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Greening the Third Pole: A Roadmap for Energy Transition and Climate Resilience in Gilgit-Baltistan

By  Syed Shamsuddin “The fate of the glaciers at the world’s Third Pole will decide the fate of millions downstream.” — ICIMOD Report, 2023 Gilgit-Baltistan — known to scientists as The Third Pole — is the environmental barometer of Pakistan, a region whose towering mountains cradle some of the planet’s largest glacial reserves outside the polar zones. Its rivers nourish the mighty Indus Basin, sustaining life far beyond its valleys. Yet today, this region of sublime beauty and serenity stands at the frontline of climate change, confronting an ecological and energy crisis of historic proportions. A Region in Peril Long, frigid winters are growing even harsher, while glacial melt and erratic weather patterns disturb traditional livelihoods. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan remain heavily dependent on fuelwood extraction for heating and cooking — a practice now accelerating the loss of its already limited forest cover. At the sa...
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The Wit and Wisdom of Late Muhammad Anwar Khan Numberdar

By  Syed Shamsuddin The anecdotes presented below have been excerpted from Abdul Khaliq Taj’s essay, “Muhammad Anwar Khan – Aik Zinda Dil Insan,” appearing on pages 149 to 156 of the anthology Gilgit-Baltistan ka Urdu Adab . Among the memorable personalities of Gilgit, Anwar Sahib stands out as a man of rare humor, quick wit, and subtle social insight — one who could blend laughter with wisdom in every word. His anecdotes have long transcended the boundaries of ordinary conversation and become part of local lore, quoted fondly by those who knew him and retold with delight by those who only heard of him. A Father and Son — Rustam Meets Sohrab Anwar Sahib’s eldest son, Imtiaz , once served as the Chairman of the Gilgit Municipality (Baldia Gilgit) . On one memorable occasion, a friendly polo match was organized between the Local Government and the Municipality. On the Municipality’s side rode the son — Imtiaz; and on the Local Gov...
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Solar Kitchens: A Sustainable Alternative to Fuelwood for Gilgit-Baltistan’s Forest Conservation

By  Syed Shamsuddin Solar Kitchens in Context In many remote and rural communities, energy for cooking remains a challenge. Traditional fuel sources like wood, charcoal, or coal are expensive, polluting, and contribute to deforestation. Meanwhile, sunlight is often freely available. Solar kitchens (or solar cookers / stoves) that use mirrors, parabolic dishes, or reflectors to concentrate solar energy for cooking offer a clean, low-ongoing-cost alternative. These solar kitchens typically include a concentrating reflector (parabolic or dish‐shaped) or mirrored panels that focus sunlight onto a pot. When the sun shines, sufficient heat is generated to cook food or boil water, without burning wood, coal, or other fuels. Are Such Solar Cookers Used in China? Reportedly, several projects in China show real, on-the-ground adoption of solar cookers in under-served rural areas. Some examples: Heqing Solar Cooker Project (Zhangye, Gansu ...
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Exploiting a Noble Name and the Prolan Controversy

By  Syed Shamsuddin Exploiting a Noble Name: Dr. Adeeb Rizvi and the Prolan Controversy In recent times, there has been a growing wave of advertisements circulating across social media and other online platforms promoting Prolan as a miraculous or “ultimate curative” prescription for urological disorders, particularly prostatitis. What makes this campaign especially alarming is the recurring attempt to associate Prolan with the name of Dr. Adeeb-ul-Hassan Rizvi , the world-renowned urologist, humanitarian, and founder of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) . Of late, I came across video clips featuring Shahzeb Khanzada and Hamid Mir —both acclaimed television anchors—appearing to eulogize Dr. Rizvi’s supposed breakthrough in inventing Prolan , portraying it as an elixir and a major medical milestone in curing prostate-related ailments. Such media portrayals, especially when disseminated through widely followed...
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Safe Drinking Water in Gilgit: An Urgent Call for Action

By  Syed Shamsuddin GILGIT, the bustling heart of Gilgit-Baltistan, is facing a growing crisis that often goes unnoticed until it directly affects households: pollution in potable water supplies . Recent social media reports and local accounts indicate that many water reservoirs supplying the city are not being routinely tested or monitored. As a result, thousands of families are unknowingly exposed to unsafe drinking water that is fueling the spread of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, diarrhoea, and dysentery . The Sources of Contamination Several factors contribute to this alarming situation: Lack of testing and oversight: The water reservoirs, including those operated by WASA at Danyore, have no regular mechanism for quality testing. Aging and exposed reservoirs: Many supply tanks and channels remain uncovered or poorly maintained, leaving them vulnerable to contamination from runoff, animals, and human activity. E...
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Rana Nazim – The Unmatched Torchbearer of Party Loyalty

By  Syed Shamsuddin By all accounts, Rana Nazim of Juglote Sai stands apart as one of the rarest and most steadfast political workers Gilgit-Baltistan has ever produced. Unlike many who join parties for convenience or opportunity, Nazim’s journey was anchored in a lifelong conviction—an unshakable belief in the manifesto of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). I, too, as a neutral observer and an apolitical person, have known him since the 1980s and never once saw him waver in his loyalty or in his confidence that the PPP alone embodied his political ideals. Rana Nazim, as I learned, had earlier served in the Education Department of Gilgit-Baltistan, perhaps as a teacher. However, he later reportedly gave up the job to dedicate himself wholly and uninterruptedly to the party cause he cherished so deeply. Among the other common people I knew was Muhammad Afzal from Jalalabad (Bagrote)—an illiterate yet steadfast stalwart—who spe...
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In Loving Memory of Colonel Syed Javaid Hussain

By  Syed Shamsuddin   This afternoon, on Saturday, September 20, 2025, I was struck with the grievous and heart-wrenching news of the sudden passing away of my paternal first cousin’s son, Colonel (r) Syed Javaid Hussain , in Rawalpindi. Words fail to capture the shock and sorrow this news has brought to our entire family. As per the initial information reaching us, Colonel Javaid had gone for his routine morning walk alone when fate intervened in a most unexpected manner. He was found lying unconscious by a passerby who, with a gesture of humanity, searched his mobile phone and located one of his children’s contact numbers. Through this, the tragic development was immediately conveyed to his household. Despite all possible efforts, his condition could not be reversed, and Allah’s will was fulfilled. At about 1915 hours this evening, my son in Rawalpindi confirmed the heartbreaking reality to me. He further informed that the...
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