Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan

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sameeta ahmed

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Feb 23, 2010, 1:05:54 AM2/23/10
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From: South Asia List <internati...@mail.democracyinaction.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 10:03 PM
Subject: Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
To: sa...@list.internationalrivers.org


Dam Troubles
The News (Pakistan)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=225218

Although only in its very early stages, the building of Bhasha dam appears fraught with difficulty, death and disruption. The police fired on protesters in Chilas who were angry at the way in which those affected by the building of the new - and essential - dam were being treated. They were demanding a share of the royalties generated by the dam, an increase in the compensation awarded to them and resolution of the border dispute between Gilgit-Baltistan and NWFP. Two protesters died in the firing, others were injured and the local populace displayed their displeasure by burning down the offices of the assistant commissioner, the superintendent of police and two police checkpoints. They also burned government vehicles and blocked Karakoram Highway in both directions for several hours ? and all this before work on the dam has got into top gear. Paramilitary forces and police reinforcements have been sent to 'stabilise' the situation.

The usual 'probe' has been ordered by the prime minister who also announced compensation for those wounded and for the families of those killed. Yet another committee has been constituted headed by the minister for water and power to determine the level of compensation for the affectees of Diamir-Basha dam and - as usual - we will hear no more of the matter until the next incident in which lives are lost, government offices and vehicles burned and the principal road trade route to China is blocked. This is a project essential to our economic growth and development and has been 'in the pipeline' for over a decade. That there are still serious and far-from-resolved issues that affect the lives of thousands of local people is an indication of just how ill-prepared those responsible for the advancement and groundwork associated with the project have been. The issues that produced violence, death and destruction in Chilas are far - perhaps years - from being resolved. The work on the dam is inevitably going to be interrupted time and again as long as they remain so, valuable time and money will be lost and will anybody ever be held accountable? Most certainly not.
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Sameeta Ahmed
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Member, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Pakistan National Committee,
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture,
NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Abbottabad Campus
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Cell: +92-345-290-4100
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Aimal Khan

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Feb 23, 2010, 1:23:52 AM2/23/10
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please find below the press release for your info
 
aimal
 
 
Pakistan Network for Rivers, Dams and People (PNRDP)
Press release
Brutal state violence and murder of Diamer/Basha dam effectees
Islamabad, February 18, 2010 Pakistan Network for River, Dams and People (PNRDP) condemn the brutal act of state violence against the innocent people of diamer/Basha dam effectees staging a peaceful demonstration at Chillas today resulting into the violent death of at least three people and many injured.
The largest project of Pakistan Diamer/Basha dam is controversial from the very beginning.  No any compensation has been extended to the effectees as yet. According to a private report the construction work on the site of diamer/Basha dam has to start in 2010 and WAPDA has to compensate the effecties before physical work gets started  but WAPDA is continuously  ignoring the rights of the effectees at chillas. Resultantly, there has been a complete lack of trust between the people of the area and the administration because Neither the local people were consulted in developing restatement plan and compensation package nor their demands were reflective in it. 
 Due to these concerns coupled with the imposition of section 4 that denies the residents to construct their homes, effectees were gathered to demonstrate in front of WAPDA office at Chilas.
According to the people of the area, the construction work of Diamer/Basha dam has already been started whilst no step taken to resolve effectees concerns. The administration has been, however, telling the people that the construction shall begin after 10 years.
To raise these issues in a collective way, people staged a demonstration in front of WAPDA office at chillas today morning. The administration could not bear these collective demonstrations and instead of peaceful talks to resolve issues, as demanded by the people, they used police/FC force and opened fire on innocent people.
PNRDP demands to arrest responsible murderers and punish them as well as compensate the survivors. PNRDP also demands to pay immediate attention to the demands of the dams- effectees and Locals should be consulted, and taken into confidence and their genuine demands should be taken care of to give them a chance to lead peaceful life on their own land.

 
Best Regards,




Aimal Khan
cell ++(92-300) 8599340
email: aim...@yahoo.com



From: sameeta ahmed <sameet...@gmail.com>
To: earth-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tue, February 23, 2010 11:05:54 AM
Subject: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
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PFF

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Feb 23, 2010, 2:26:17 AM2/23/10
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Dear Aimal Khan,
 
First of all I will congrates to you and entire team of SUNGI that you are supporting the deprived and suppressed communities of Pakistan and supporting them in terms of getting their rights. The incident occurs with the  Diamer/Basha dam affected people is condemnable act did by the state authorities. This is not new phenomena in Pakistan, it’s happening since last more than 60 years. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has initiated a new discussion in Pakistan that Dams are not the solutions of problems but impacts of dams are most critical on the economic, environmental as well as social conditions of local people. None of the government has proper plan to compensate or rehabilitate to dam affected people, so for from our point of view, no more dams are needed. On the behalf of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum we will support the struggle of dam affected people as well as SUNGI,s initiatives.
 
