GILGIT: The opposition leader in Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly Captain retired Mohammad Shafi Khan on Saturday alleged that billions of rupees were embezzled in the land acquisition process of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.

He alleged that GB Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and his blue-eyed officials were involved in financial scandal. According a press release issued here on Saturday, Mr Shafi appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to order investigation into the scam.

He said construction of dams in Pakistan was necessary to overcome water shortage.

The opposition leader accused GB chief minister of committing corruption of billions of rupees in the name of land compensation to the dam-affected people.

He said if the embezzled funds were recovered from the accused, there would be no need of more funds for completion of the project.

He said apex court should take suo motu notice of the matter and constitute an investigation team to probe the matter. He said GB people were ready to contribute to the construction of the dam.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2018