GILGIT: The protest sit-in being held in Chilas for the rights of families affected by the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam and implementation of their 31-point charter of demands entered its second day, on Monday.

In Islamabad, a high-level meeting decided to form a high-level committee, which will visit the area in a couple of days to have first-hand knowledge of the protesters’ grievances so that action could be taken on their demands.

The meeting was presided over by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam.

The protesters refused to call off the sit-in and extended their deadline for Wapda, which they had earlier set for the authorities to implement their demands, by two more days.

The protest, being held by thousands near Karakoram Highway and led by local religious scholars, enjoys the support of GB assembly members from Dia­mer including Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Anwar and Adviser on Forest Shah Baig.

The demonstrators refused to hold negotiations with the local administration, saying they will only talk to the ministerial committee set by the federal government.

The protesters have been demanding the implementation of the agreement reached between them and federal ministerial committees in 2010 and 2015.

Speaking at the sit-in, Mr Anwar and Mr Shah Baig assured the demonstrators of their full support and held Wapda officials responsible for the agitation.

The head of the protest movement, Maulana Hazratullah called upon Wapda to stop construction work until their demands were met.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2025