Residents Protest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Over Unfulfilled WAPDA Promises
In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, residents of Ranowali and Dubair areas in the Lower Kohistan district protested by blocking the Karakoram Highway. The protest was against the Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan (WAPDA) for not fulfilling a 2022 agreement regarding road reconstruction and water supply.
The blockade took place on Friday, causing major problems for people traveling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB). Former provincial minister Malik Aurangzeb said protesters chanted slogans against WAPDA in the Dubair area. He stated, “The WAPDA chairman signed an agreement with us in a jirga (assembly of leaders) two years ago for reconstructing 28 km of Dubair Road and 6 km of Ranowali Road and for supplying potable water to us, but no progress has been made.”
Malik Salahuddin, another speaker, highlighted that during a 2022 meeting with victims of the Dubair Khawar project, the WAPDA chairman had pledged to repair two local roads and restore drinking water systems damaged by flash floods with the help of the World Bank. However, these promises have yet to be fulfilled.
During the same protest, Dubair Bala village council chairman Juma Shah Jallai stated that WAPDA must ensure the safety of individuals living downstream from the Dubair Khawar hydropower project. He said, “The commissioner of Hazara division has invited us to Abbottabad for talks, but we want him to speak to us on our soil in the presence of all stakeholders.”
Earlier, local governments, including tehsil, village, and neighborhood councils, protested against the provincial government for not releasing development funds since the establishment of local government in the province about three years ago. The government services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face several problems related to outdated infrastructure and insufficient facilities. Service centers and government officers lack the basic resources to effectively serve the public.
Doubts Revealed
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in Pakistan, located in the northwestern part of the country. It shares borders with Afghanistan.
WAPDA -: WAPDA stands for Water and Power Development Authority. It is a government organization in Pakistan responsible for managing water and electricity resources.
Karakoram Highway -: The Karakoram Highway is a major road that connects Pakistan and China. It is one of the highest paved roads in the world and is important for travel and trade.
Lower Kohistan -: Lower Kohistan is a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is known for its mountainous terrain and scenic beauty.
Malik Aurangzeb -: Malik Aurangzeb is a former minister in Pakistan. He is a political leader who has been involved in various government roles.
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in northern Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful mountains and is a popular destination for tourists.