Pothoharis demand cancellation of 2002 WUC agreement

Islamabad: People of Pothohar led by PML-N leader and social activist Jahangir Akhtar on Wednesday started hunger strike for indefinite period at Kallar Syedan to get their due share in the Water User Charges (WUC) of the Mangla dam.

They say that people of Pothohar have equal right on the WUC of Mangla dam as that of the masses of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) because the dam is located between Pothohar and AJK.

Speaking to media at the hunger strike camp, Jahangir Akhtar said that we will not surrender our right under any circumstances as economic stability of the region is at stake.

He said that Government of Pakistan and Government of AJK had inked an agreement in 2002 for payment of WUC to AJK which must be cancelled and the funds generated under this head must be equally distributed among affectees of AJK and Pothohar.

The veteran social activist said that ministry of water and power has spent 10.20 billion rupees and sought another Rs 3.20 billion from federal government for compensation and rehabilitation of the people of AJK affected by the upraising of the dam but people of Pothohar have been neglected.

Many Kashmiris were paid before upraising but nothing has been done for compensation of people of Pothohar who lost their farms in the upraising. Pothoharis must enjoy equal rights and non-discriminatory treatment, he said.

Federal Government has not paid a penny to the affectees which is narrow-mindedness against which we would continue our hunger strike until our just demands are met, said Jahangir Akhtar.

He said that he would continue to express solidarity and help affectees of Mangla Dam upraising who have offered sacrifices for success of the country but lack voice in the corridors of power.

Government is bound to take care of the people who have sacrificed for the expansion of the water reservoir and awaiting financial assistance, resettlement and rehabilitation since long.