ISLAMABAD, Feb 4: The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has appealed to the World Bank not to provide funds for the construction of Bhasha dam unless its name was changed to Diamer and the royalty given to the people of Gilgit and Baltistan.

Speaking at a press conference, JKLF acting chairman Hafiz Anwar Smavi on Saturday said “If our concerns are ignored it could result in a disaster.” He said any move against the demand of the people of the region could affect the Kashmir freedom movement.

He asked the government to unconditionally release JKLF chairman Amanullah Khan and other workers otherwise their protest movement could further intensify.

Mr Smavi said they were not opposed to the construction of the dam but wanted that the government should change the name and give the royalty to the people of the Northern Areas.

He said Gilgit and Baltistan would submerge in water after construction of the dam. Bhasha, he added, is a small village which would not be affected by the dam.

Meanwhile, a delegation of JKLF met their leader Amanullah Khan in Adiala Jail on Saturday.

The delegation consisted of Sardar Aftab, Manzoor Ahmad Khan, Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan, Hafiz Mumtaz Ahmad and others. Speaking to the delegation, Mr Khan said the government had committed a big mistake by baton charging and arresting the JKLF workers who were protesting against the dam peacefully. He said it was their inalienable right to fight for their rights.

“If the people of Sindh and NWFP can protest against the Kalabagh dam, we also have the right to do the same,” Mr Khan said.