The jirga was held outside Dasu district courts and attended by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Abdul Sattar Khan and tribal elders from across Kohistan.
The same jirga had blocked work on the dam on September 21, demanding the government address the concerns of affected landowners. It was the third time the Kohistanis suspended the construction of the much-trumpeted project.
Undersold
The jirga members on Sunday rejected the per kanal rate of Rs700,000 fixed by the government as compensation. The tribal elders claimed the market price of land in Kohistan is between Rs3.5 to Rs4 million per kanal.
They said Kohistanis are sacrificing their precious land and the graves of their ancestors so the government can steer the country out of the existing energy crisis. But in return, the government is not willing to accept their charter of demands, said elders.
Unless Wapda announces compensation in accordance with market rates, provides job quotas for locals and gives re-assimilation facilities in addition to signing a written agreement for the 18 points of their charter of demands, the jirga will not allow construction companies to resume work. They also warned Wapda workers and construction companies to halt surveys in the area, threatening to go to any extent to protect their rights.
The jirga was addressed by MPA Abdul Sattar, Malik Qadam Khan, Shamsur Rehman Shams, Malik Said Ameer, Noor Nabi Shah, Zarbuland Khan, Malik Zarnosh Khan and others.
PM Nawaz Sharif had inaugurated the DHPP on June 25 this year. On this occasion the villagers protested for their concerns but they were not allowed to meet the PM. Sharif, however, assured the villagers in his speech that their demands would be met and the area will soon see a new era of development.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2014.
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