Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By  Syed Shamsuddin Climate Change and New Possibilities for Agro-Forestry in Gilgit-Baltistan Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), often described as Pakistan's "Third Pole" because of its vast glacial reserves, is today witnessing unmistakable manifestations of climate change. Retreating glaciers, warmer summers, milder winters, erratic snowfall, prolonged dry spells, and increasingly frequent Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are transforming the region's fragile mountain environment. Yet, alongside these challenges, changing climatic conditions may also present carefully managed opportunities. A question that now deserves serious scientific attention is whether the gradual warming of certain valleys has created conditions suitable for cultivating tree and plant species that previously could not survive at higher elevations. This possibility should not encourage indiscriminate introduction of exotic species; rather, it calls for ...

By  Syed Shamsuddin PERHAPS the greening of Gilgit-Baltistan must begin with retaining water—not merely planting trees. Whenever the subject of greening Gilgit-Baltistan arises, our immediate response is usually tree plantation. Trees are undoubtedly essential to the ecological health of our mountains. But perhaps we need to ask a more fundamental question: Where will the water come from to sustain the trees? Gilgit-Baltistan is a cold-arid, mountainous region with limited and irregular rainfall. Yet enormous quantities of water enter its valleys through snowfall, snowmelt, glacier melt and episodic rainfall. Much of this water rapidly descends through countless nullahs and mountain channels, carrying away fertile soil and sediment before disappearing downstream. The real challenge, therefore, may not simply be to plant more trees. It may be to retain more water within the mountains . This brings forth a potentially transformative idea...

By  Syed Shamsuddin THERE are occasions when a long-standing demand ceases to be a demand and becomes an imperative. The construction of a new, modern airport at Gilgit is now precisely such an imperative. As reported on social media on 16 July 2026, the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has, in his letter dated 15 July 2026 addressed to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, most justifiably drawn attention to the urgent need for a new airport at Gilgit. The appeal deserves the serious and positive consideration of the federal government—not as another routine administrative request, but as a matter of overriding importance for the future of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is, indeed, difficult to understand why the issue continues to linger. Gilgit-Baltistan has changed dramatically. Its aviation infrastructure has not. The region has emerged as one of Pakistan's most coveted tourist destinations and has earned international recognition, having ...

By  Syed Shamsuddin The announcement by Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Advocate Amjad Hussain Azar, regarding the establishment of a Glacier Protection Authority is not merely a regional administrative measure; it is a matter of profound national importance. In reality, the glaciers of Gilgit-Baltistan constitute Pakistan's most critical natural asset, for they form the principal source of the country's freshwater resources, agricultural sustainability, hydropower generation, and long-term water security. For decades, Gilgit-Baltistan has rightly been described as Pakistan's "Water Tower" . The region contains more than 13,000 glaciers, representing the largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions. These glaciers feed the Indus River system upon which the overwhelming majority of Pakistan's population depends. It is frequently estimated that the snow and glacier melt originating from the Karakor...

By  Syed Shamsuddin THE  Gilgit–Skardu Expressway stands as one of the most remarkable infrastructure projects undertaken in Gilgit-Baltistan. It has dramatically reduced travel time between Gilgit and Skardu, strengthened regional integration, facilitated trade, and opened Baltistan to an unprecedented influx of domestic and international tourists. Today, the highway is not merely a road; it is the economic and social lifeline connecting the twin regions of Gilgit and Baltistan. Yet, despite its immense significance, one critical weakness continues to undermine its reliability. The Astak Nala–Malopa section in Roundu Valley remains chronically vulnerable to landslides, rockfalls, flash floods, and slope failures. Almost every year, this notorious stretch becomes impassable, bringing traffic to a standstill, endangering precious lives, disrupting tourism, and interrupting the movement of goods and emergency services. While t...

By  Syed Shamsuddin THE constitutional and political journey of Gilgit-Baltistan (formerly known as the Northern Areas) has been characterized by gradual institutional development rather than abrupt constitutional transformation. Over the past five and a half decades, successive governments—both military and civilian—have introduced a series of reforms aimed at expanding representative governance, strengthening administrative structures, and enhancing the legislative and executive role of locally elected institutions. The following chronology highlights the principal milestones in this evolutionary process, together with the Head of State (President of Pakistan or, where applicable, the Chief Martial Law Administrator/Chief Executive) and the Head of Government who held executive authority at the time each reform or electoral milestone occurred. Year Major Reform / Milestone Head of State Head of Government 1970 Establishment of the No...

By  Syed Shamsuddin The recent speech by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Pakistan's Parliament, wherein he underscored the imperative of resolving the constitutional ambiguity surrounding Gilgit-Baltistan, has been widely welcomed across the region. His remarks have rekindled a long-standing national conversation on an issue that has remained unresolved for more than five decades despite successive constitutional and administrative reforms. For the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, constitutional ambiguity is not merely an academic or legal concern; it has tangible implications for democratic representation, governance, judicial certainty, economic planning, investment, and the overall trajectory of regional development. It is, therefore, encouraging that a national political leader has once again brought this matter to the forefront of parliamentary discourse. What makes Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's statement particularly noteworthy is its histor...

