PESHAWAR: A representative jirga of people affected by Mohmand Dam on Thursday urged the federal government to pay compensation and fulfil other commitments made with the tribesmen in the agreement for acquiring land for the project.
Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, the elders led by Haji Irfan Khan and Haji Mulla Jan said they had provided their land at cheaper rate with a national zeal but the government failed to fulfil its commitment with the landowners.
They urged the government to materialise its promise as per the agreement including compensation for minerals and forests, jobs, award of contracts to local contractors and civic facilities.
“We held several meetings with the local administration, Wapda authorities and elected representatives but our demands are yet to be met,” they lamented.
They said since the start of work on the dam the local population had been suffering due to power cuts, closure of link roads etc.
They said the dam had also caused shortage of fodder as their animals were not allowed to enter the project area for grazing.
Sharing further details, they said the local administration was also a stakeholder in the process but it was least concerned about resolving their demands.
The construction firm, they alleged, was also violating the agreement by damaging their agricultural land, which was forcing the poor farmers to leave the area.
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2021
