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                        <title>Get The Latest News Updates Of Gilgit Baltistan - The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>PPP set to form G-B govt as Bilawal hails PM's support</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612944/ppp-set-to-form-g-b-govt-as-bilawal-hails-pms-support</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612944/ppp-set-to-form-g-b-govt-as-bilawal-hails-pms-support#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 26 22:05:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2612944</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Discussions also covered broader political cooperation as well as regional and national issues]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s statement regarding the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and expressed his gratitude, as the PPP moved closer to forming the administration in the region.

The prime minister said the PML-N would sit on opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, but its elected members would vote in favour of the PPP to enable it to form the government.

He assured full support from the PML-N for the PPP in the government formation process.

In a statement, Bilawal said that recognising the PPP&#39;s majority in G-B reflects continuity of democratic traditions and hailed the prime minister&#39;s invitation to form the government as a &quot;positive step&quot;.

&quot;As a result of a consensus agreement, the positions of governor and deputy speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan will be allocated to the PML-N,&quot; he was quoted as saying. &quot;The PPP will utilise all its capabilities to serve the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.&quot;

He added that the PPP would fully dedicate its efforts to serving the people of the region and addressing their concerns.

The PPP chairman particularly thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, saying they had entrusted the party with a mandate to safeguard their property rights, employment rights, and constitutional rights.

&quot;The Pakistan Peoples Party will fulfil this responsibility effectively and with dedication,&quot; he concluded.

A day earlier, delegations of the PPP and PML-N held meetings in Gilgit-Baltistan to discuss proposals for forming a government following the elections. Senior leaders from both sides engaged in detailed consultations on power-sharing arrangements and governance proposals.

In a statement, the PPP said the talks were a &quot;major breakthrough&quot;, saying both parties had agreed to present their recommendations before their respective central leaderships.

The discussions also covered broader political cooperation as well as regional and national issues.

It is pertinent to note that the development follows the PPP securing 11 out of 24 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, according to unofficial Form-47 results of the June 7 elections, placing it in a position to lead the next government.]]>
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			<title>NDMA issues flood alert as heavy rain forecast from June 16-20</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613442/ndma-issues-flood-alert-as-heavy-rain-forecast-from-june-16-20</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2613442/ndma-issues-flood-alert-as-heavy-rain-forecast-from-june-16-20#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 26 07:48:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Naeem Asghar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2613442</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cautions that rapidly melting glaciers, possible glacial lake outburst floods could cause heavy water flows]]>
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				<![CDATA[The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued an alert warning of heavy rainfall, strong winds and potential flood-like conditions across the northern and upper parts of the country from June 16 to 20.

According to the advisory, a westerly weather system is expected to affect the region during this period, bringing thunderstorms, gusty winds and scattered rainfall, with hail possible at some locations.

In Punjab, thunderstorms and rain are likely in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mandi Bahauddin, Sargodha, Gujar Khan, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Khushab, Jhang, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

In Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B)&nbsp;and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), rain and thunderstorms are expected in Skardu, Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Hunza, Ghanche, Shigar, Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Kotli, Poonch, Hattian, Mirpur and Bhimber.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is also likely to receive widespread rain with thunderstorms in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Kohat, Parachinar, Karak, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan.

In Balochistan, similar weather conditions are expected in Quetta, Zhob, Sherani, Ziarat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Kohlu, Harnai, Sibi, Barkhan and Khuzdar.

Read: Strong winds to lash Karachi till Tuesday

In Sindh, scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected in Jacobabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Dadu, Ghotki, Shikarpur, Shaheed Benazirabad and Nawabshah.

The NDMA warned that between June 16 and 19, rainfall combined with rising temperatures may trigger flood-like situations in parts of K-P, AJK&nbsp;and G-B.

It further cautioned that rapidly melting glaciers and possible glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) could cause heavy water flows in streams and rivers originating from mountainous regions.



Flood Bulletins of 16th June 2026 pic.twitter.com/zSLKxT28XK
&mdash; FFDLahore (@ffdlhr) June 16, 2026


Areas at risk of GLOF include Hassanabad, Shishper, Gulkin, Gulmit, Passu, Nagar, Ghizer, Skardu and Shigar, the advisory said.

The authority also warned of possible landslides and closure of link roads in hilly areas due to rainfall and unstable conditions.

