Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By  Syed Shamsuddin A significant step toward addressing the chronic electricity crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has emerged through a major federal intervention aimed at promoting renewable energy access in the mountainous region. According to a video report circulating on social media on 11 February 2026 , attributed to journalist Abdur Rehman Bokhari , the Federal Government has initiated a Rs 2 billion scheme for the free distribution of solar energy systems among the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan. The initiative is being viewed as a timely relief measure for a region that has for decades grappled with acute power shortages—particularly during the harsh winter months when hydropower generation declines sharply due to reduced water flows. Addressing a Long-Standing Energy Crisis Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique topography, dispersed settlements, and limited grid connectivity have historically constrained its power infrastructure. Reliance...

By  Syed Shamsuddin A Mother’s Passing: An Irreplaceable Loss When a mother’s hand rests upon one’s head, every worry fades away. Her love is not merely an emotion; it is a shield of protection that guards us through every hardship. The passing of one’s mother is an immeasurable loss that leaves behind a void no passage of time can ever fill. A mother’s departure from the ephemeral world to eternity deprives her children of her unconditional love, silent prayers, and lifelong blessings—leaving a wound that remains tender throughout life. When both parents are gone, it feels as though the shelter overhead has collapsed, leaving the offspring exposed at the very stage when parental presence is needed most. While death is an inescapable reality ordained by the Almighty— “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return” —the loss of a mother carries a uniquely profound anguish that words can scarcely convey. Every moment of life ...