PoK residents hold protests against China and Pakistan opposing construction of dams on Neelam and Jhelum – Defence News of India

SOURCE: TIMES NOW

Pakistan protests, have broken out in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) against the illegal construction of dams on Neelam and Jhelum rivers. A mega protest rally was held on Monday and residents stepped out in huge numbers to condemn the construction of dams on Neelum and Jhelum rivers and Kohala Hydropower project.

The protestors also highlighted the environmental damage that could be caused by the dams being constructed by Pakistan and China. A campaign was launched on social media with the hashtag – #SaveRiversSaveAJK.

As angry protestors took to streets, they also questioned under what treaties China and Pakistan were constructing dams on these rivers. The group also claimed that Islamabad and Beijing were violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions by occupying rivers.

“We should march towards Kohala project and continue protest there until it does not stop,” one of the protestors was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

New Delhi: Massive anti-China, as well as anti-Pakistan protests, have broken out in Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) against the illegal construction of dams on Neelam and Jhelum rivers. A mega protest rally was held on Monday and residents stepped out in huge numbers to condemn the construction of dams on Neelum and Jhelum rivers and Kohala Hydropower project.

The protestors also highlighted the environmental damage that could be caused by the dams being constructed by Pakistan and China. A campaign was launched on social media with the hashtag – #SaveRiversSaveAJK.

As angry protestors took to streets, they also questioned under what treaties China and Pakistan were constructing dams on these rivers. The group also claimed that Islamabad and Beijing were violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions by occupying rivers.

“We should march towards Kohala project and continue protest there until it does not stop,” one of the protestors was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

A Chinese company will be constructing hydropower plant at a whopping 2.4 billion USD

The protests may be viewed on the backdrop that recently, an agreement was signed between a Chinese company and the governments of Pakistan and China for construction of 1,124-megawatt hydropower project in Kohala costing 2.4 billion dollars.

The project, under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has been awarded to Kohala Hydropower Company Ltd (KHCL). The company is a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC).Amid a global outrage against China over its expansionist designs, Beijing has been signalling its closeness to its ‘all-weather’ ally Pakistan. Islamabad too has been crippling under a pressure from the global community over its support to terrorism and is even staring at a probable blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The blacklisting may choke all the possible means for Pakistan to seek funding from global financial institutions, a much-needed dose help revive its dwindling economy.