POGB: The 20 MW hydropower project in Hanzel faces criticism for failing to provide jobs to local residents.

Gilgit [PoGB], August 11: Residents of Hanzel in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan are facing severe power outages, despite their proximity to the Hanzel Hydropower project, a major electricity generation facility, as reported by Pamir Times, a local media outlet.

The local community has expressed frustration over the lack of job opportunities at the 20 MW Hanzel Hydropower project. Despite promises from officials, no jobs have been provided to locals, with outsiders being recruited instead.

Haji Muhammad Nasir, a local leader, along with other residents of Hanzel in PoGB, shared their concerns about the project’s failure to meet its commitments. "The 20 MW project has not even begun, and instead of offering jobs to our people, they are hiring outsiders. We will protest if this continues. They promised that our people would get jobs in the hydropower project, but nothing has happened. Whenever we try to reach officials to raise our concerns, we receive nothing but empty promises," said Haji Muhammad Nasir.

He further questioned, "I don't understand how the project and tender for the power generation project are both approved, and advances have been taken, yet work hasn't started. Now they want to initiate a 40 MW project without completing the already approved 20 MW project."

Another resident emphasized the government's unfulfilled promise to provide jobs to locals once the project commenced. "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. In the early stages of the project, only two to three locals were given jobs, and since then, we've been kept in the dark," said the resident.

A tourist from Islamabad also remarked on the situation, stating, "Electricity is essential in these areas. I've been here for 20 to 25 days and have witnessed only 5 to 6 hours of electricity."