Muzaffarabad protests against dam construction by China; anti-Pakistan slogans raised .

 

Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir on Monday evening saw organized protests and torch rallies against the illegal construction of Dams on the Neelum-Jhelum river by Chinese the companies. The protesters were heard chanting slogans against the Pakistani government and Chinese companies. Similar protests have been happening in the area since July this year.

 

The protest happened based on the events of 6th July, when the Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project with 700.7 megawatts of electricity capacity was awarded to Chinese companies namely China Three Gorges Corporation, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Silk Road Fund who are providing financial support for the project..

 

The residents are against the economic, environmental and demographic impact of major construction projects in the region. They have alleged that the Pakistan government and China have violated UN Security Council’s resolutions by occupying rivers.

 

 

Both countries have signed an agreement to build a 1,124 MW hydropower project in Kohala. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around $2.4 billion and is scheduled to be complete by 2026. The dam is being built as a part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC.