rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), March 10: The Implementation Committee on Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams (ICDBMD) convened today to review issues of land acquisition and resettlement for the Diamer Basha Dam Project, officials stated.
The ICDBMD was constituted by the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan in July 2018 to ensure the early commencement and timely completion of the Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams. Since then, the committee has been holding regular meetings to monitor progress, resolve bottlenecks, and coordinate between federal, provincial, and local authorities.
The 8th meeting was presided over by ICDBMD/WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd). It was attended by senior officials, including the Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Joint Secretary (Budget) Finance Division, Senior Member Board of Revenue Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Secretary P&D Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Deputy Secretary (EA) Prime Minister’s Office, Commissioner Hazara Division, Commissioner Diamer Astore Division, WAPDA members, project directors, and Chairman Ulama Committee Moulana Hazrat Ullah.
During the session, the Commissioner Diamer Astore briefed the committee on compliance with previous decisions, focusing on compensation issues for affected households, particularly missing or double “Chula” packages.
The GM (Land Acquisition & Resettlement) WAPDA highlighted matters regarding leftover land, land mutations, Ginni Pozzolan, Tangir Hydropower Project, and boundary disputes along the right bank of the Indus River. Progress on the 2025 Agreement between the federal government and Diamer Ulama Committee was also discussed, along with plans for continuous stakeholder engagement and raising public awareness on the project’s benefits.
Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed emphasized the importance of completing the Diamer Basha Dam Project for Pakistan’s water, food, and energy security. He urged all stakeholders to play their roles diligently, reiterating WAPDA’s commitment to implementing the 2025 Agreement fully. He called on the GB administration and local communities to facilitate land acquisition and smooth project execution, and encouraged the ‘Haqooq Do Dam Banao Committee’ to educate people on the long-term benefits instead of causing delays.
The Diamer Basha Dam, a mega multipurpose project on the River Indus, will store 8.1 MAF of water and generate 4,500 MW of clean, green, and affordable electricity, contributing significantly to the stability of Pakistan’s national economy upon completion.