Regards,
 
Mohammad Ali Shah
 
Chiarperson
 
PAKISTAN FISHERFOLK FORUM [PFF]
Sachal Hall, Jamait Market, Ibahim Hyderi,
Bin Qasim Town, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-213-5092862-5090543-5090925
Fax: 0213-5090940 
E-mail: pakistanf...@hotmail.com
pakistanf...@yahoo.com
fisher...@yahoo.com
Website: www.pff.org.pk



 

Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:23:52 -0800
From: aim...@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
To: earth-...@googlegroups.com

Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.

ntu...@gmail.com

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Feb 23, 2010, 2:22:14 AM2/23/10
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Dear

Here is attachment of protest demo in Karachi against the killing of Bhasha Dam victims and the danger of devastating affect of artificial lake formation in Gujal due to blockage of river Hunza.

Nasir Mansoor

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone using my Telenor Persona connection


From: sameeta ahmed <sameet...@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:05:54 +0500
Subject: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
IMG00268-20100221-1458.jpg
IMG00267-20100221-1457.jpg

sameeta ahmed

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Feb 23, 2010, 2:32:40 AM2/23/10
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What is the status of the Diamer-Bhasha dam EIA, which I hear has been submitted to the EPA in Isl?
Does anyone know its public hearing schduele?
Is anyone preared to attend and present there to challenge the dam?

Sameeta.

Aimal Khan

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Feb 23, 2010, 4:30:45 AM2/23/10
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thanks
 
Best Regards,




Aimal Khan
cell ++(92-300) 8599340
email: aim...@yahoo.com



From: PFF <pakistanf...@hotmail.com>
To: earth-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tue, February 23, 2010 12:26:17 PM
Subject: RE: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan

Nizamuddin Nizamani

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Feb 23, 2010, 4:35:05 AM2/23/10
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Dear Aimal khan;
 
Thanks fo rthe information
 
Regards

--- On Tue, 2/23/10, Aimal Khan <aim...@yahoo.com> wrote:

yasir ~يا سر

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Feb 23, 2010, 4:49:03 AM2/23/10
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Request:

Please send thank you messages only to the person concerned (Aimal),
not to everyone on the list. This is good list practice. Thank you.

Yasir

PFF

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Feb 24, 2010, 4:46:50 AM2/24/10
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Dear Aimal Khan,

 

SUNGI,

 

Subject:           Invitation to Participate in the Historical Long March for the Restoration of Indus River and Rehabilitation of Indus Delta on 2nd to 14th March 2010, from Kharo Chaan  to Almanzar Jamshoro

 

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum believes that water is a basic human right, and not a commodity for earning profit or commercial ventures. It is a common natural resource and integral part of the heritage of all peoples, a common property right, particularly of the indigenous peoples and communities. Any violation of this fundamental right whether in the name of resource management or private profit is a serious crime against the humanity as well as the nature.

 

In Pakistan, we rely on our rivers for drinking water, irrigation, aquatic habitat, fisheries, energy generation, navigation, recreation and simply the natural beauty they bring to our environment. Pakistan government and its Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) have been building dams on River Indus and continuously diversions on upstream of the once mighty river.

 

The ambitious plan of water resources development in Pakistan envisages in vision 2025 is a clear indication that whatever the water comes in rivers will be diverted and utilized upstream. These policy decisions, which are politically rooted, would have even future serious implications for the poor and voiceless deltaic communities of Sindh province. 

 

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum is going to organize a historical Long March for the restoration of Indus River and Rehabilitation of Indus Delta, on 2nd March, from Kharo Chaan to Almanzar Jamshoro and  will celebrate 14th March an international Rivers Day. PFF is inviting to all son of the soils, either who are growers, peasants, labors or Fishers etc. will participate in the Long March, to pay their contribution  for the protection of natural resources for the future generations and restoration of Indus River and Rehabilitation of Indus Delta.

 

Theme of the Long March: Reclaim Our Rivers, Our Rights in 2010!  

