a high-level committee to address their grievances.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting convened to discuss the unresolved issues of the Diamer-Basha Dam affectees, including compensation for ‘Missing Chulha’ affectees and the delayed implementation of confidence-building measures (CBMs).

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Chief Secretary, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman and senior officials from relevant departments.

Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed serious concerns over WAPDA’s failure to implement key decisions, warning that frustration among the affectees had reached its peak.

He pointed out that despite multiple meetings and the finalisation of terms of reference (TORs), the ‘Missing Chulha’ compensation remained unpaid, and employment opportunities for displaced families had not materialised.

The chief minister stated that the unnecessary delay in CBM projects was deepening the sense of deprivation among the affectees. He emphasised that even after 12 years, there has been no significant progress on initiatives meant to benefit local communities.

Kurram convoy attacked again, driver injured, truck looted

Gulbar Khan called for the immediate disbursement of the ‘Chulha Package’ and demanded the formation of a federal-level empowered committee to address the grievances of the affectees. He also urged WAPDA to transfer CBM project funds to the provincial government to expedite their implementation.

On the occasion, Engineer Amir Muqam assured attendees that the legitimate demands of the affectees would be addressed without further delay. He instructed WAPDA to ensure the prompt payment of ‘Missing Chulha’ compensation and to accelerate work on CBM projects.

The minister announced that, under the directives of the prime minister, a high-level committee would be formed, which will visit Gilgit-Baltistan within the next two days to hold discussions with affectees in Chilas and take decisive steps to resolve their “legitimate demands”.

Amir Muqam reiterated that the sacrifices of the Diamer Bhasha Dam affectees would not be overlooked and assured that their concerns would be addressed urgently.

Meanwhile, the Diamer administration held negotiations with protesters at a local hotel in Chilas, which failed to convince them to postpone their demonstrations.

The committee overseeing the protest announced that the demonstrations would continue until the arrival of the federal committee for negotiations.

“The federal committee, which will have full authority at the federal level, will be awaited for two days. If the committee does not arrive, the next plan will be announced at 10 am,” announced the committee chairman, Molana Hazratullah.

While talking to media, Molana Hazratullah said whenever a dam is constructed anywhere in the world, international regulations and laws are followed. “However, in the case of the Diamer-Basha Dam, which is a mega project, WAPDA has failed to honour even a single commitment made to the people of Diamer. The rights of the affectees have been completely ignored,” he alleged.

Hazratullah added that from 2007 to 2025, the affectees had faced nothing but exploitation and deprivation, and they had been left with nothing but unfulfilled promises and assurances.

“Eventually, after years of waiting, we have decided to initiate this movement under the slogan ‘Give us our rights, and build the dam.’ Our 31-point charter of demands is based on the rights that the dam affectees are entitled to under international laws. We have presented our demands before WAPDA, and we will not leave until they are met. If our demands are fulfilled, we will return home,” he said.

Hazratullah warned that if their demands were not met, they would continue their march towards the dam site.

“We have started a long march from Siddique Akbar Chowk, and our destination is the dam construction site. We have now set up our camp here, and we will continue our protest. Either our demands will be met, or we will be given a satisfactory response. If not, we will announce our next course of action after negotiations with the government delegation,” he added.

Hazratullah said that if the federal government formed a ministerial committee and that committee sat down with them for talks and met their demands, they would call off their protest.

PTI urges judiciary to “stand on its feet, declare enough is enough”

“We are ready to negotiate today, tomorrow, or whenever they decide. However, until a conclusive decision is reached, our protest will continue. The long march will end only when the committee acknowledges our rights and officially recognises them,” he reiterated.

Earlier on Sunday, thousands of Diamer-Basha Dam affectees gathered at Siddique Akbar Chowk in Chilas to press for their 31-point charter of demands, urging the government to address their grievances. After a six-hour-long protest at the chowk, the protesters marched towards the Karakoram Highway and staged a sit-in without blocking the road.

They announced their intention to march towards the Diamer-Basha Dam construction site. However, they later decided against proceeding towards the dam site as a high-level meeting was convened in Islamabad.