DIAMER: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday pledged to resolve the long-standing resettlement issues faced by communities affected by the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam if his party forms the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan following the June 7 elections.
Addressing an election rally in Diamer, Bilawal said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had made significant progress on the dam project during its previous tenure. He claimed that if the government of President Asif Ali Zardari had not been voted out in 2013, the dam would already have been completed.
Bilawal expressed regret that people displaced by the project were still waiting for their resettlement concerns to be addressed. He promised that a PPP government in Gilgit-Baltistan would immediately work to complete the pending resettlement process after the elections.
He also urged the federal government to accelerate construction of the dam, describing it as essential not only for the people of Diamer but for Pakistan as a whole. Stressing the project’s importance, Bilawal said no other development initiative currently held greater significance for the country than the Diamer-Bhasha Dam.
Taking a light-hearted swipe at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bilawal referred to the premier’s reputation for rapid project execution, commonly known as “Shehbaz speed”, and asked him to demonstrate the same urgency in Diamer by ensuring swift completion of the dam.
The issue of compensation and resettlement has remained a contentious one in the region. In April, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam land-affected committee, operating under the “Huqooq Do, Dam Banao” (Give Rights, Build the Dam) movement, staged sit-ins in Chilas and Thore for several days. Protesters demanded implementation of a 2025 agreement regarding compensation for those affected by the dam project, along with other commitments.
During his speech, Bilawal also called on voters in Gilgit-Baltistan to elect a “jiyala” chief minister, arguing that the PPP was the only party genuinely committed to protecting the interests of the region’s people and enjoying their trust.
He said the June 7 elections would provide residents of Gilgit-Baltistan an opportunity to demonstrate their political strength and elect a PPP-led government. Bilawal credited President Asif Ali Zardari with giving the region its present identity, noting that it was previously known as the Northern Areas.
Referring to ongoing regional challenges, Bilawal maintained that Pakistan needed a government capable of confidently representing the country on the international stage. He argued that the PPP was uniquely positioned to do so because it represented the aspirations of ordinary Pakistanis.
The PPP chairman urged residents of Gilgit-Baltistan to remain steadfast during difficult times and support the formation of a PPP government. He also expressed confidence that similar political outcomes would emerge nationwide in the next general elections.
Reaffirming his support for securing constitutional rights for Gilgit-Baltistan, Bilawal said the federal government must recognise that Pakistan’s prosperity was closely tied to the prosperity of the region and its people.
He further promised that PPP-backed public-private partnership initiatives would help Gilgit-Baltistan not only meet its own energy needs but also generate enough power to supply other parts of the country.
Bilawal said the PPP had never relied on complaints despite facing major political hardships. Referring to the execution of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and the imprisonment of President Zardari, he said the party had always focused on fighting for its rights rather than dwelling on grievances. He urged supporters to back the PPP, promising that their trust would not be misplaced.
The PPP chairman also criticised the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying rival parties appeared anxious during the election campaign. He remarked that while money might influence politics elsewhere, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan were honourable and could not be bought.
Bilawal further claimed that many development projects undertaken by provincial governments across Pakistan had only been possible because of reforms introduced during President Zardari’s tenure. He specifically highlighted the 18th Constitutional Amendment and the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, arguing that these measures provided provinces with greater financial resources and autonomy.
Meanwhile, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari also addressed a separate election rally in the region. She urged voters to support the PPP, describing the party’s election symbol, the arrow, as a representation of rights, empowerment, hope for the underprivileged and democratic values.
Backing her brother’s vision for Gilgit-Baltistan, Aseefa said a PPP government would prioritise opportunities for young people through quality educational institutions, information technology parks, improved internet services and employment initiatives.
She added that the party wanted every young person in Gilgit-Baltistan to have access to a brighter future, quality healthcare and education, ensuring improved living standards for communities across the region.