Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit | ReNews Pakistan
Gilgit/Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has called for immediate safety measures on the Baltistan Highway, warning that frequent traffic incidents and landslides along the strategically important route pose serious risks to residents, tourists and other travelers.
Addressing a meeting focused on preventing traffic accidents and landslide-related incidents, the chief minister directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO) to take emergency measures to improve safety conditions along the highway, which was previously referred to as the Baltistan Road.
The chief minister said the route is vital for connectivity in the region but frequent landslides have created difficulties for travelers and tourists. He stressed that ensuring safer and more reliable movement along the highway is essential for the socio economic development of Baltistan.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives to ensure safe travel on this vital highway. The NHA and FWO must implement safety measures on an emergency basis,” he said.
The highway's improved safety and reliability could also have implications for the region's tourism and property markets. Better road connectivity can increase accessibility to remote areas, potentially supporting the development of hotels, resorts, commercial facilities and other tourism-related properties along key sections of the corridor.
CM Hussain also highlighted Gilgit-Baltistan's investment potential in tourism and the power sector, calling for greater efforts to attract investment and promote economic activity in the region.
Meanwhile, Special Investment Facilitation Council Secretary Jameel Ahmed Qureshi met with the chief minister and briefed him on ongoing efforts to attract international investors to energy, tourism and other strategic sectors.
The developments come as Gilgit-Baltistan seeks to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity to support tourism, investment and broader regional development. Improved highway safety, alongside investment in infrastructure, could increase the accessibility and development potential of areas located along the Baltistan Highway.

Gilgit | ReNews Pakistan
Gilgit-Baltistan has launched two major policy initiatives aimed at strengthening climate resilience, protecting the environment and promoting sustainable agricultural development, with technical and policy support from the European Union (EU).
EU Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis formally launched the region’s first GB Carbon Strategy and Action Plan along with the proposed Agriculture Policy and Action Plan 2027–2036 at a ceremony held at the Gilgit Secretariat Complex.
The two policy frameworks have been prepared for the Gilgit Baltistan government under an EU-supported policy project designed to help the region respond to the growing impacts of climate change, improve environmental management and establish a more sustainable foundation for economic development.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ambassador Karoblis said climate change, environmental protection and sustainable economic development in Gilgit Baltistan remain among the European Union’s key priorities.
He said the EU would continue supporting Gilgit-Baltistan in addressing the increasingly visible impacts of climate change and would expand its technical and financial cooperation with the regional government during the implementation phase of the newly formulated strategy.
“Following the successful completion of this important phase of policy formulation, the EU will further expand its technical and financial cooperation with the GB government to support the implementation of this strategy,” the ambassador said.
The GB Carbon Strategy and Action Plan represents the region’s first dedicated policy framework focused on carbon management and climate-related action. It is intended to provide a strategic direction for reducing carbon related impacts while strengthening the region’s capacity to respond to environmental and climate challenges.
The proposed Agriculture Policy and Action Plan 2027–2036, meanwhile, provides a longer-term framework for the development of agriculture in Gilgit Baltistan. The policy is expected to guide future interventions aimed at making the sector more sustainable and better equipped to contribute to economic development and livelihoods across the mountainous region.
During the ceremony, Ashab Ullah Baig, Team Leader and Carbon Expert of the EU Policy Support Project to the Government of Gilgit Baltistan, briefed participants on the major components, priorities and strategic direction of the Carbon Strategy and Action Plan.
The launch marks the completion of an important policy formulation phase of the EU-supported initiative, with the next stage expected to focus on translating the strategies into practical programmes and development measures in cooperation with the Gilgit Baltistan government.

Gilgit | ReNews Pakistan
Karakoram International University (KIU), in collaboration with its China Study Centre and International Office, organized a special ceremony at the Pak-China border to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China and to honour Chinese experts who have contributed to Pakistan’s development.
The ceremony was organized with the cooperation of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Pakistan. It brought together KIU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Razak, senior academic and administrative officials, faculty members and a large number of students.
The event paid tribute to Chinese engineers, experts, scholars and other professionals who have rendered valuable services in Pakistan over the decades. Speakers highlighted the depth of bilateral relations and the important role played by people-to-people contacts in strengthening ties between the two countries.
Addressing the gathering, KIU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Razak described the Pakistan-China relationship as a historic and enduring partnership. He said that over the past 75 years, bilateral relations had developed into an “all-weather strategic cooperative partnership” based on mutual trust, friendship and a shared vision of economic and social prosperity.
He emphasized that cooperation between Pakistan and China extends beyond diplomatic relations and encompasses education, culture, infrastructure, development and other areas of mutual interest.
Associate Dean Dr. Manzoor Ali and Director International Office Dr. Sajjad Haider also addressed the ceremony. They highlighted the longstanding bonds between the peoples of Pakistan and China, particularly the growing cooperation in education, cultural exchange and development.
Following the ceremony, KIU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Abdul Razak led university officials and students in a cleanliness campaign at the Pak-China border. The activity was organized in collaboration with KIU, the Forest and Wildlife Department and the Khunjerab Valley Organization (KVO).
The environmental initiative focused on protecting the natural surroundings of the conservation area and promoting greater public awareness about the importance of preserving the fragile ecosystem of the Khunjerab region.
Participants collected waste and encouraged tourists and visitors to maintain cleanliness and avoid activities that could damage the sensitive ecological environment. The campaign also highlighted the importance of responsible tourism in protecting the unique natural landscape of the Pak-China border area.
The initiative combined the commemoration of Pakistan-China friendship with an environmental awareness message, underscoring the importance of collective efforts to protect the region's natural heritage while strengthening educational and people-to-people links between the two countries.