Defence Ministry warns delays in Mangla Dam compensation could trigger protests

The Ministry of Defence has warned the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance that delays in compensation payments to victims of the Mangla Dam Raising Project could lead to protests and affect internal security in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

BR reported that the ministry raised concerns over pending compensation claims linked to the Mangla Dam Raising Project, which was executed between June 2004 and September 2007 to restore reservoir storage capacity lost due to sedimentation.

The project resulted in the inundation of 15,780 acres, or 64 square kilometres, in Mirpur district, displacing residents of 118 villages.

In June 2003, the Water and Power Development Authority and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government agreed on a compensation package worth Rs26 billion covering land acquisition, housing compensation and resettlement.

However, officials said a substantial portion of payments remains pending.

According to sources, only 46 out of 449 affected individuals have so far received partial compensation, while Rs4.4 billion in payments remains pending with the Ministry of Finance.

The Defence Ministry warned that continued delays were increasing grievances among affected families, leading to legal disputes and the possibility of protests.

The ministry urged Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo and Finance Secretary ImdadUllah Bosal to expedite release of the pending funds.