NDMA has directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert in sensitive mountainous and highway regions. Tourists and travellers have been advised to check weather and road conditions before travelling to northern areas.]]>
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			<title>PM Shehbaz invites PPP to form Gilgit-Baltistan govt, says PML-N to sit in opposition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612854/pm-shehbaz-invites-ppp-to-form-gilgit-baltistan-govt-says-pml-n-to-sit-in-opposition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612854/pm-shehbaz-invites-ppp-to-form-gilgit-baltistan-govt-says-pml-n-to-sit-in-opposition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 26 16:29:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bilawal welcomes PM’s invitation to form G-B government, terms recognition of PPP mandate 'democratic']]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would support its coalition partner while opting to sit on the opposition benches in the regional assembly.

The move comes after unofficial results from Sunday&rsquo;s G-B elections showed the PPP leading in 11 of the 24 seats contested. The PML-N was leading in five constituencies, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in three, its ally Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) in one, while independent candidates were ahead in two constituencies.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, PM Shehbaz said the PML-N would support the PPP in the government formation process.

Read: PPP, PML-N leaders meet in Gilgit to discuss G-B government formation

&ldquo;The Pakistan Peoples Party has emerged as the majority party in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we invite it to form the government there,&rdquo; he said.

The premier said the PML-N had decided to sit in the opposition in the G-B Assembly, but its elected members would vote in favour of the PPP to enable it to form the government.

&ldquo;We have made this decision in accordance with democratic traditions and values. The PML-N has always maintained a relationship of mutual respect with its allied parties,&rdquo; he said.

PPP&nbsp;Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari welcomed the prime minister&rsquo;s statement&nbsp;and thanked him for inviting the party&nbsp;to form the next administration in the region.

&ldquo;The recognition of the Pakistan Peoples Party&rsquo;s majority in Gilgit-Baltistan is a continuation of a democratic tradition. We view the prime minister&rsquo;s invitation to form the government as a positive step,&rdquo; Bilawal said in a statement.



چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا وزیراعظم پاکستان کے گلگت بلتستان میں حکومت سازی کے بیان کا خیرمقدم@BBhuttoZardari
مزید پڑھیں: https://t.co/rzFvBGtS9a pic.twitter.com/SLOsifUdlh
&mdash; PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 12, 2026


He said it had been agreed through consensus that the offices of the governor and deputy speaker in G-B would be held by the PML-N.

&ldquo;The Pakistan Peoples Party will utilise all its capabilities in serving the people of Gilgit-Baltistan,&rdquo; he said.

Bilawal also thanked the people of the region for making the PPP the largest political party in the region.

&ldquo;By placing their trust in us and making us the largest political party in Gilgit-Baltistan, the people have entrusted us with the responsibility to ensure the protection of their ownership rights, employment rights and constitutional rights,&rdquo; he said, adding that the party will fulfil this responsibility in the best possible manner.

Also Read: Opposition rejects G-B election results

A day before the announcement, senior leaders of the PPP and the PML-N met in Gilgit to discuss various proposals for the formation of the next government in G-B following the June 7 elections, according to a statement issued by the PML-N on Thursday.

With coalition-building expected to determine the shape of the next administration, leaders of the two parties exchanged views on different options for government formation and agreed to continue consultations.

The delegations also agreed that the proposals discussed during the meeting would be presented to their respective G-B and central leaderships before any final decision was taken.

Meanwhile, the election results have been challenged by several political parties.

PTI rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and manipulation in a number of constituencies, while Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl raised concerns over the alleged non-issuance of Forms 45 in real time during the vote count.

Questions have also been raised by various stakeholders over delays in the announcement of results, leaving aspects of the electoral process under dispute even as coalition negotiations continue.]]>
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			<title>PPP, PML-N leaders meet in Gilgit to discuss G-B government formation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612568/ppp-pml-n-leaders-meet-in-gilgit-to-discuss-g-b-government-formation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612568/ppp-pml-n-leaders-meet-in-gilgit-to-discuss-g-b-government-formation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 26 05:36:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Proposals discussed will be placed before their leaderships before any final decision is taken]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met in Gilgit to discuss various proposals for the formation of the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) following the June 7 elections, according to a post by PML-N on Thursday.

According to the post on X, the meeting, held at a local hotel, brought together high-level delegations from both parties as negotiations over a possible coalition arrangement gathered momentum.

