Protest enters 50th day with no progress on 31-point charter of demands
DIAMER: The protest by the affectees of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project, under the banner of the “Haqooq-e-Do Dam Banao Tehreek,” has entered its 50th consecutive day, with no progress made on their 31-point list of demands. Frustrated by the government’s inaction, the protestors have now threatened to block the Karakoram Highway (KKH) indefinitely.
At a press conference held in Chilas on Sunday, leaders of the dam committee announced a possible long march towards the dam site. They claimed that over 3,000 youth from various tribes have been mobilized and called to assemble at the protest camp with full preparation.
The situation in Diamer remains tense and uncertain, as public anger continues to grow. The protest leaders—Maulana Hazratullah, Maulana Najeeb, Maulana Usman, Maulana Shahid, Maulana Aftab, and Maulana Umar Yar—issued a stern warning to WAPDA, the federal government, and the Gilgit-Baltistan administration: “Enough is enough. We will no longer remain silent. The Karakoram Highway will be blocked, and we will march towards the dam site.”
They urged all tribal youth who have submitted their names at the base camp to ensure their presence, warning all travelers to avoid using the KKH as it could be blocked at any moment.
Offices of WAPDA and other construction companies in Thor, Chilas, and other areas will remain closed. Starting tomorrow, all vehicles operated by these companies will be stopped and grounded. “If the situation deteriorates, WAPDA will be held solely responsible,” the protest leaders declared.
They also warned oil tanker owners supplying fuel to camps and offices—including the Bushi Das WAPDA camp in Thor—to halt deliveries immediately. Any violations, they said, would result in the tanker owners and drivers being held accountable.
Non-local employees who left for Eid holidays were instructed not to return to duty. “If they do, they themselves—and WAPDA—will be responsible for any consequences,” the statement added. The leaders reiterated their demand that local people be prioritized for employment and that all temporary local WAPDA workers be made permanent.
They further demanded immediate payment for the 18,000 acres of land acquired for the dam and pledged to continue their protest until all 31 demands are fully met. “We will not remain silent. If any unrest occurs during the sit-in, the district administration and WAPDA will bear full responsibility,” they warned.
As the protest grows in intensity, concerns are rising over potential road blockades and disruption of movement along one of Pakistan’s most strategic highways, linking Gilgit-Baltistan with the rest of the country.
