Massive protests continue in PoK against construction of dams by China, Pakistan

Sep 08, 2020

Muzaffarabad (PoK), Sep 08 (ANI): Massive protests and a torch rally were held in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the night of September 07 to oppose the mega dams to be constructed by Chinese companies on Neelum-Jhelum River. The protesters hailed ''Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao” (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) Committee'' chanted slogans like "Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do" (let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live). The rally was attended by hundreds of residents from the city and other parts of PoK. Locals of PoK are continuously protesting against these dams construction Recently, Pakistan and China signed agreements to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower Projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. The Kohala Hydroelectric Power Project which will be built on Jhelum River is roughly 7 km upstream of Azad Pattan Bridge in the Sudhanoti District of PoK and 90 km from Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The project expected to be completed by the year 2026 will be sponsored by China Three Gorges Corporation, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Silk Road Fund. What really irks locals is high Chinese presence in the area, massive construction of dams, and river diversions threatening their very existence. Pakistan and China are jointly plundering the natural resources of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan in the wake of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The resentment in the occupied territories are high against Pakistan and China.