The PML-N delegation included Minister for Kashmir Affairs, G-B, and SAFRON Amir Muqam and PML-N G-B&nbsp;President Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman. The PPP delegation comprised senior leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, PPP G-B President Amjad Hussain Advocate, and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah.



گلگت: پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے اعلیٰ سطحی وفد سے پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی (پی پی پی) کے اعلیٰ سطحی وفد نے گلگت کے ایک مقامی ہوٹل میں ملاقات کی، جس میں گلگت بلتستان میں آئندہ حکومت سازی سے متعلق مختلف تجاویز پر تفصیلی غور کیا گیا۔

پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے وفد میں وفاقی وزیر امورِ&hellip; pic.twitter.com/VZNyGQlMK2
&mdash; PMLN (@pmln_org) June 11, 2026


According to a statement issued after the meeting, leaders of the two parties held detailed discussions on the current political situation in G-B&nbsp;and reviewed various proposals related to the formation of a new government.

The consultations come as no single party has secured enough seats to independently form a government in the 33-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

Based on provisional results, the PPP has emerged as the largest party with 10 of the 24 contested seats, while the PML-N secured six seats. PTI-backed candidates won two seats, while five independents and one candidate from Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) were also elected.

With coalition-building expected to determine the next administration, leaders from both parties exchanged views on different options for government formation and agreed to continue consultations.

Read: G-B&#39;s verdict

The delegations also agreed that the proposals discussed during the meeting would be placed before their respective G-B and central leaderships before any final decision is taken.

Both sides said further consultations would help determine the future course of action regarding government formation in the region.

Meanwhile, the election results have been challenged by several political parties. PTI rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and manipulation in a number of constituencies, while JUI-F also raised concerns over the alleged non-issuance of Forms 45 in real time during the vote count.

Questions have also been raised by various stakeholders regarding delays in the announcement of results, leaving some aspects of the electoral process under dispute even as coalition negotiations move forward.

The G-B Election Commission on Wednesday directed returning officers not to finalise or consolidate results in five constituencies until re-polling is completed on June 15.

Re-polling has been ordered at 26 polling stations in Skardu-II (GBA-8), Astore-I (GBA-13), Diamer-I (GBA-15), Diamer-II (GBA-16), and Diamer-III (GBA-17), with the commission stating that constituency results can only be consolidated after incorporating the outcome of the fresh polling.

The commission has also ordered recounts in certain constituencies, including Ghizer-II (GBA-20), following complaints and requests from candidates alleging irregularities during the counting process.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan's prized trout under threat as climate change, overfishing take toll</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612435/pakistans-prized-trout-under-threat-as-climate-change-overfishing-take-toll</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612435/pakistans-prized-trout-under-threat-as-climate-change-overfishing-take-toll#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 26 13:10:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Anadolu Agency]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cold, glacier-fed waters in Gilgit-Baltistan provide ideal environment for trout breeding]]>
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				<![CDATA[Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region, famed for its towering peaks, vast glaciers, and pristine lakes, is facing a sharp decline in its prized trout population as climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing threaten the species.

Its icy, glacier-fed waters provide an ideal environment for breeding of trout, one of Pakistan&rsquo;s most prized freshwater fish.

In recent years, however, the trout population has drastically reduced due to a slew of climate and human-induced factors, which include habitat fragmentation, pollution, construction of hydropower projects, and, on top of all, overfishing.

According to experts and officials, the trout population has been slashed by 50% over the past two decades.

&quot;Climate change-induced flash floods have been destroying spawning habitats of trout in most streams and tributaries by changing sediments and gravel size,&quot; said Farasat Ali, an official of the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan.

Speaking to Anadolu, he said the local rivers and streams were still in good condition but overfishing via dynamite, net, and electricity shock was posing serious challenges to trout populations.

Hydropower stations, he added, pose another major challenge to trout migration and life cycles, as most projects in G-B were designed without fish ladders or bypass systems to allow fish movement.

Trout, he noted, naturally move upstream for breeding, and without such provisions, entire populations of offspring could be lost in the same habitat.

Inayat Ali, an assistant director at G-B&#39;s Fisheries Department, said dramatic climate change, particularly regular floods since 2010 and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), have badly impacted the trout population in the region.

&quot;Trout requires fresh and clean water with good amounts of oxygen to survive and grow. While floods and landslides bring mud and rocks, which spoil the water quality and subsequently destroy the trout&#39;s breeding grounds,&quot; Ali told Anadolu.

