Gilgit-Baltistan Faces Severe Electricity Crisis Despite Diamer Dam Project
The people of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) are enduring a severe electricity crisis despite having hydropower projects. The lack of electricity is severely affecting the livelihoods of local traders.
Assembly Member’s Concerns
During a recent PoGB assembly session, Engineer Anwar criticized the local administration for failing to provide adequate compensation and share of profits from the Diamer Dam Project. He highlighted that the mutual agreement made in 2010 has not been acted upon, and another committee has been formed without any results.
Environmental and Social Impacts
The Diamer Dam, located on the River Indus between Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer district in PoGB, has faced criticism for its environmental and social impacts. The construction has led to the displacement of local communities, loss of biodiversity, and adverse effects on the natural landscape.
Call for Action
Engineer Anwar emphasized the need for collective action to address these injustices. He urged the administration to provide compensation to the people affected by the dam’s construction.
Doubts Revealed
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in the northern part of Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
Electricity Crisis -: An electricity crisis means there is not enough electricity for everyone to use. This can cause problems like no lights, no fans, and no way to charge phones.
Diamer Dam -: The Diamer Dam is a big structure built to store water and generate electricity. It is supposed to help provide power to the region.
Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) -: This term refers to the part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region that is controlled by Pakistan. Some people believe it should be part of India.
Assembly member Engineer Anwar -: Engineer Anwar is a person who is part of the local government in Gilgit-Baltistan. He is speaking out about the problems caused by the Diamer Dam.
Local administration -: The local administration is the group of people who manage and make decisions for the area. They are supposed to help the community.
Compensation -: Compensation means giving something, like money, to people who have been hurt or lost something. In this case, it is for the people affected by the dam.
Displacement -: Displacement means moving people from their homes. The dam project has caused some people to lose their homes and land.
Ecological damage -: Ecological damage means harm to the environment, like plants, animals, and water. The dam has caused some of this damage.
Collective action -: Collective action means people working together to solve a problem. Engineer Anwar wants everyone to work together to help the affected people.
