The sit-in by those affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam lasted 42 days on March 28, 2025, in Chilas, Gilgit Baltistan (GB).
Under the “Huqooq Do, Dam Banao” (Ensure Rights, Build the Dam) banner, protesters demand action on their 31-point charter, but negotiations with the GB government and other stakeholders remain deadlocked. Construction on the dam’s periphery road and Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) offices has halted for 15 days, with no breakthrough.
Protest leader Maulana Hazratullah addressed thousands near the Karakoram Highway (KKH), braving harsh weather and Ramadan. “After 40 days, we see no progress—just delays and new committees,” he said. “We’ll end this only when our demands are met.” Organizers plan to ramp up protests after Eid, rallying support from political, religious, and civil society groups across GB.
Diamer-Bhasha Dam protest entered its 43rd day as #POGB puppet govt and other stakeholders failed to fulfill the demands of residents
'Huqooq Do, Dam Banao’ protest movement has gained public traction from across POGB & is expected to intensifyin coming days @wajahatgilgiti pic.twitter.com/YSk2aVDofG
— Shalija (@ShalijaDar) March 29, 2025Shabir Ahmed Qureshi, another key figure, highlighted a recent scare: five religious scholars supporting the protest survived a road accident near the dam site. “This mess stems from federal and GB government neglect,” he claimed. Maulana Aftab vowed, “We’ll stand firm and escalate post-Eid.”
The protesters’ charter seeks 80% royalty from the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and 30% from the Dassu Dam for GB, free electricity for the Diamer district, and discounted rates region-wide. They also demand compensation for 18,000 acres of acquired land, financial aid for 3,000 affected families, plots, jobs, and infrastructure like schools and hospitals.
Along with power-cuts, ongoing "Huqooq do dam banao tehreek' & other protests, now women have blocked highway in Gilgit, to protests against acute shortage of water in the region.
Pakistan is suppressing Gilgit Baltistan to facilitate its occupation.@SaraMirGilgity @ArfatKh101 pic.twitter.com/E1LrnQ0G3G
— Aftaab Mughal (@AftaabMughal_) March 26, 2025Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Amir Muqam, chairs a committee addressing various grievances. During a meeting on March 27 in Islamabad, he, along with ministers, WAPDA’s former Lt. Gen. Sajjad Ghani, and officials from Gilgit-Baltistan, reviewed the demands. He urged the protesters to engage in direct negotiations with his team.
