The Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) erupted into a massive protest when a torch rally was carried out in Muzaffarabad to oppose the mega dams to be constructed by Chinese firms on Neelum-Jhelum River.
Slogans of “Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao (Save River, Save Muzaffarabad) went up as the protestors chanted slogans like “Neelum-Jhelum behne do, humein zinda rehne do” (Let the Neelum and Jhelum rivers flow, let us live).
Over a thousand people attended the rally.
Pakistan has recently signed agreements with China to construct Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydropower projects in PoK.
It’s part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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.
Locals are irked that river diversions and massive construction of dams could threaten the existence of populace.
