The ongoing protest and sit-in at the construction site of the Dubair Dam in the Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has now entered its 44th consecutive day. Local residents, led by the Dubair Dam Affectees Committee, continue their peaceful demonstration, voicing strong opposition to the project due to unmet demands and concerns over its impact on their lives and environment.
Core Demands of the Protesting Communities
At the heart of this prolonged agitation are several critical demands that the protesters say have been ignored by the authorities. The committee is calling for fair compensation and a proper resettlement plan for all families whose homes and lands will be submerged by the dam's reservoir. Furthermore, they are demanding that job opportunities be guaranteed for local youth in the construction and subsequent operation phases of the project.
Protesters have also raised significant environmental and social concerns. They fear the dam will drastically alter the local ecosystem and displace communities without adequate rehabilitation. The sit-in, which began over a month ago, has seen participation from men, women, and children, highlighting the deep-rooted anxiety within the community.
Official Response and Stalled Negotiations
Despite the persistence of the protest, the response from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and other relevant government bodies has been described by the protesters as insufficient. While there have been some dialogues, the affectees committee reports that no concrete agreement or written assurances have been provided to address their grievances.
The committee's leadership has stated that their protest will remain peaceful but firm. They have vowed to continue the sit-in until their legitimate demands are met in a transparent manner. This stalemate has brought attention to the often-overlooked human cost of large-scale infrastructure development in remote regions.
Broader Implications for Development Projects
This 44-day standoff at the Dubair Dam site underscores a recurring challenge in Pakistan's development landscape: balancing national infrastructure needs with the rights and welfare of local populations. The protest highlights the critical need for inclusive planning, prior consent, and clear benefit-sharing mechanisms for communities directly impacted by such mega-projects.
As the sit-in stretches on, it serves as a potent reminder that sustainable development cannot proceed without addressing the fundamental concerns of those who are most directly affected. The resolution of this conflict will likely set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in future projects across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and beyond.
