SWABI: Residents of Swabi demonstrated in front of the main gate of Tarbela Dam on Wednesday, demanding free electricity units in return for sacrificing their lands for construction of the biggest reservoir of Pakistan.

Da Haq Awaz, a local welfare body, gave the call for the protest.

The body has launched a struggle for realising the rights of Swabi people, especially provision of free electricity. Its leaders have been holding meetings in different villages educating the people that it was their right to get 300 free power units because they had given 40,000 kanals of land for the dam construction.

The protesters reached the Pehur Chowk on Topi-Tarbela Road from different villages, then marched to cricket ground in front of the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, and later reached the first entry gate of the dam, where a heavy contingent of police and Tarbela Dam security officials did not allow them to proceed further.

Dam authorities promise to end loadshedding in district

The protesters planned to gather in front of dam’s power house, a high security zone, but they were not allowed.

This was the first major protest after the construction of the Tarbela Dam in 1974, though protests were organised regularly at local level.

Addressing the protesters, Ehsanul Haq Bumkhelvi , president of the welfare body, said the elected people had failed to realise the people’s demand, leaving them to fight for their rights on their own.

“We have to create unity in our ranks and fight continuously to get our rights. During our struggle people will be arrested, FIRs will be registered against them, but they have to continue the fight for rights,” he vowed.

On this occasion, Fazal Khaliq, president of Utman Jirga, said free electricity was the right of Swabi people and they would not rest till they got their right.

Later, talks were held between the Tarbela Dam authorities and the protesters’ representatives.

Tarbela Dam chief engineer Naseem Khan, and Ihsanul Haq and Sayed Arif Shah led their respective teams at talks.

The two sides came up with a written agreement, which stipulated that there would be no loadshedding in the district from March 10 and that local people would be recruited in Tarbela Dam’s 5th extension project.

The two sides agreed to hold a second round of talks to decide on the matter of 300 free units.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2024