Pakistan-China to build a dam in POK

Pakistan China to build a dam in POK during pandemic

On Wednesday, Pakistan Government signed a Diamer bhasha dam contract of Rs 442 billion Pakistan rupees with a joint venture of  China power ( a China state run firm) and FWO ( the Frontier works organization).

Diamer Bhasha is a multi-purpose mega dam project to  be developed on the Indus river near Chilas, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-baltistan regions of Pakistan. This dam is in preliminary stages of construction since 1998. In 1980 there is first suggestion for construction of dam. In 1998 PM of Pakistan Nawaz Shareef inaugurated this dam projects first time.

The project started from 19'os but stop due to funding. Funding and India diplomatic pressure together put a brake on dam project. Because IMF and World bank didn't fund disputed project. But now funding problem is solved by the China.

The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a commercial arm of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, 30% and the Chinese state-run firm China power holds 70%share in the consortium. The eight million acre feet reservoir with a height of 272 meters is set to be the world’s tallest Roller Compact Concrete (RCC) dam. Construction work on the dam is expected to begin in a couple of weeks, Pakistan media reported.

India reactions

On Thursday, India opposed a move by Pakistan and China to build a major Hydro-power plant in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, saying it has shared its concerns regarding such projects with both countries.

Responding to the development, external affairs ministry spokesperson  of India Anurag Srivastava said the Gilgit-Baltistan region is part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir that was illegally occupied by Pakistan.

India has always objected to this project and still objects.

This move by China to readily agree to be part of this dam shows completely disregard by the Chinese regarding India's sovernity.

China is trying to create pressure on India by crossing borders engage army and China always support Pakistan in various forum against India. But at this time India have to show their diplomatic power to China by giving support Taiwan for WHO and give right message to International media.