Protests against Pakistan’s exploitative policies in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) have intensified, with affected communities demanding justice for their displacement due to the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project. Religious leader Maulana Hazratullah has presented a 31-point charter of demands to the occupying-govt’s committee, pressing for compensation, local employment, and a fair share of the dam’s royalties.
For years, the people of PoGB have been systematically exploited by the Paki establishment, which has prioritized Punjab’s interests while neglecting the rights and welfare of PoGB’s indigenous population. The construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam epitomizes this exploitation, as vast tracts of land have been seized without fair compensation, while the generated electricity and revenues are funneled to Punjab, leaving locals in perpetual deprivation.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, a massive 422-billion-rupee project launched on May 13, 2010, with Chinese and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) involvement, stands as a symbol of this exploitation. Since its inception, neither WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) nor the occupying Paki establishment has addressed the legitimate grievances of the displaced people.
Key Demands of the Protesters:
- 80% royalty from the Diamer Dam and 30% from the Dassu Dam for PoGB.
- Free electricity for Diamer district and discounted rates for the rest of PoGB.
- Compensation for 18,000 acres of seized land and financial relief for 3,000 displaced families.
- Six kanals of agricultural land per affected family and eligibility for the “Chulha Package” for every married couple.
- Infrastructure development, including schools, hospitals, and sewerage systems.
- Employment rights for local workers, including the regularization of daily wage laborers involved in the project.
The people of PoGB have sacrificed everything—ancestral lands, homes, and even the graves of their forefathers—to make way for the dam, yet they have received nothing in return. Over 80,000 affected individuals have still not received compensation.
Despite their repeated appeals, the people of PoGB have been subjected to broken promises by WAPDA and the Paki establishment. The affected communities have now vowed to halt all dam construction activities until their demands are met.
Punjab’s greed at PoGB’s expense
The ongoing protests expose a long-standing pattern of exploitation by the Punjabi-Paki establishment. The wealth generated from PoGB’s natural resources—including water, minerals, and hydropower—is shamelessly diverted to benefit Punjab, while the locals remain in poverty, joblessness, and energy deprivation. Despite being rich in water resources, PoGB faces severe electricity shortages.
Moreover, political and religious leaders across Pakistan remain deafeningly silent, unwilling to challenge the Punjabi Pak Army establishment that profits from PoGB’s suffering. The denial of basic rights, political suppression, and economic exploitation underscore Pakistan’s colonial-style governance over the region.