Residents of Hanzel in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan are experiencing severe power outages despite being near the Hanzel Hydropower Project, a major electricity generation facility, according to Pamir Times, a local media outlet.
Residents have also expressed frustration over the lack of job opportunities for locals at the 20 MW Hanzel Hydropower Project. Despite promises from officials, no jobs have been provided to locals, and outsiders are being recruited instead.
Local leader Haji Muhammad Nasir and other residents of Hanzel in PoGB have criticized the project, alleging that it is heading toward failure.
“The 20 MW project has not yet started, and instead of providing jobs to our people, outsiders are being recruited. We will protest if this continues. We were promised that our people would get jobs in the hydropower project, but nothing has happened. Whenever we try to reach the officials to raise our concerns, we are met with fake promises and assurances with no results,” said Haji Muhammad Nasir.
“I don’t understand why, if the project and tender for power generation have been approved and advances taken, the work has not started yet. Now they want to undertake a 40 MW project without completing the already approved 20 MW project,” he added.
Another Hanzel resident emphasized the government’s broken promises, highlighting that an agreement was made to provide jobs to locals once the project started.
“There was an agreement between the people and the government to provide jobs to locals, but nothing has been done. The agreement clearly states that our people would get jobs. Initially, two to three locals were employed, but no more jobs have been provided since then, leaving us in the dark,” said the resident.
A tourist from Islamabad also noted the severe electricity shortage in the area. “Electricity is essential in these regions. I’ve been here for 20 to 25 days and have only witnessed 5 to 6 hours of electricity,” the tourist said.
(With ANI Inputs)
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