Grand Jirga convinces people to put off protest

MANSEHRA: People displaced by the Suki Kinari Dam project have postponed their sit-in at Ayub Bridge in Balakot. Mansehra residents demanding their due rights for rehabilitation, gave in to the recommendations of a grand jirga held the other day.

The jirga formed a new committee comprising representatives of the federal and provincial governments to resolve the issue surrounding the dispute. The grand jirga, though, decided to suspend construction work on the dam till the committee comes to decision.

Representing Suki Kinari Dam affectees, Ahmed Hussain Shah and Mazhar Qasim demanded that the government should pay the value of the land as per the agreement between the district administration and Suki Kinari Dam victims and stop construction work till the completion of the agreement.

Earlier, while briefing the jirga, Manshera DC Iqbal Hussain informed the representatives about the award, types of land, payments and details of the agreement.

Manseha District Nazim Said Ghulam, Gen (Retd) Ayaz Rana, PTI Divisional President Zar Gul Khan, former provincial minister Mazhar Shah, former MPA Mazhar Qasim, PTI Mansehra chapter president Babar Khan, ASP Arif Javed, officials of revenue department, army and Kaghan elders attended the Jirga.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2017.