Alleged violation of agreement: Kohistan jirga threatens to stop power lines laying

MANSEHRA: The Muttahida Kohistan Jirga on Wednesday announced that it would not allow Wapda to lay 132kv and 432kv transmission lines from the Dubair Khawar Hydropower project to the Dasu Hydropower Project.

“We will not allow the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) to lay transmission lines until it honours its agreement with the people of Kohistan districts,” former MPA Maulana Asmatullah told a press conference in Pattan.

The Wapda chairman had signed an agreement with them to rebuild the Dubair, Ranolia, and Kiyal roads, which were washed away by the 2022 flash floods, he said, adding, However, the Wapda had deviated from its commitments.

Another former MPA, Maulana Dildar Ahmad said that under a 13-point agreement between locals and Wapda, the former had agreed not to obstruct the laying of transmission lines.“As Wapda has yet to fulfil its commitments, we will not allow it to pass transmission lines through Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas districts,” he added.

A local elder, Malik Salahuddin, accused Wapda of trying to create a law and order situation by forcibly installing transmission lines.“We are peaceful and do not wish to create a law and order situation. If Wapda wants to ensure the installation of transmission lines from Dasu Dam to Dubair Dam, it should first honour its commitments,” he stated.

Earlier this week, the Muttahida Kohistan Jirga resisted the attempts by Wapda and the police to lay the transmission lines between the Dubair Khawar and Dasu hydropower projects in the Pattan area.“We are prepared to address the situation and will not allow anyone to challenge the government’s writ,” said a press release issued by the Lower Kohistan police.