WAPDA Dams Committee reviews land acquisition, resettlement issues of Diamer Basha Dam

MIRPUR, Mar 10 (APP): The Implementation Committee on Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams (ICDBMD) on Tuesday held its significant eighth meeting to review progress on land acquisition and resettlement matters related to the mega Diamer Basha Dam Project. Meanwhile, the meeting was presided over by ICDBMD Chairman and WAPDA Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Saeed (Retd). Notably, the committee was constituted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in July 2018 to ensure the timely commencement and completion of the two strategic dam projects.
The meeting was attended by senior federal and provincial officials, including the Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Joint Secretary (Budget) Finance Division, Senior Member Board of Revenue Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Additional Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, Secretary Planning and Development Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Deputy Secretary (EA) Prime Minister’s Office, and other concerned authorities. In addition, senior officials from WAPDA, including the Member (Water), Secretary WAPDA, and project directors of Diamer Basha and Mohmand Dams, actively participated in the session, along with Chairman Ulama Committee Maulana Hazrat Ullah.
During the meeting, Commissioner Diamer-Astore Division comprehensively briefed the committee on the implementation status of previous decisions and issues related to compensation for affectees, particularly the sensitive “Missing and Double Chula (Household) Package.” Subsequently, the General Manager (Land Acquisition and Resettlement) WAPDA carefully informed the participants about matters concerning leftover land, land mutation, Ginni Pozzolan, Tangir Hydropower Project, and the boundary dispute along the right bank of the River Indus. Additionally, progress on the “2025 Agreement” reached between the federal government and the Diamer Ulama Committee was also reviewed.
On this occasion, while addressing the meeting, Chairman Lt. Gen. Muhammad Saeed (Retd) strongly emphasized the vital importance of the Diamer Basha Dam Project for Pakistan’s water, food, and energy security. Therefore, he urged all stakeholders to collectively play their role in resolving outstanding issues and completing the project without delay. He reiterated WAPDA’s commitment to implementing the 2025 Agreement in letter and spirit and called upon local communities and representatives of the “Haqooq Do Dam Banao Committee” to actively support the smooth execution of the project. The Diamer Basha Dam, being constructed across the River Indus, will store 8.1 million acre-feet of water and generate 4,500 megawatts of clean and affordable electricity upon completion, significantly contributing to the country’s economic stability.