Afghan power project prompts Hazara protest in Kabul

Afghanistan’s capital witnessed a large protest by the members of Shia community over the proposed route of a power line.

Afghanistan’s capital witnessed a large protest by the members of Shia community over the proposed route of a power line.

Thousands of Hazara demonstrators took to the streets of Kabul on Monday to march towards the presidential palace, demanding a 500kV transmission line to be routed through Bamyan province, which has a large Hazara population.

The so-called TUTAP line was originally due to pass through Bamyan, but the government decided to reroute it through the Salang Pass north of Kabul, saying the shorter route would save money.

The situation calmed down later on Monday after the government issued a decree promising to postpone the project for six months and set up a commission to review the whole plan, according to reports from Kabul.