Typing with frozen hands in Gilgit-Baltistan

The average power available to a customer in Gilgit is about four hours out of 24 hours in a day.

To be a journalist in Gilgit-Baltistan, one requires extraordinary patience not because of the many security threats in the region, but also because of the unfavorable working conditions, especially in winter.

Access to information is not a challenge in Gilgit. It can be gathered under all circumstances ­ be it times of peace or turbulence ­ provided one has sufficient sources willing to cooperate. In fact, the G-B Supreme Court had recently ruled that access to official information is the right of a journalist, making it easier for journalists.

As far as the threats are concerned, a journalist working for an English newspaper is relatively at ease as the readership of English papers is considerably low. Thus, a majority of reports go unnoticed `thanks' to illiteracy and a lack of readership.

However, one major issue is figuring out a way to deal with prolonged power outages, which can often mean that the day's hard-earned material goes to waste, rendering one frustrated and disappointed, to say the least.

Throughout winter, the average power available to a customer in Gilgit is about three to four hours out of 24 hours in a day. If one wants to make the most of these hours, they have to be at their workplace, which is not possible at all times. And to add to it all, one is handicapped if one's workplace does not have enough heating arrangements as typing with frozen hands is near impossible.

The official reason for the rather pathetic power situation in Gilgit is ascribed to the increased consumption in winter and the decrease in glacier water which generates power.

However, the general perception is that corruption in the power department is behind the mess.

According to an Asian Development Bank report, G-B has the potential to generate 42,000 megawatts of electricity. I wonder if this will ever take form. Perhaps, and hopefully, the next generation will witness it happening.

But for now, I need to make use of the short-lived electricity to finish this blog.