Improved road infrastructure adds to overfishing

Not only the number, but the size of the fish has also reduced over the passage of time, reflecting the adverse impacts of overfishing.

&quot;It&#39;s rare to catch a trout above 1 kilogram weight nowadays. They are mostly between 500 and 600 grams. Until a decade ago, 2kg or above single catch was normal,&quot; Ali said.

Although there have been no official surveys or statistics about trout population, conservative estimates suggest a 50% decline in the number of fish over the past two decades, Ali added.

The figure was also endorsed by Khadim Hussain, a local environment protection agency official.

Hussain cited an improved road and transport infrastructure as a key factor behind overfishing and commercial catching.

&quot;Road infrastructure has been significantly improved across G-B in recent years, providing access to even far-flung areas, where lakes and streams are full of trout. It has given a boost to commercial catching,&quot; he told Anadolu.

The colonial connection

Trout is not an endemic species to G-B. It is an exotic species which has killed most of the region&#39;s native fish species in many rivers and streams.

British colonial officers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries introduced trout to the region.&nbsp;G-B is home to two kinds of trout - brown trout and rainbow trout, with the former in abundance.

The picturesque Ghizer district is known as a hub of trout. Fishing is banned from October to March &ndash; a six-month breeding period for trout &mdash; although the ban is often violated.

Obtaining a licence for trout hunting is mandatory, according to the regional government&#39;s law. The fisheries department issues 5,000 to 6,000 seasonal and daily fishing licenses yearly, compared to 1,000 to 1,500 a decade ago.

Booming trout farming industry

An increasing demand for the species has led to a booming trout farming industry across the region.

&quot;On the one hand, trout numbers are decreasing in the rivers and lakes, while on the other, its farming is on the rise in the entire region,&quot; Ali said.

Within the past three to four years, the number of trout farms across the region has soared to over 450 compared to hardly over 100, which supply around 600 tons of trout yearly across Pakistan.

Since 2013, the fisheries department has been providing guidance and financial assistance for trout farming, which has become a &quot;lucrative business&quot; opening up new employment opportunities across the region.

Maaz Alam, who set up a trout farm in Ghizer district in 2017, is currently supplying 10 tons of fish yearly to Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and other cities amid an increasing demand and profits.

&quot;The demand for trout is gradually increasing not only domestically (G-B) but across Pakistan as well,&quot; Alam told Anadolu, adding that there is an 80% to 100% return in trout farming.

A bulk of the trout production is consumed domestically, following a surge in local tourism.

&quot;No tourist returns from here without tasting a trout, which has become a hallmark of G-B.&quot;

The region, according to Alam, has a potential to export trout to the regional nations, particularly the Middle East, but it requires proper marketing and high-quality packaging.

&quot;That we cannot do without the government or a third-party support,&quot; he said.

Trophy hunting programs

Farasat, the WWF official, called for community-based fish conservation and management like trophy hunting programs, to boost the dwindling trout population.

A sustainable trophy hunting program and greater community involvement have already helped Pakistan maintain a year-long trend of an increase in the population of its national animal, the markhor.

The G-B government, last year, auctioned permits to hunt endangered markhor for a record $370,000, one of the highest permits in the world to kill an animal. The government uses the money to support local communities with initiatives such as building schools, mosques, health centres, and even providing scholarships to students.

About 80% of the amount generated through the hunting license program, launched in early 2000, is spent on local communities, while the remainder goes to the national exchequer.

&quot;This formula will boost not only fish population as well as wetlands conservation of specific areas,&quot; Farasat said.]]>
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			<title>Fact-check: Viral video of snow avalanche in Gilgit-Baltistan is from March 2026</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611589/fact-check-viral-video-of-snow-avalanche-in-gilgit-baltistan-is-from-march-2026</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611589/fact-check-viral-video-of-snow-avalanche-in-gilgit-baltistan-is-from-march-2026#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 26 08:45:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611589</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Video shows an avalanche blocking a road in G-B as people in the background can be heard screaming in panic]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan is experiencing an intense heatwave this year, with the mercury crossing 50&deg;C in some parts of the country. In its weather outlook for May 26-31, the National Disaster Management Authority warned that rising temperatures, heatwave conditions, flash floods, and landslides could impact several parts of the country, especially the northern and southern regions.

