Skardu-Gilgit Highway

Author:

Sir: The Baltistan region comprises of four districts, which contains almost half the population of the de facto province of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). The region connects Pakistan and the rest of Gilgit-Baltistan through the Skardu-Gilgit Highway, which was built in the late 1960s and the early 1970s.

This road is now in poor condition and fatal accidents are a routine phenomenon. The road is also of great importance from the military point of view as the most sensitive borders of the country, namely Kargil, Siachan, Batalik and the Chourbat border, fall in this region where thousands of security forces are deployed for the protection of the homeland.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the reconstruction of this road soon after elections were held in Gilgit-Baltistan in June 2015. It is very unfortunate that still no funds have been allocated for this mega project and the people of the region are facing much difficulty while travelling on this road, which is a lifeline for the four districts of Baltistan as it is the only way to transport food and basic necessities. I would like to request the prime minister to order the authorities concerned to start work on this road as soon as possible because the people of Gilgit-Baltistan trust in his leadership and have given votes to his party. We hope the PML-N will fulfill its promises.

IRFAN CHOURBATI

Karachi

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • World

UN urges Taliban to protect journalists, ensure media freedom in Afghanistan

United Nations has called on Taliban authorities to protect journalists and media workers as well…

2 mins ago
  • World

Adani Group says it lost nearly $55bn as US charges sparked rout

India's Adani Group conglomerate on Wednesday said it had lost almost $55 billion in a…

2 mins ago
  • World

ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Myanmar junta chief

The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor on Wednesday asked judges to grant an arrest warrant…

2 mins ago
  • World

William Hague elected new Oxford chancellor

British former Conservative party leader and ex-foreign secretary William Hague was elected as the University…

3 mins ago
  • World

Trump names trade envoy, top economic advisor to fill policy team

Donald Trump on Tuesday named Jamieson Greer his trade representative, a key figure in implementing…

4 mins ago
  • World

China investigates defence minister for corruption: report

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has been placed under investigation for corruption, a report said…

4 mins ago