 

  • Together, we will influence for better solutions to meet our water and energy needs than big, destructive dams
  • Together, we will raise our voices to reclaim our rivers and our rights
  • Together, we will raise our voices for “no more dams, no more diversions and no more cuts on Indus River.”
  • Together, we will demand to release at least 35 Million Acre Feet (MAF) water downstream Kotri for protection of Indus Delta
  • Together, we will raise our voices for adopting new water paradigm and restoration of Indus River
  • Together, we will demand the decommission of existing dams on Indus River 

 

 

Regards,

 

 

 

Mohammad Ali Shah

Chairperson


PAKISTAN FISHERFOLK FORUM [PFF]
Sachal Hall, Jamait Market, Ibahim Hyderi,
Bin Qasim Town, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-213-5092862-5090543-5090925
Fax: 0213-5090940 
E-mail: pakistanf...@hotmail.com
pakistanf...@yahoo.com
fisher...@yahoo.com
Website: www.pff.org.pk



 

Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:23:52 -0800
From: aim...@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
To: earth-...@googlegroups.com

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Zubaida Birwani

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Feb 24, 2010, 8:04:19 AM2/24/10
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DAY OF ACTION

Pakistan Network for Rivers Dams and People (PNRDP) in collaboration with Trust for Conservation of Coastal Resources (TCCR)   is jointly organizing dialogue to mark DAY of Action on International Rivers Day on National Resettlement Policy and water Power project on Indus on 5th, March 2010, at VNG Training CSSP office, Qasiqabad Hyderabad at 3.00 p.m.

Representatives from Political parties, Civil Society and Media will participant in the event.  

I would like to invite you to participant in the said event.

 

Best Regards,

Zubeda Birwani  

Convener PNRDP Sindh /Executive Director

Trust for Conservation of Coastal Resources



sameeta ahmed

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Feb 24, 2010, 9:15:08 AM2/24/10
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Thank you Ms. Birwani,
Is it possible to:

- have this event to be broadcasted on the internet live
? its called live streaming, if your tech ppl could look into that.
Yasir Hussain on this group can also perhaps offer advice.

- send this group any digital material/literature/reports you have in relation to the topic? we are starting to collect pdf's for our digital database.

thanks, S.

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Mushtaq Rajpar

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Feb 24, 2010, 11:52:02 PM2/24/10
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Zubeda,
thanks for invitation, CSSP is a good place to have such interactive sessions.
 
Last sunday i visited the place, met with a good group of young male and female. its called Voice of New Generation, i believe its important to engage new generation on such important issues.
 
I regret to inform you that i won't be able to participate due to prior engagement here in Karachi.
 
Regards,
Mushtaque Rajpar
 
Mushtaque Rajpar
Karachi, Sindh,
E-mail mra...@yahoo.com


Sent: Wed, February 24, 2010 7:15:08 PM
Subject: Re: DAY OF ACTION

sameeta ahmed

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Feb 25, 2010, 5:38:47 AM2/25/10
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Thank you Mushtaq,
can we please have any contact info for the group -Voice of New Generation- that you mentioned?
it would be nice to have them on the gorup.
regards,
sameeta.

Mushtaq Rajpar

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Feb 25, 2010, 7:12:32 AM2/25/10
to earth-...@googlegroups.com, Akbar CSSP Hyd, Noor Bajeer, Sajid Channa, Kashif Siddiqui
The contact person for this group is a young very dynamic and energetic person Mr. Akbar Dars, the head of program is Noor Bajir.  Akbar is also newly elected President of  Liberal Forum of Pakistan, Hyderabad Chapter. I also appreciate young team of Liberal Forum in Hyderabad, specially Kashif Siddiqui and Sindh Chapter President Sajid Channa sahb.
 
Voice of New Generation is a project of Hyderabad civic group called Civil Society Support Program (CSSP)
 
Akbar's e mail is ak...@cssp.org.pk
Noor Bajir no...@cssp.org.pk
 
Regards,
 
Mushtaque Rajpar
Karachi, Sindh,
E-mail mra...@yahoo.com

Sent: Thu, February 25, 2010 3:38:47 PM

PFF

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Mar 1, 2010, 3:22:50 AM3/1/10
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Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum is going to organize a historical Long March for the restoration of Indus River and Rehabilitation of Indus Delta, on 2nd March, from Kharo Chaan  and will end on 14th March at Almanzar Jamshoro and  will celebrate 14th March an international Rivers Day. PFF is inviting to all son of the soils, either who are growers, peasants, labors or Fishers etc will  participate in the Long March and   pay their contribution  for the protection of natural resources of Sindh for the future generations and restoration of Indus River and Rehabilitation of Indus Delta.