It added that there was also a risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) across Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, the NDMA also issued an advisory, warning of an increase in potential GLOF events from March to September 2026 due to an anticipated rise in temperatures, changing weather patterns, and possible early heatwave conditions in northern Pakistan.

Since Tuesday, a video has been circulating on X showing an avalanche blocking a road in Gilgit-Baltistan as people in the background can be heard screaming in panic, with some even chanting &lsquo;Allahu Akbar&rsquo;.

Many social media users shared the video claiming that the visuals were recent and raising alarm over Pakistan&rsquo;s weakening glaciers. Some also used the clip to warn tourists heading up north for vacations.

The video was also shared by local digital news outlets on YouTube and Instagram, as seen here, here, here, and here.

It must be noted that none of these posts mentioned when the incident occurred.

A keyword search conducted to corroborate whether any national or local media outlets had reported on recent avalanches in G-B did not yield any results.

Conducting a Google reverse image search yielded a Facebook video shared by state media outlet Pakistan TV, dated March 13, with the caption, &ldquo;An avalanche blocked a river in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan amid snowfall ahead of the spring season.&rdquo;

The caption concluded with the hashtags #GilgitBaltistan #AvalancheAlert #NorthernPakistan #SnowfallImpact.



https://www.facebook.com/PakistanTVGlobal/videos/an-avalanche-blocked-a-river-in-the-mountains-of-gilgit-baltistan-in-northern-pa/2054644285085913/



The video was also shared by Bol Hunza, a regional media network and page that covers news in the G-B region, on their Instagram account. It was dated March 13. According to the caption of the post, the incident occurred in the upper Hunza.





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The same video was also shared by multiple users on X and Facebook at different periods of time during April and May.

Jamil Nagri, Dawn correspondent in G-B, also confirmed to iVerify Pakistan that no such event had taken place in the region recently and that the video dated back to March.

During an avalanche, a mass of snow, rock, ice, soil, and other material slides swiftly down a mountainside.

In a report released in March, the NDMA said that the incidence of avalanches is highest in Pakistan from February to April when heavy snowfall events are followed by temperature fluctuations, strong winds, and additional snow loading.

It further stated that expanding infrastructure, including the Karakoram Highway, hydropower installations, and settlements located in narrow valleys, increases exposure to avalanche hazards. Districts such as Chitral, Upper Dir, Ghizer, Hunza, Skardu, Neelum, and Haveli remain particularly vulnerable.

Research shows the frequency of avalanches in the Himalayan mountains has increased in recent years in what is called an &ldquo;expected consequence&rdquo; of climate change.

Conclusion 

The claim that a viral video shows a recent snow avalanche in G-B is misleading.

The video is from March 2026. Moreover, according to the NDMA, the highest incidence of avalanches in Pakistan is from February to April.

This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan &mdash; a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.]]>
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			<title>PML-N leadership meets in Islamabad to finalise G-B election tickets</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603763/pml-n-leadership-meets-in-islamabad-to-finalise-g-b-election-tickets</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603763/pml-n-leadership-meets-in-islamabad-to-finalise-g-b-election-tickets#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 26 08:24:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Khalid Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gilgit-Baltistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603763</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Board includes PM Shehbaz, Nawaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Asif, Maryam Nawaz and others]]>
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				<![CDATA[The leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and party leader Nawaz Sharif, met in Islamabad at Punjab House on Monday to finalise party tickets for the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) elections, according to party sources.

Nawaz arrived at Punjab House in Islamabad, where members of the party&rsquo;s parliamentary board had also gathered for the meeting. A 23-member parliamentary board has been formed by the party leadership to select suitable candidates for the G-B general elections.

The board includes PM Shehbaz, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister and PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal, and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Hamza Shehbaz, Khawaja Saad Rafique, and Ijaz Shah are also part of the panel.

PML-N Gilgit-Baltistan President Hafeezur Rehman and senior party leaders, including Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Rana Sanaullah, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Anusha Rahman, Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar, and Chaudhry Barjees Tahir, are also attending the meeting.

Read More: Terror threat: Gilgit-Baltistan put on high alert

In addition, PML-N Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Engineer Amir Muqam and Gilgit-Baltistan leaders Haji Akbar Taban, Shams Mir, Muhammad Ashraf Sada, Muhammad Anwar, Arman Shah, Sultan Ali Khan, and Muhammad Imran Wakeel are participating as members of the parliamentary board.

