Families block Mansehra road to claim better land payments.

MANSEHRA -- The families affected by the Balakot hydropower project on Monday staged a sit-in on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road for over five hours to demand better payments for their land and houses acquired for the initiative.

'The district administration has acquired our 8,000 kanals of land and houses for this hydropower project but fixed a meagre amount as compensation, which is unacceptable to us,' elder Aqeel Yusufzai said during the sit-in in Hassamabad area.

He warned that if the government didn't increase compensation amount, land and house owners affected by the project would stage more street protests.

The local assistant commissioner along with deputy superintendent of police Siraj Khan met protesters and assured them of an early action on their demands.

Disperse after admin promises early action on demand

The families dispersed peacefully after the AC fixed their meeting with the deputy commissioner for today (Tuesday) in Mansehra.

Mr Yusufzai said the protest was being wrapped up only at the request of the administration but if the sought-after compensation wasn't paid, the families would take to the streets yet again.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council has approved $750 million for Balakot dam being built with the financial assistance of the Asian Development...