Peshawar (Kubha News)- Chinese companies have brought construction to a standstill on three major dam projects in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, impacting thousands of workers, following an incident on the Karakoram Bisham highway.
The suspension of work affects the Dasu, Tarbila, and Diamir Bhasha dams, with the possibility looming over the halt of operations at the Mohmand Dam as well.
The decision comes in the wake of a fatal collision between a vehicle carrying explosives and one transporting Chinese engineers, resulting in the loss of five lives.
In light of the security concerns, Chinese authorities have instructed around 500 personnel involved in the Diamir Bhasha Dam project to remain at homes. This directive echoes across various sites, as confirmed by an official from the Dasu project, who revealed that work has ceased on the dam, urging local workers to stay put.
The Dasu Dam, boasting a capacity of 4,320 MW, employs 741 Chinese and 6,000 local workers.
Nazakat Hossein, an official associated with the Diamir Bhasha dam, expressed optimism about the situation normalizing upon the return of Chinese workers, underscoring the critical role they play in the construction efforts. The dam, once completed, is projected to generate 4800 MW of electricity through hydroelectric power.
Meanwhile, the Mohmand dam remains operational, with 250 Chinese workers continuing their duties, although concerns persist among some laborers regarding the security of their Chinese counterparts.
In response to the security challenges, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsen Naqvi has pledged to ensure justice for the victims of the recent attack, assuring efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable and safeguard the interests of Chinese personnel working on vital infrastructure projects in Pakistan.