A high-level PML-N delegation from Gilgit-Baltistan had earlier met Sanaullah and Muqam last week to discuss preparations for the upcoming general elections. The meeting included detailed consultations on the overall political situation, organisational matters, and future electoral strategy in G-B, according to a press release.

It was agreed to field strong, capable, and popular candidates in all constituencies, while accelerating and streamlining the election campaign. The participants also agreed to expand public outreach efforts.

G-B elections on June 7

The G-B Election Commission Secretariat, in a notification, on April 12, announced June 7 as the poll day for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly general elections. It added that the elections would be held under the Election Act 2017 and G-B Order 2018.

General elections for the G-B Assembly were originally scheduled for January 24. However, days after the announcement, the elections were postponed indefinitely due to harsh weather conditions in the region.

Earlier this month, Khan said the GB Election Commission was preparing to conduct the elections but had not yet decided on a date. Fourteen political parties had stood opposed to holding elections in the months of January or February due to harsh weather conditions, as many areas remained cut off from other areas amid heavy snowfall.

Political parties in G-B were uncertain about holding elections before June but feared they could be delayed until October. They agreed that holding elections during Muharram, which begins on June 15 or 16 this year, or on other religious occasions such as Chehlum, was not possible.

Political leaders, therefore, feared that postponing elections until June could effectively delay them until September or October.]]>
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			<title>NDMA warns of nationwide rain, thunderstorms over next 24 hours</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599229/ndma-warns-of-nationwide-rain-thunderstorms-over-next-24-hours</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2599229/ndma-warns-of-nationwide-rain-thunderstorms-over-next-24-hours#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 26 13:52:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2599229</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says various parts of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to see rain with thunderstorms]]>
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				<![CDATA[The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday warned of nationwide thunderstorms and rainfall over the next 12 to 24 hours.

According to an advisory issued by the authority, a system of western winds entering from the southwestern belt of Balochistan is likely to affect most regions, bringing rain accompanied by strong winds and gusty storms.

The NDMA cautioned that ongoing rainfall may lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock and Chakwal. Residents in vulnerable localities have been advised to remain alert and take precautionary measures to minimise potential damage.

Rain with thunderstorms and strong winds is expected in Islamabad and several cities of Punjab, including Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Gujrat, Sialkot, Lahore, Mianwali and Mandi Bahauddin over the next 12 to 24 hours. Rainfall is also likely in Khushab, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Faisalabad, Kasur, Okara, Narowal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan.

Read: Govt proposes optional multi-tariff system for industries

The advisory stated that various parts of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) are expected to experience rain accompanied by thunderstorms, dust storms and strong winds, with chances of hailstorms at isolated locations.

In view of the anticipated downpour, the NDMA has issued an alert for possible flooding in several districts of K-P and Balochistan. Flash floods are forecast in Balochistan, particularly in Turbat, Kech, Gwadar, Khuzdar, Zhob and Lasbela.

In K-P, flood-like conditions are expected in Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Parachinar, Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi. Authorities have advised precautionary measures in vulnerable areas.

Snowfall is also expected in the upper and mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and K-P during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Rain with thunderstorms and strong winds is likely in several districts of K-P, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur. Dust storms, strong winds and rain are also expected in Swabi, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.

NDMA also forecast rainfall in parts of G-B and Azad Kashmir, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot, Haveli and Neelum Valley.

In Balochistan, rain is expected in Quetta, Zhob, Ziarat, Kalat, Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Barkhan, Sibi, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Awaran, Washuk, Panjgur, Turbat, Gwadar and Lasbela during the same period.

Also Read: Doha flights resume as Pakistan restores Middle East air links after 25-day disruption

Rain with thunderstorms is also expected in Sindh cities including Kashmore, Jacobabad, Sukkur, Shahdadkot, Khairpur and Larkana.

The NDMA warned that strong winds, lightning and hailstorms may damage weak structures, trees and power lines. Rainfall could make roads slippery and disrupt traffic flow, while snowfall in mountainous areas is likely to affect travel.

Continuous rainfall in hilly regions may heighten the risk of landslides. Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, drive cautiously and follow official weather advisories. During strong winds and storms, the public has been urged to stay away from trees, fragile structures and installations.

