Author: Tanveer Ahmed

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Gilgit-Baltistan arrested a police officer from Jutial Police Station on Wednesday for allegedly accepting a bribe, officials said. The arrest was made during a trap raid conducted on a tip-off. According to ACE officials, the officer had detained a truck driver over a blocked identity card and later demanded a bribe for his release. Acting on a complaint, the anti-corruption team carried out a swift operation and caught the officer red-handed while receiving the bribe money. The suspect was taken into custody and shifted to the Anti-Corruption Police Station for further investigation.…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: Heavy rainfall in Upper Kohistan has caused severe landslides along the Karakoram Highway, blocking several key routes and cutting off the region’s road connection with the rest of Pakistan. Officials reported that rescue and repair teams have been dispatched to clear debris and restore traffic, but many areas remain inaccessible. The road closures have left hundreds of passengers and cargo vehicles stranded, forming long queues on the affected stretches. Authorities have urged travelers to exercise extreme caution and avoid non-essential journeys until the highways are fully cleared and deemed safe. Local administrations are closely monitoring the…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: Caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Justice (R) Yar Muhammad on Sunday visited Skardu to inspect damage to government and private properties that were set ablaze during recent unrest in the city. He was accompanied by Force Command Northern Areas Commander Maj Gen Syed Imtiaz Gillani, Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza and Inspector General of Police Dr. Akbar Nasir. The delegation reviewed the situation and assessed losses caused during the disturbances. Speaking on the occasion, Yar Muhammad termed the incidents deeply unfortunate and stressed the need for collective efforts to curb intolerance in society. He urged religious…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: The Department of Tourism, Sports and Culture Gilgit-Baltistan highlighted the region’s tourism potential at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) Berlin 2026, one of the world’s leading tourism exhibitions held in Berlin, Germany from March 3 to 5. The event brought together thousands of tourism organizations, travel companies, and industry stakeholders from around 180 countries. The Gilgit-Baltistan delegation showcased the area’s stunning natural landscapes, unique cultural heritage, and adventure tourism opportunities, drawing significant interest and appreciation from international participants. Under the Gilgit-Baltistan Rules of Business 2009, promoting tourist destinations and marketing tourism products globally is a core…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: Authorities in Gilgit announced that the days-long curfew in the city will be lifted from midnight Wednesday, citing an improvement in the security situation. However, all schools will remain closed until March 8. The curfew, imposed after recent unrest, will end at 12:00 am PST, allowing government offices to reopen on Thursday. Provincial Home Secretary Captain (retd.) Mushtaq Ahmed said the decision followed a review of law and order conditions. Restrictions under Section 144, banning public gatherings, rallies, and processions, will remain in force. Residents are permitted to resume routine activities, but precautionary measures will continue…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has announced the formation of a high-level judicial commission and launched a comprehensive de-weaponisation campaign, as authorities continue to enforce a curfew in Gilgit to manage unrest. Officials said the independent commission will investigate the recent violence, examining events impartially and submitting findings according to legal procedures. Simultaneously, authorities have initiated a region-wide drive to confiscate illegal weapons, with strict legal action promised against those involved in vandalism, arson, or property damage in Gilgit and Skardu. The curfew in Gilgit remains in effect, with decisions on extending restrictions in Skardu to be made…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT/ SKARDU: At least 11 people were killed and more than 70 injured in violent protests across Gilgit-Baltistan following reports of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in alleged attacks by Israel and the United States. Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Skardu and deployed the army after demonstrators set fire to government and international aid offices. Thousands blocked the main highway, storming and torching buildings including the regional office of the United Nations Development Programme, the senior superintendent of police office, a technology park, and an army public school. The Aga Khan Rural Support…

By Tanveer Ahmed ILGIT: The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has extended the deadline for applications under its free solar panel scheme until March 5, 2026, responding to high public demand and accessibility challenges in remote areas. Officials explained that many applicants were unable to complete the online application process due to missing documents, while residents in snow-bound and distant regions faced difficulties submitting their forms within the original timeframe. The online portal will reopen Wednesday night and remain active until the new deadline. Authorities urged all eligible residents to submit their applications before March 5, warning that no further extensions will…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: Widespread protests erupted in Gilgit and surrounding areas after alleged blasphemous remarks targeting sacred religious figures circulated on social media, prompting road blockades, business closures, and heightened security, officials said Monday. The demonstrations began late Sunday, with protesters blocking key arteries including River View Road, Lalak Jan Shaheed Chowk in Jutial, Serena Chowk in Upper Jutial, and Yadgar Chowk. Demonstrators burned tires, erected barriers, and shut down Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, the city’s main thoroughfare. In the Jaglot subdivision, protesters staged a sit-in on the Karakoram Highway, demanding the immediate arrest of the suspect responsible for the online content.…

By Tanveer Ahmed GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority has issued a high alert across Gilgit-Baltistan, warning that accelerated glacier melt combined with above-normal rainfall forecasts could trigger floods, landslides, and glacial lake outburst floods in 2026. Officials said shifting weather patterns linked to climate change have heightened the vulnerability of the mountainous region, where hundreds of glaciers feed rivers and streams that pass through narrow valleys and densely populated settlements. The warning comes in the wake of extensive damage last year, when torrential rains and sudden glacial lake outbursts inundated villages, swept away roads and bridges, destroyed crops, and…