ISLAMABAD  - Federal Minister for KashmirAffairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Ch Muhammad Barjees Tahir on Thursday constituted a committee to make recommendation for early land requisition for Diamer Bhasha Dam.  The committee comprises Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Secretary Water and Power and chairman, WAPDA.
This committee will come up with its recommendations within 15 days.  The Minister expressed these view while chairing a high level meeting regarding the land acquisition for strategically important Diamer Bhasha Dam.
He has shown his dissatisfaction over the land acquisition process.  Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, representative of WAPDA, Deputy Commissioner Chillas also attended the meeting.
 The Minister was aided by Shahidullah Baig Federal Secretary and Tahir Raza Naqvi Additional Secretary Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Division.
The Minister said that Diamer Bhasha Dam was not only vital to end ongoing energy crisis but also important for water storage and food security of the country.  Due to lack of interest of WAPDA, land acquisition process was not completed till date.
Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan and Deputy Commissioner Chillas informed the Minister about the measures taken by GB government in this regard. The Meeting was informed about negligence of WAPDA, Chillas hospital, residential colonies, cadet college, technical colleges and schools were not constructed so far.
The minister took serious notice of such attitude and directed the WAPDA representative to fulfill legitimate demands of the people as early as possible.
The Minister directed the Gilgit-Baltistan government to expedite the process of payment to the landowners so that construction work on this important project could be started.