Hundreds of passengers and transporters remain stranded as Harban residents in Alto Kohistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, block the Karakoram highway (KKH) for a seventh day, demanding immediate and highest compensation for the land acquired for the Diamer-Basha Dam project.
The seated near Harban Nallah has cut the main route that unites Gilgit-Baltist (GB) with the rest of the country, creating severe shortage of food and medicine and leaving hundreds of trucks that transport immobilized products.
Witnesses said travelers are trapped on both sides of the road.
Protest leaders accuse Wapda and the administration of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa not honoring promises in compensation payments. “Our land was taken, but the rates were unfair and payments have been delayed for years,” said Niamat Khan, one of the organizers.
The officials of the administration of Kohistan and Wapda say that on RS3 billion it is due in total, with almost RS2 billion already transferred to the attached commissioner account. They insist that the rest will be released once legal formalities are completed, but protesters reject additional delays.
The blockade has increased vegetable prices such as onions and tomatoes, while transportation is redirected through the charges of rates of steep rates, worsening inflation in the fragile local economy. Merchants and transporters report great daily losses.
Civil society groups have criticized the silence of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, questioning the state order. “The authorities in GB and KP seem indifferent while people suffer,” said Mufti Kumail, a merchant in Gilgit.
Diamer Valley is particularly affected, and Darel and Tangir residents cannot travel to Chilas or Gilgit, paralyzing daily life and economic activity.
Protesters promise to continue the seated until their demands are met, while residents and merchants urge federal and provincial governments to negotiate and restore traffic on the strategic road.
