Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

Syed Shams Uddin Digital Accountability and the Ethics of Governance in the Age of Social Media In today’s interconnected world, social media has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing how citizens engage with public institutions and how swiftly governance can—and must—respond. What began as a platform for casual interaction has matured into a powerful public arena where grievances are aired, misconduct is exposed, and institutional inertia is challenged in real time. This evolution carries profound significance for developing democracies like Pakistan, where conventional grievance redressal mechanisms are often stifled by bureaucratic lethargy and inaccessibility. Why Responsiveness Matters—Especially for the Voiceless At the heart of any just administrative system lies the capacity to listen to and act upon the concerns of the public—especially the weakest segments of society. These individuals, often poor, undereducated, and geographically marginalized, suffer dispro...

By Syed Shams Uddin Introduction: The Strategic Importance of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan’s Climate Equation Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) — often referred to as the “water tower of Pakistan” — is home to over 7,000 glaciers, including some of the largest outside the polar regions. These glaciers feed the mighty Indus River and serve as the lifeline for over 220 million Pakistanis downstream. However, climate change is now transforming this vital ecological reservoir into a high-risk zone of natural disasters. The recent spike in temperatures has intensified glacial melt, triggering flash floods and ecological disruption across the region. This signals a grave threat not only to GB itself, but also to the long-term water security, agricultural sustainability, and climate stability of Pakistan. Scorching Heat and Flash Floods: A Harrowing Summer in Gilgit-Baltistan In recent days, Gilgit-Baltistan has been gripped by an intense heatwave, with soaring temperatures accelerating glacier melt ...

With a Personal Recollection from Sost, Upper Hunza By Syed Shams Uddin July 8, 2025, marks the ninth death anniversary of Abdul Sattar Edhi, the unparalleled humanitarian whose selfless devotion to serving humanity remains a glowing beacon in a world often marked by indifference. Referred to lovingly as the “Angel of Mercy,” Edhi Sahab redefined what it meant to live a life of compassion, humility, and service beyond self. The Man Who Belonged to Everyone Born in 1928 in pre-partition India, Edhi migrated to Pakistan with little but a burning desire to help the helpless. From driving a single ambulance through the streets of Karachi to establishing the Edhi Foundation, the largest volunteer ambulance network in the world, his life was a continuous act of grace. What set Edhi apart was not just the scale of his philanthropy, but the purity of his intent. He served people without prejudice—regardless of their race, faith, social standing, or nationality. Whether it was an abandoned ...

By Syed Shams Uddin As highlighted by D-TV on July 7, 2025 the fast-expanding township of Danyore, once a serene agricultural locality, is now facing the complex realities of rapid urbanization. The core issues troubling its residents, especially those concerning water management, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure, were aptly highlighted by D-TV's special coverage on July 7, 2025. These are not isolated challenges but symptoms of a broader environmental transformation—one that demands urgent policy response and sustainable planning.This invariabkly remains the case with other localities surrounding Gilgit city which are getting fast concretized under immense demographic pressures sans any town-planning. Climate Change and Glacial Melt: Danyore Not Immune The accelerating pace of climate change has led to widespread glacial retreat across Gilgit-Baltistan. Danyore, lying at the gateway to the upper Himalayan basin, is now witnessing increasingly erratic and s...

By Syed Shams Uddin A WhatsApp message shared by Karamat Hussain Raja on July 6, 2025, offers a striking portrayal of the human experience as one enters the twilight years. Titled "On the Road to Eighty," the post draws upon public data, medical insights, and emotional realities to convey the challenges, vulnerabilities, and wisdom that come with growing old. Seventy: A Defining Threshold Turning seventy is described as a critical life milestone, universally regarded as the point at which one enters old age. With sunset approaching the horizon, life begins to take on a more reflective tone. Official statistics suggest that only 44% of individuals survive beyond seventy, stepping onto the “road to eighty.” The Decade of Seventy to Eighty: A Test of Endurance This decade is framed as a difficult and eventful passage, marked by: Accelerated aging, where all bodily organs begin to irreversibly decline, much like a machine nearing retirement. A surge in health complication...

By Syed Shams Uddin | July 7, 2025 The climate clock is ticking loud in Gilgit-Baltistan. As the region reels under searing temperatures and glacial instability, the latest reports from across the mountainous north point to an escalating environmental emergency—one that threatens both the ecological balance and the lives and livelihoods of its people. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recently recorded a scorching 48.5°C in Chilas, Diamer district, marking it the hottest spot in Gilgit-Baltistan. Not far behind was Bunji, which also posted dangerously high temperatures. These figures are more than just numbers—they are warnings of an accelerating meltdown. Rising Heat, Melting Ice Such intense heat is rapidly melting the glaciers that define and sustain this land. Gilgit-Baltistan, often referred to as the 'third pole' due to its dense concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions, is home to over 7,000 glaciers that feed the mighty Indus River. These ice reserv...

By Syed Shams Uddin Gilgit-Baltistan’s Tree Crisis: Only Five Trees per Person—and the Future of Pakistan’s Glaciers at Stake In a world where the average number of trees per person is estimated at 422, Pakistan’s situation is nothing short of an ecological emergency—with a mere five trees per individual. Yet even more alarming is the intra-national disparity, where Gilgit-Baltistan—home to the largest glacial reserves outside the polar regions—stands at the frontline of this looming disaster. Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan’s Hydrological Lifeline Under Threat Gilgit-Baltistan is not merely a mountainous frontier—it serves as the hydrological backbone of Pakistan. This region is home to more than 7,000 glaciers, which collectively feed the Indus River system and sustain nearly 80% of the country's agriculture and drinking water supply. However, these glaciers—so vital to Pakistan’s environmental and economic future—are now facing unprecedented threats. The key culprits incl...

By Syed Shams Uddin July 2, 2025 Once to be hailed as the “Shangri-La of Asia,” Gilgit-Baltistan is now sounding a distress signal that the world can no longer afford to ignore. This northern frontier of Pakistan, known for its towering peaks, verdant valleys, and some of the largest non-polar glacial reserves on Earth, is undergoing a dangerous transformation. Its glaciers—those silent sentinels of the Karakoram and Hindukush ranges—are not merely melting. They are warning us.Recent social media reports indicate an alarming rise in river flows, posing a serious threat to vital communication infrastructure. This underscores the growing impact of climate change across regional valleys and calls for an urgent, comprehensive survey by the relevant environmental protection authorities to recommend both short- and long-term mitigation measures. Cracks in Paradise: From Bagrote to Nagar and Beyond From the awe-striking Gargo and Khama Glaciers in Bagrote Valley to the fast-depleting icef...