Muzaffarabad is the capital city of Azad Jammu Kashmir
ISLAMABAD: Muzaffarabad is the capital city of Azad Jammu Kashmir. It is surrounded by two rivers, namely Neelum and Jhelum. Domel is the place where the two rivers merge and move towards south and after Mangla waters of the two rivers enter Pakistan thus making its lands arable. Kashmiris have always sacrificed their lands and homes while generously contributing to the prosperity of Pakistan. Mangla Dam is its most significant example.
A hydroelectric project named Neelum-Jhelum was launched at Joora in the Neelum valley directing water flow towards the Jhelum River to produce electricity from a powerhouse at Chattar, near Kohala.
The River Neelum from Joora to Domel, Muzaffarabad, is gradually drying up. Water flow is slowing down thus converting the river into a narrow nullah.
I requested both the Azad Jammu Kashmir and Pakistani governments to change the design of the Neelum-Jhelum Project so that the natural beauty of Muzaffarabad and its surrounding areas is protected. At least fifty per cent of the water of Neelum should be reserved for Muzaffarabad and its residents.
Syed Muzammil Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2018.
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