The Ghazi Barotha Taraqiati Idara (GBTI) was established in 1995 as a non-profit organization under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance of 1984, to address the socio-environmental impacts of the Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project (GBHP). The GBHP, designed to address Pakistan’s energy shortfall, diverts water from the Indus River to a power plant in Attock, generating 1,450 MW of electricity annually. Unlike traditional dams, GBHP is a run-of-the-river project with fewer environmental and social impacts. Despite delays due to labor disputes and financial constraints, the project was completed in 2003 at a cost of $2 billion, co-financed by multiple international institutions. To mitigate the environmental impact, measures such as maintaining downstream water flow, monitoring water quality, and providing drainage systems were implemented. A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) was also introduced to ensure fair compensation and resettlement for affected populations in 55 villages across Attock, Haripur, and Swabi districts. In collaboration with NRSP, GBTI was tasked with implementing the RAP and sustainable development initiatives through participatory organizations. WAPDA recognized the importance of long-term partnerships with local communities to ensure that the project benefits are sustained beyond immediate compensations, supporting broader community development.
Vision
Directly & indirectly GBHP Project Affected Person (PAPs) will be organized in the form of their own organizations. The community institutions and their activists are recognized by the Government and private development agencies as vehicles for the sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Mission
To ensure fair and just implementation and compensation packages announced for affected communities of Ghazi Barotha hydro Project (GBHP) through involvement of all stakeholders and promote area development programme with a special focus on the poor and deprived communities.
Major Objectives
To foster the institutions of the people in all villages and settlements in GBHP affected area through a committed cadre of community activists and community extension workers/specialists. GBTI works to harness people’s potential for poverty reduction and improving their quality of life.GBTI pursues its objectives in the following two major categories:
Advocacy and Conflict Resolution: To facilitate a multi stakeholder consultation and interaction mechanism in achieving the desired GBHP project objectives.
Poverty Alleviation: To work as a catalyst, promoting participatory development of the affected communities to bring about lasting improvements in the quality of lives of the people of the Project area.
GBHP Affected Area
The Ghazi Barotha Taraqiati Idara (GBTI) operates primarily in the Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project (GBHP) area, which encompasses 55 villages across three districts: Attock in Punjab, and Haripur and Swabi in KPK. Over time, GBTI expanded its programs to cover 142 villages with a population of around 553,718 people across 22 Union Councils (UCs), including Zarobi and Maini added in 2013. GBTI has successfully addressed issues faced by directly affected households, organizing 73,829 households across these UCs to promote participatory socio-economic development. The project area, situated between Punjab and KPK, is divided into four regions: Sarwala and Chachh in Attock, Ghazi in Haripur, and the Right Bank Side in Swabi. The area’s population is predominantly Pakhtun, with Awans forming a large group, and languages like Punjabi, Hindko, and Seraiki spoken. The region is mostly rain-fed (Barani), with varying terrain and agricultural productivity. GBTI successfully implemented the Rs.99.76 million Integrated Regional Development Programme (IRDP) funded by WAPDA and currently maintains a Rs.19.76 million credit pool. WAPDA also provided Rs.100 million as an endowment fund for GBTI’s sustainability, enhancing its ability to attract additional donors.
A Unique Governing Structure
GBTI is governed by an independent Board of Directors (BoD). The governing Board is unique in many respects and distinguishes GBTI from other similar development and advocacy based organisations and exclusively portrays “Good Governance,” deep rooted in the organisational structure, right from top to bottom. The Board consists of “Technical Directors” and those directly elected by the community organisations in their capacity as members of the “Local Board of Directors (LBOD)”, who act in harmony with the local development needs. The LBOD effectively voice the concerns of GBHPP affectees, for a fair and timely resolution of their concerns.