Schedule of Long March
   
Date Venue Lunch  Night stay Distance 
2-Mar From Kahro Chaan to Baghaan    At Baghaan  23 KM
3-Mar From Baghaan to Buhaara Gharhoo Buhhaara 25 KM
4-Mar From Buhhara to Late Mirpur Sakroo Late 23 KM
5-Mar From Late to Sultanabad Gharoo Sultanabad 22 KM
6-Mar Sultanabad to Makli Gujoo Makli 22KM
7-Mar Makli to Saeedpur Thatta Saeedpur 22KM
8-Mar Saeedpur to Mahmood wah Daroo Moree Mahmood Wah 26 KM
9-Mar Mahmood wah to Shah Karim Jhook Shah Karim 27 Km
10-Mar Shah Karim to Pusya Goth Abadgar Sugar Mill Pusya village 24 KM
11-Mar Pusya village to Saree Tando Mohd Khan Saree 28 KM
12-Mar Saree to Fateh Chowk Noonari stop Fateh Chowk 20 KM
13-Mar fateh Chowk to Qasimabad Hyder Chwok Qasimabad 15 KM
14-Mar Qasimabad to Almanzar jamshoro      


PAKISTAN FISHERFOLK FORUM [PFF]
Sachal Hall, Jamait Market, Ibahim Hyderi,
Bin Qasim Town, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-213-5092862-5090543-5090925
Fax: 0213-5090940 
E-mail: pakistanf...@hotmail.com
pakistanf...@yahoo.com
fisher...@yahoo.com
Website: www.pff.org.pk



 

From: pakistanf...@hotmail.com
To: earth-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:26:17 +0000


 
 
Dear Aimal Khan,
 
First of all I will congrates to you and entire team of SUNGI that you are supporting the deprived and suppressed communities of Pakistan and supporting them in terms of getting their rights. The incident occurs with the  Diamer/Basha dam affected people is condemnable act did by the state authorities. This is not new phenomena in Pakistan, it’s happening since last more than 60 years. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has initiated a new discussion in Pakistan that Dams are not the solutions of problems but impacts of dams are most critical on the economic, environmental as well as social conditions of local people. None of the government has proper plan to compensate or rehabilitate to dam affected people, so for from our point of view, no more dams are needed. On the behalf of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum we will support the struggle of dam affected people as well as SUNGI,s initiatives.
 
Regards,
 
Mohammad Ali Shah
 
Chiarperson
 
PAKISTAN FISHERFOLK FORUM [PFF]
Sachal Hall, Jamait Market, Ibahim Hyderi,
Bin Qasim Town, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-213-5092862-5090543-5090925
Fax: 0213-5090940 
E-mail: pakistanf...@hotmail.com
pakistanf...@yahoo.com
fisher...@yahoo.com
Website: www.pff.org.pk



 

Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:23:52 -0800
From: aim...@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters killed in Pakistan
To: earth-...@googlegroups.com

Hotmail: Powerful Free email with security by Microsoft. Get it now.

Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now.

Mushtaq Rajpar

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Mar 1, 2010, 4:05:30 AM3/1/10
to earth-...@googlegroups.com, pakistanf...@hotmail.com, Hussain Jarwar II, Mumtaz Halepoto, Aamir Raza, Ghous Jatoi, Zamir Ghumro, Amar Sindhu, Amar Guriro, Aasiya K Kazi, Cyril Almeida, Iqbal Tareen, Dr Valeed Shaikh, Abrar Kazi, Irfana Mallah, Zulfi Shah, Anjum Niaz, Zubeida Mustafa, Humaira Rahman, gra...@education.ucsb.edu, jami Chandio, Naeem Talpur, bhutto jawaid, fayaz Ahmad Naich
Dear friends at PPF
 
I endorse the agenda of this march, i strongly believe that only mobilization, activism and organization can make difference in the lives of the people. I fully support this long and would join you all folks at some stage during the Long March
 
Mushtaque Rajpar
Karachi, Sindh,
E-mail mra...@yahoo.com



From: PFF <pakistanf...@hotmail.com>
To: pakistanf...@hotmail.com; earth-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Mon, March 1, 2010 1:22:50 PM
Subject: Schedule of Long March by PFF for Restoration of Indus River
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