Diamer-Basha Dam affected people hold Eid prayers at protest camp

Gilgit: People affected by the Diamer-Basha Dam project observed Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at their protest camp near Bab-e-Chilas on Monday, marking the 45th day of their sit-in demanding the fulfilment of a 31-point charter of rights.

Demonstrators from Diamer’s suburbs gathered at the site to offer prayers and reaffirm their resolve to continue protesting until their demands are met. The prayers were led by Maulana Hazratullah, chairman of the committee overseeing the protest.

Talking to HUM News English, Maulana Hazratullah said that protesters had initially planned to march toward the dam’s construction site after Eid prayers. He said the plan, however, was deferred after a technical committee formed by the Gilgit-Baltistan government requested “three to four days” for dialogue: “We accepted their request and postponed our march plan for four days due to Eid holidays.”

Hazratullah warned that if the demands – including compensation, land ownership rights, and jobs – remain unaddressed, protesters will hold a larger gathering then today’s and proceed to halt construction at the dam site. “We will not step back from our 31-point charter. The protest will continue until all grievances are resolved,” he asserted.

Govt agrees to address 13 demands of Diamer Basha Dam affected people

The sit-in, which began last month, has drawn attention to longstanding concerns of communities displaced by the mega hydropower project.

Meanwhile, Eid congregations were held across Gilgit-Baltistan, with large gatherings in major towns.

In Skardu, thousands attended Eid prayers at the central Eidgah. Smaller and larger congregations were reported in other districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, with strict security arrangements in place for the occasion.

In his special message, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan conveyed Eid greetings to the Muslims, saying Ramadan is auspicious time for people to achieve virtues like piety, discipline, patience and tolerance and to achieve success on worldly and spiritual level.

“Ramadan is a divine gift from Allah and by receiving its blessings we can be saved in the afterlife. Allah accepts the prayers and worship of believers, ” he said.

Eidul Fitr is a day to celebrate the completion of divine mercy and express gratitude to Allah, Khan said, and added “we should shine our lives with illumination by following the decrees of Allah, which is the straight path to worldly and eternal success”.

“While celebrating Eid we need to ensure that relatives, our neighbours, the less fortunate members of our society are also part of our joy, this is in line with the teachings of our faith and the spirit of our society, ” he said.

He added Eid-ul-Fitr is a time for Muslims to forget differences and put national progress above personal interests, the chief minister stressed. “We should move forward together with determination for the good of the country, ” he added.