No compromise in Muzaffarabad residents' rights in accord for Kohala project

MIRPUR: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan on Monday said the government would soon sign a formal agreement with a private company for the construction of 1050 MW Kohala hydropower project.

Addressing participants of a sit-in held under the auspices of the Save the River Committee, Farooq Haider said there would be no compromise on the due rights of the people of Muzaffarabad, which would be taken care of in the agreement.

“We want to make the Government of Pakistan the guarantor of the gigantic project”, he added.

He said the Kohala project would be the property of AJK government as it would be handed over to it after 25 years in line with the proposed agreement.

Farooq Haider said the 1000 MW Neelam Jhelum Hydropower Project had started functioning recently and urged the Government of Pakistan to address the reservations of the people of Muzaffarabad regarding environmental issues due to it.

The prime minister said a mega water supply scheme was being launched keeping in view the 100 years’ water needs of the residents of Muzaffarabad.

Farooq Haider dispelled the impression that he paid any money to the protesters to hold protests as he remained part of their struggle. He urged the protestors to end their sit-in, assuring that he would spare no effort to protect their rights. He also asked them to call off the protest scheduled on April 16.