Anti-Pak protest in PoK against exploitation of water resources

Residents of Muzzafarabad on Tuesday launched a large-scale protest against Pakistan for diverting water from Neelum River to fulfil the requirements of Punjab Province, leaving the region dry.

Venting anger over Islamabad's move, Jameel Maqsood, leader of United Kashmir People's National Party, said, "They have diverted the water of Neelum River to utilize it for the project (Neelum-Jhelum power project), which has left the river dry. This has worsened the situation in the region. Lower riparian areas like Muzaffarabad city are facing acute shortage of water. People are compelled to leave their homes and property due to this. This is the real concern of the people. They are saying that this is an illegally occupied territory of Pakistan and it cannot build a project which is not serving any purpose when people will be left deprived of their basic rights, they are bound to take to the streets."

The locals residing in the area also raised their voices against the proposed construction of Neelam Jhelum Hydropower Project. They believe that this project would solely benefit the people of Pakistan and aggravate the water crisis in their region.

"The low lying area where the water flows is left bereft of any water. The natural habitat and wildlife of the region will be destroyed owing to the water shortage. Where will all the animals get water from? All the animals had river Neelum as their major source of water. Today, only sewage water is flowing in the river Neelum and it looks no more than a drain. The videos and pictures that have emerged of late are very dangerous and disappointing," Maqsood added.

This is not the first time that allegations have been put on Islamabad by the residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for exploiting their resources.

On September 22, scores of political activists from PoK also held a massive protest in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) office in Geneva against the gross human rights violations and exploitation of water resources by Pakistan in the region. The protesters had also demanded Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure in PoK, as jihadis are used against people in Kashmir valley.

The protest was organized by the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) during the 39th session of the UNHRC.