By  Syed Shamsuddin RAPID urbanization is often regarded as a sign of progress and economic growth. However, when urban expansion occurs without proper planning and provision of civic amenities, it can gradually erode the very quality of life it seeks to improve. Across Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in and around the expanding urban centres, one of the most neglected aspects of development is the preservation and creation of public spaces, parks, playgrounds, and community recreation facilities. Traditionally, the settlements of Gilgit-Baltistan were not merely clusters of houses. Villages were designed around communal spaces that fostered social interaction, cultural cohesion, and physical recreation. Among these were the cherished beyaks (community gathering spaces), village squares, polo grounds, open fields, and other common areas where people met, discussed community affairs, celebrated festivals, resolved disputes, and streng...

By  Syed Shamsuddin   ACCORDING to reports circulating on social media on 3 June 2026, the commencement of angiography and angioplasty services at the Cardiac Hospital in Gilgit marks a landmark achievement for Gilgit-Baltistan, reflecting a significant advancement in the region’s healthcare infrastructure and specialized cardiac care. This development is particularly important in view of the alarming rise in cardiovascular diseases across this mountainous region over the past several decades. The availability of such life-saving diagnostic and interventional procedures within the region is expected to ensure timely access to treatment, reduce the physical and financial burden of travel on patients and their families, and substantially improve overall cardiac health outcomes. A Landmark Achievement for Gilgit-Baltistan For decades, patients suffering from coronary artery disease and other serious cardiac conditions in Gilgit-Baltistan were compelled to und...

By  Syed Shamsuddin لوگوں سے عداوت میرا دستور نہیں ہے، فرقوں کی سیاست مجھے منظور نہیں ہے، مخلوق کی خدمت میں بسر ہو میرا جیون، بس اِس کے سِوا اور کوئی منشور نہیں ہے۔ — جمشید خان دُکھی English Translation “I hold no creed of hostility toward people; The politics of sectarian divisions finds no acceptance in me. May my life be spent in the service of humanity— Beyond this, I cherish no other manifesto.” In an age increasingly overshadowed by division, intolerance, and ideological polarization, these thoughtful lines by Jamshed Khan Dukhi emerge as a profound declaration of humanism, humility, and social harmony. The poet distances himself from hatred and sectarian politics, presenting instead a philosophy rooted in compassion and service to humanity. The opening verse rejects animosity as a way of life. It reflects a moral stance that transcends personal grudges, communal conflicts, and social prejudices. By declaring that hosti...

By  Syed Shamsuddin The herb locally known in Chitral as Aspandor and in Shina as Ispandur , commonly referred to as Wild Rue or Harmal , bears the botanical name Peganum harmala and belongs to the Nitrariaceae family. As noted in the Facebook post of Flora of Chitral dated 29 May 2026, it is a naturally growing perennial herb that flourishes in semi-arid environments, especially along dry mountain slopes and heavily grazed pastures at elevations ranging between 2,000 and 3,500 metres. In Chitral, the plant generally flowers from May to June, while its fruits and seeds mature and appear during August. This notable herb is not restricted to Chitral alone; it is widely distributed throughout the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan as well, where it forms an integral part of local traditions, indigenous knowledge, and folk healing practices. Among many communities, Harmal is regarded as a sacred and spiritually significant plant, ...

By  Syed Shamsuddin Election Seasons (A Poetic Rendering of Muhammad Sharif Bagoro’s Very Interesting Shina Verse) Strangely now they come to bless your marriage rites, A curious crowd attends our prayerful nights. No true compassion stirs their crafted role— They come with hidden aims, not heart or soul. The Pharaohs of our age bend low and near, Kneeling before the poor they once held dear. When harvest time awakens field and tree, Crows and magpies arrive in endless spree. They dress like orioles in orchard shade, To charm and fool till full their gains are made. Then, feathered strong, they rise and fly away— Himalayan vultures returned to prey. Even when riverside and mountain land were sold, And forests bartered into hands of gold, Their thirst remained; it was not quenched or done— They turn now toward the orchard and the farm and sun. For slips of vote—those “parchi” papered claims— They bow and speak with hon...

By  Syed Shamsuddin There can be no denying the fact that the success of any large-scale afforestation programme in Gilgit’s arid and rugged terrain is fundamentally dependent upon assured and sustainable irrigation support. In this context, the proposed “Greater Gilgit Green Mountain Belt Project” should incorporate a dedicated solar-powered micro-irrigation and water-pumping network under the coordinated aegis of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forest Department. Such a component would serve as the operational backbone for plantation survival across moisture-deficient mountain slopes and peri-urban ridges. Given the region’s abundant solar irradiance, the deployment of solar-powered pumping systems presents a particularly suitable, climate-resilient, and cost-effective solution for lifting and distributing water from rivers, natural springs, and existing irrigation channels to elevated plantation zones such as Kinodas, Da...