The authority also advised tourists and travellers heading to northern areas to be cautious and check weather and road conditions in advance, while encouraging citizens to obtain timely updates through its official mobile application, &ldquo;Pak NDMA Disaster Alert.&rdquo;

Meanwhile, the NDMA has directed all provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert and take necessary measures to cope with the expected weather situation.]]>
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			<title>German envoy lauds Lift Irrigation Project in G-B's Nagar district</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2572763/german-envoy-lauds-lift-irrigation-project-in-g-bs-nagar-district</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2572763/german-envoy-lauds-lift-irrigation-project-in-g-bs-nagar-district#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 25 15:39:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[SHABBIR MIR]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2572763</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Project viewed as milestone in rural development, combining advanced engineering with strong community participation]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[German Ambassador to Pakistan, Ina Lepel, visited the Qorqon Dass Lift Irrigation Project in Gilgit-Baltistan&rsquo;s Nagar district on Thursday, commending the initiative for transforming barren mountain slopes into fertile farmland and promoting large-scale afforestation in the region.

The German envoy met with local community members and representatives of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), which implemented the project under the Hydropower and Renewable Energy Phase II (HRE-II) initiative, supported by Germany&rsquo;s KfW Development Bank.

The innovative irrigation system pumps water 418 feet uphill to the Qorqon Dass plateau, enabling the cultivation of 1,200 kanals of previously uncultivable land. The project is viewed as a milestone in sustainable rural development, combining advanced engineering with strong community participation.



&ldquo;This initiative reflects the enduring partnership between the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and German development cooperation,&rdquo; Lepel said. &ldquo;It demonstrates how collaboration and shared commitment can yield tangible progress in improving livelihoods and resilience.&rdquo;

A distinctive feature of the project is its focus on women&rsquo;s empowerment. Thirty per cent of the newly irrigated land &mdash; about 360 kanals &mdash; has been allocated to women&rsquo;s organisations, giving them ownership and direct control over agricultural production for the first time.

&ldquo;The water lifted uphill has also lifted our place in the community,&rdquo; said Bibi Hoor, president of the Akbarabad Women Organisation.

In addition to advancing gender equality, the community has designated another 30 per cent of the land for wildlife habitats, highlighting its commitment to biodiversity and climate resilience.

&ldquo;Climate change has hit our mountains hard &mdash; springs have dried up, and wildlife is vanishing,&rdquo; said Sajid Ali, chairman of the Shainbar Rural Support Organisation. &ldquo;By dedicating land to both farming and biodiversity, we are healing both our people and our environment.&rdquo;

Villagers described the project as both an engineering feat and a social transformation. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s like making the river climb the mountain,&rdquo; remarked a local elder as the first streams reached the plateau.

Located about 50 kilometres from Gilgit and perched 6,079 feet above sea level, Chalt in Nagar has long relied on subsistence farming. The new irrigation system is expected to benefit over 570 families by enhancing food security, boosting incomes, and fostering environmental regeneration.

For AKRSP, the project continues a four-decade legacy of helping mountain communities reclaim and cultivate over 131,000 hectares of new land across Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

Experts say the Qorqon Dass project&rsquo;s integration of technology, social equity, and environmental stewardship makes it a model for climate-smart rural development in Pakistan&rsquo;s northern areas.]]>
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			<title>Singer Quratulain Balouch dodges rare bear attack in Deosai</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2565204/singer-quratulain-balouch-dodges-rare-bear-attack-in-deosai</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2565204/singer-quratulain-balouch-dodges-rare-bear-attack-in-deosai#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 25 07:55:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[SHABBIR MIR]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2565204</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[G-B government bans camping in the Deosai National Park]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Quratulain Balouch, the Pakistani singer famed for Woh Humsafar Tha, survived a rare bear attack in Deosai &mdash; an incident that has prompted the Gilgit-Baltistan government to ban camping in the Deosai National Park .



&nbsp;

Singer&rsquo;s hands bandaged after bear attack

Read: Protecting Deosai bears

Balouch was attacked near Bara Pani and later rescued in an injured condition. Hospital staff said both her arms were wounded in the incident, but she was shifted to Skardu Regional Hospital where doctors confirmed she is stable and out of danger.

Giligit Baltistan spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said that under the new restrictions, no tourist or traveler will be allowed to camp overnight in Deosai.

