Diamer Bhasha Dam Affectees Block Karakoram Highway, Demand Compensation

Affectees of the Diamer Bhasha Dam in Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, to protest the Water and Power Development Authority's (Wapda) failure to pay the promised compensation for their lands acquired for the dam's construction. The protesters, led by the action committee of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, were demanding the pending 'Chula (stove) Package' payments, which are financial assistance promised to them before their departure from their houses.

The blockade left hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road, including tourists traveling to and from Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad. The Diamer Deputy Commissioner held negotiations with the demonstrators, but they refused to leave the road until their demands were met. The affectees claimed that the government had not fulfilled its promise to provide the Chula payments to over 800 affected people.

Why this matters: The Diamer Bhasha Dam is a vital infrastructure project for Pakistan, aimed at generating electricity and storing water for irrigation. However, the unresolved compensation issues for the affected local population underscore the challenges in balancing development goals with the rights and welfare of the displaced communities.

The Diamer Bhasha Dam is a multi-billion dollar project that has been in the works for several years. It is expected to generate 4,500 megawatts of electricity and store over 8 million acre-feet of water for irrigation purposes. The construction of the dam has required the acquisition of large tracts of land, displacing thousands of local residents.

The government had promised to provide compensation and resettlement packages to the affected families, including the Chula Package, which was meant to assist them in setting up their households in new locations. However, the protesters allege that the authorities have failed to fulfill their commitments, leaving many families in a state of uncertainty and financial hardship.

The blockade of the Karakoram Highway, a critical transportation artery connecting Pakistan with China, has caused significant disruptions to traffic and trade. The protesters have vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are met. "We will not leave the road until Wapda releases the pending Chula Package payments," stated one of the protest leaders. The local administration is currently engaged in negotiations with the demonstrators to find a resolution to the issue and restore the flow of traffic on the highway.

Key Takeaways

• Diamer Bhasha Dam affectees block Karakoram Highway to demand promised compensation.
• Protesters allege Wapda failed to pay 'Chula Package' financial assistance as committed.
• Diamer Bhasha Dam is a multi-billion dollar project to generate electricity and store water.
• Construction has displaced thousands, with unresolved compensation issues for affected families.
• Blockade disrupts traffic and trade, local administration negotiating to resolve the issue.