The sit-in by those affected by the Diamer -Bhasha Dam entered its 42nd day on Friday, with no agreement reached between the Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan government and other stakeholders.
Protesters in Chilas, the district headquarters of Diamer, expressed frustration over the unfulfilled promises related to their 31-point demand list.
The protest movement, titled ‘Huqooq Do, Dam Banao’ , has gained significant support from across PoGB and is expected to intensify following Eid.
The protesters have made it clear that they will not allow the construction of the dam unless their demands are met. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and PoGB Amir Muqam, who heads the committee formed by the prime minister to address the grievances of the affected people, suggested that the protest committee engage in talks with the government committee to resolve the issues.
For the past 15 days, construction work on the periphery road and offices of the Water and Power Development Authority and other dam-related companies in Chilas have been halted. Multiple rounds of negotiations have failed to produce a resolution.
Maulana Hazratullah, the head of the protest movement committee, addressed the protesters, stating that despite the harsh weather and the ongoing month of Ramadan, thousands of people continue to participate in the sit-in.
He expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in addressing the demands, accusing authorities of delaying tactics and forming
committees without taking meaningful action. He emphasized that the protest would only end once the demands are fulfilled