Muzaffarabad: – ‘Neelam-Jhelum behne do, hamein zinda rehne do’ (Let Neelam and Jhelum flow and let us live) and ‘Darya Bachao, Muzaffarabad Bachao’ (Save the sea and save Muzaffarabad) were the slogans during the strong protests held in Muzaffarabad by the citizens of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), against the projects being built by China. China is building projects on the Neelam and Jhelum rivers illegally with assistance from Pakistan. The locals held torch marches at night to protest against the Chinese projects. The locals gave angry reactions that the resistance will continue until the projects are scrapped. Locals had raised their voices against Pakistan and China, even in the past, but Pakistan is trying to suppress their voices. But the anger in the people of PoK is flaring up further.
Recently, Pakistan and China signed the agreement to build Azad Pattan and Kohala hydroelectric projects. These projects will be built on the Neelam and Jhelum river. 707.7 megawatt Azad Pattan hydroelectric project is a part of the Chinese scheme- China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). For this, the Chinese company has invested billions of dollars. At the same time, Kohala hydroelectric project will be built on the Jhelum River. Three Chinese companies have invested in this project. China and Pakistan have claimed that this project will be completed in 2026.
But the locals are claiming that the water in the Neelam and Jhelum rivers is being obstructed with these projects. As per the locals, this is a threat to the environment. The locals started protests on Monday night against the Chinese projects, accusing that China is trying to exploit them in connivance with Pakistan rulers. A large number of people from other parts of the PoK had reached Muzaffarabad to participate in the protests. The locals warned that the protests would continue till the Pakistan government cancels the concerned Chinese projects.
Discontent is increasing in the PoK population against the CPEC project envisaging billion-dollar investments. The locals are criticising that under the disguise of these projects, China is setting up bases in PoK along with Muzaffarabad and even Gilgit-Baltistan. At the same time, the locals are pointing out that China is trying to dangerously change the course of the rivers in these parts under the pretext of these projects. The locals have accused that these Chinese activities are a threat to their lives. At the same time, the locals have also accused China of looting the natural resources in this region.
People from Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh also have started protesting just like the people from PoK. Former Pakistan Ambassador Hussain Haqqani had accused that Pakistan is exploiting the people of Pakistan under the pretext of the CPEC. Whereas, India has bitterly opposed the Chinese CPEC projects by saying that PoK is an Indian territory. China has already expressed displeasure regarding the opposition to the CPEC project from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan provinces, along with PoK. China has reprimanded Pakistan that it should increase military deployment for the security of these projects. At the same time, China also suggested that the groups attacking these projects should be declared as terrorist organisations.
Meanwhile, on Monday, locals held protests against the load-shedding and the violation of human rights in Pakistan in the city of Dadyal in PoK. There is load-shedding, every day, by the Pakistan Power and Water Development Authority (WAPDA). WAPDA has been fleecing people for the last 70 years. The locals said that corruption is at its peak. The people have taken to the streets to protest against this. Two weeks ago, the PoK locals held demonstrations for this very reason. Whereas, last week, one of the agitators pulled down the Pakistan flag, where the Pakistan agencies arrested him. The locals have demanded his release.
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