GILGIT: Residents of Chilas town in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan staged a rally on Sunday, demanding what they called justice for those affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.

The protest, organised under the banner of “Haqooq Do, Dam Banao Tehreek” (Give Rights, Build the Dam Movement), saw a massive turnout, including dam affected people, youth organisations, religious scholars, lawyers, and political figures.

“This is a peaceful rally for the rights of those who sacrificed their land for the dam,” said Shabir Qureshi, a youth leader. “We are not against the government or the state. Our ancestors gave up their land for the country, and we are proud of that sacrifice.”

In solidarity with the protesters, traders in Chilas shut down their businesses, bringing commercial activity in the city to a standstill.

Speakers at the rally stressed while the people of Diamer had made significant sacrifices for the dam’s construction in the national interest, they were expecting their due favour from the government. “We want more employment opportunities to the local community, instead of other cities,” they said.

The protesters demanded the immediate release of the Household Resettlement Package (Chulha Package) for those yet to receive it and urged authorities to pay full compensation for their lands without further delay.

During the demonstration, a 31-point Charter of Demands was presented, with speakers reiterating that they were not opposing the dam’s construction but merely seeking their rightful compensation and benefits.

The protest rally also saw participants taking an oath to remain united and continue their struggle until their demands are met.

The district administration engaged in negotiations with the protesters, but the talks remained inconclusive. Demonstrators announced that they would continue their sit-in at Bab-e-Chilas until Monday to press the government to addressing their concerns.