Dam affectees end sit-in after successful talks

MANSEHRA: The sit-in staged in Balakot by the people whose land was acquired for 860 megawatts Suki Kinari hydropower project came to an end after almost 36 hours on Wednesday.

The development came in an important meeting attended by Deputy Commissioner Mansehra Ayaz Khan, District Nazim Sardar Said Ghulam, former MNA Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf, MPA from Balakot Mian Ziaur Rehman, former MPAs Mazhar Qasim and Ahmad Hussain Shah and Chinese representatives of company, SK hydro, and the affectees.

The meeting ended after marathon discussion of five hours. “The district administration noted the issues raised by protesters that came in its domain and it would also help address the issues related to federal government,” the deputy commissioner told reporters after the meeting.

He said that all issues related to labourers were addressed on the spot and they would be given wages and other incentives in accordance with national labour policy.

Ayaz Khan said the company working on the only energy sector project being executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would not enter the land which has yet to be acquired for the dam.