People in Diamer district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan staged protests blocking the Karakoram Highway to demand rights for those affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam construction. The protesters, part of the ‘Huqooq Do, Dam Banao’ movement, have been holding a sit-in for five days over unmet agreements with the government. Law enforcement personnel intervened to prevent protesters from reaching the dam site, leaving many stranded.
The organizers called for a protest in the Thore valley, prompting people from various parts of Diamer to join in. Despite efforts to block their movement, protesters managed to hold a sit-in along the Karakoram Highway, causing disruptions to travel. Chief organizer Maulana Hazratullah warned of advancing towards the dam site if their demands were not met promptly, blaming Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) officials for the impasse.
The protesters insisted that they would only end the sit-in once their demands were addressed, citing unfulfilled promises from Wapda officials. Despite an agreement signed a year ago, protesters claimed that none of the clauses had been implemented, including the regularization of local employees. The standoff continues as protesters seek resolution from the authorities.
