March 10, 2025
By Sher Nadir
GILGIT
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam Affectees’ Committee has decided to continue their protest until their 31-point charter of demands is fully addressed.
Despite a meeting on March 9 between a federal committee—formed by the Prime Minister—and the protesters in Chilas, the 20-day-long protest persists, with demonstrators seeking the implementation of their demands, which include rehabilitation, allotment of agricultural land, and other critical issues.
The protest, organized by people affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, has brought attention to the grievances of the local population, who have sacrificed their homes and livelihoods for the construction of the dam. The 31-point charter of demands outlines their expectations for fair compensation, resettlement, and development in the region.
Federal Committee engages with protesters
During the meeting in Chilas, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Safron Engineer Amir Muqam, assured the protesters that the government has prioritized the rehabilitation of the affected people of the Bhasha and Dasu Dams, as well as the development of the area. He emphasized that the current administration is committed to addressing the concerns of the affectees, including financial packages for households, resettlement programs, and improvements in health, education, and infrastructure.
Minister Muqam also promised to recommend the establishment of a Danish School in Chilas to the Prime Minister, highlighting the government’s focus on education as a key area of development. Additionally, he directed WAPDA officials to expedite land compensation payments and ensure the construction of 23 schools in the affected areas.
Protesters seek immediate measures to address demands
The dam-affected people presented their grievances to the special committee, urging immediate action on their demands. Hazratullah, a representative of the protesters, presented the 31-point charter and clarified that they were not asking for all demands to be implemented at once. Instead, they were seeking the government’s commitment to addressing basic demands, such as financial packages for households that have not yet received compensation, allotment of six kanals of agricultural land per affected family, and the implementation of community-based schemes in health, education, and development.
Hazratullah suggested that the committee could announce immediate measures for some demands and provide written assurances for the remaining ones.
“If you are serious about solving the demands, you can solve some demands, for example, the financial package for the missing households, six kanal agricultural land each for the affected people, CBM schemes, including health, education, development, and resettlement of affectees,” he said. He added that such steps would demonstrate the government’s sincerity and allow the protesters to call off the sit-in.
“We have sacrificed everything for the dam, and justice should be ensured,” Hazratullah stated. He warned that while the people of Diamer are peaceful, they will not tolerate being ignored or mistreated. Despite the meeting, the protest organizers did not agree to end the sit-in, as they await concrete actions from the government.
Negotiations continue
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, along with Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Haji Rahmat Khaliq and Advisor for Forests Haji Shah Beg, continued negotiations with the protesters in an effort to convince them to end the protest. However, as of the latest reports, no resolution has been reached, and the sit-in continues.
Government’s commitment under scrutiny
The protest has highlighted the challenges faced by communities displaced by large-scale infrastructure projects. While the federal and provincial governments have expressed their commitment to addressing the affectees’ concerns, the lack of immediate action has fueled frustration among the protesters. The Diamer Dam Affectees Committee remains steadfast in its demand for justice, emphasizing that their sacrifices for the dam project must be acknowledged and compensated fairly.
As the protest enters its third week, all eyes are on the government to deliver on its promises and ensure that the demands of the affected people are met promptly and effectively. The situation underscores the need for transparent and inclusive decision-making processes in development projects to prevent similar conflicts in the future.