Land to be purchased at prescribed rates: official

Diamer-Bhasha dam

MANSEHRA: An official on Saturday assured the people of Kohistan whose land was being acquired for Diamer-Bhasha dam that the district administration would fix prices of their land in accordance with the formula set by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

Talking to a group of landowners led by Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Abdul Sattar Khan, Deputy Commissioner of Kohistan Fazle Khaliq said that he had summoned a meeting of all stakeholders, Wapda, Revenue Department and landowners on July 26 to announce the price-setting formula.

“The landowners would be satisfied once the Revenue Department announces the price formula of your land in presence of the representatives of Wapda,” said Fazle Khaliq.

In response to points raised by the landowners that payments of their land was delayed, he said that the money wouldn’t be paid unless until an agreement was reached between the landowners and Wapda.

“You should wait for the signing of the agreement with Wapda. As soon as the agreement is inked, the district administration would start payments,” he said.

He said the local people should extend cooperation to the survey teams in Kohistan.

The official said that Diamer-Bhasha dam would bring revolutionary changes in the lives of the people of Kohistan and would put the district on the path to development and prosperity.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Abdul Sattar said the people wanted market prices for their land and the Revenue Department should immediately complete the survey so that payment of the land could be made.

“The local people will
cooperate with the district
administration and Wapda,”
 he said.