Rehabilitation of Bhasha Dam project victims: Wapda finalising comprehensive policy

WAPDA, in consultation with the stakeholders, is finalising a comprehensive policy for resettlement and rehabilitation of the affectees for its future projects with the prime focus on Diamer Basha Dam Project.
This was stated by WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani while addressing the inaugural session of a 2-day Stakeholders' Seminar on Resettlement and Rehabilitation of the Affectees of Diamer Basha Dam Project, at WAPDA Administrative Staff College, here on Thursday.
Among a large number of notables from Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Ambassador Robin Raphel, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Rone Stroem, GB Health Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Leader of the Opposition in GB Legislative Assembly Bashir Ahmed, Ex-Member GB Legislative Assembly Syeda Fouzia Saleem Abbass, WAPDA Member (Water) Syed Raghib Abbas Shah and WAPDA Secretary Imtiaz Tajwar also attended the seminar.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that rehabilitation and resettlement component is as important in execution of a project as the engineering component is. Therefore, WAPDA is taking all the stakeholders into confidence to chalk out an action plan for the purpose, he added. The Chairman further said that all possible measures are being taken to have a positive impact on the life of the people who will be affected due to construction of Diamer Basha Dam Project.
Ambassador Robin Raphel and ADB Country Director Rone Stroem, addressing
the seminar, said that they are very encouraged to note WAPDA's interest in considering the safeguards to implement the project. They also committed all possible support for the project.
Vaqar Zakariya of Hagler Baillay Pakistan said that Diamer Basha Dam could be used as a vehicle for regional transformation. GB Health Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the GB Legislative Assembly Bashir Ahmed, Ex-Member GB Legislative Assembly Syeda Fouzia Saleem Abbas, while making suggestions for the action plan, assured WAPDA of their full support in execution of Diamer Basha Dam Project.