Often described as the &ldquo;Land of Giants,&rdquo; Deosai is one of the world&rsquo;s highest plateaus, stretching over 3,000 square kilometres at an altitude above 13,000 feet. The windswept plateau, carpeted with wildflowers in summer, is home to rare wildlife including the endangered Himalayan brown bear, snow leopard, ibex, golden marmot, lynx, musk deer, and several migratory bird species.

The G-B government said the camping ban was imposed to ensure the safety of visitors and to protect the fragile alpine ecosystem, which conservationists say is increasingly under pressure from rising tourism.

Balouch, popularly known as QB, rose to prominence with her rendition of Woh Humsafar Tha, the title track of the hit drama Humsafar. She later performed several Coke Studio favourites and playback songs in Bollywood films.]]>
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			<title>Hasan Raheem backs uncle’s G-B election bid, sharing posts and campaign clips</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611605/hasan-raheem-backs-uncles-g-b-election-bid-sharing-posts-and-campaign-clips</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611605/hasan-raheem-backs-uncles-g-b-election-bid-sharing-posts-and-campaign-clips#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 26 10:34:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Life And Style Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Life &amp; Style]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611605</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Singer's 'loyalty should be in the blood' remark went viral on social media after being reshared by multiple accounts]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In a notable crossover between entertainment and politics, singer Hasan Raheem has drawn public attention after openly supporting his uncle, Jibran Rashid Khan, who is contesting in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections on June 7.

Khan, a member of the G-B Bar Council, is running as a candidate from the GBA-2 constituency in the upcoming elections. His campaign has gained increased visibility after Raheem shared posts and video clips from political gatherings and campaign events on social media.

One widely circulated video shows Raheem expressing support with the statement: &ldquo;Wafadari khoon mein honi chahiye [Loyalty should be in the blood].&rdquo; The clip quickly went viral across social media platforms after being reshared by multiple accounts.





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Raheem also encouraged young voters to support his uncle&rsquo;s campaign.

He shared an Instagram story featuring Khan with supporters in the background, captioned &ldquo;Ice Cap,&rdquo; further amplifying online engagement around the campaign.



Screengrab: hasan_raheem/Instagram

Khan himself has also been active on social media, addressing key issues during campaign messaging. In one clip, he highlighted economic challenges, stating:

&ldquo;It is my message to you that Pakistan is 97,000b in debt. We are surviving on IMF programmes, fuel is going up, we don&#39;t have power in winters,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said while discussing prominent issues.





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He also emphasised democratic participation, saying: &ldquo;Primarily in a democracy, a single voter can make a change,&rdquo; adding that collective voter turnout could &ldquo;change the fate of the nation.&rdquo;





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The campaign also received attention from rapper Talha Anjum, who appeared in a promotional statement urging supporters to back Khan. He said, &ldquo;He understands your problems. I ask you to depend on him.&rdquo;





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When Raheem asked about his motivation for supporting his uncle, he described politics as &ldquo;a very dangerous game,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;creative minds discuss creative ideas.&rdquo; He further commented that &ldquo;humanity has no religion and it does not come with a cost,&rdquo; emphasising unity and collective progress.

In another widely shared clip, the singer is seen driving through G-Bwith supporters while music plays in the background, further amplifying the visibility of the campaign.





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The endorsements have sparked mixed reactions online.

While some praised the involvement of public figures in regional politics, others criticised the messaging and questioned the appropriateness of celebrity-led political promotion.





Comments circulating on social media included concerns about youth engagement and voter eligibility. They included remarks such as &ldquo;It is the elections, not a concert,&rdquo; while others questioned youth engagement, noting that &ldquo;16-year-olds can&rsquo;t vote.&rdquo;

The episode highlights the growing overlap between celebrity influence and regional politics, where social media visibility can rapidly amplify campaign narratives while also fuelling debate over the role of public figures in electoral engagement.]]>
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			<title>PMD issues flood, landslide warning as heavy rains expected in northern parts from Sept 26 to Oct 1</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2497969/pmd-issues-flood-landslide-warning-as-heavy-rains-expected-in-northern-parts-from-sept-26-to-oct-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2497969/pmd-issues-flood-landslide-warning-as-heavy-rains-expected-in-northern-parts-from-sept-26-to-oct-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Sep 24 19:48:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2497969</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Meanwhile, hot and dry weather is predicted for Balochistan and Sindh during this period]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a warning on Sunday about the potential for heavy rains from September 26 to October 1, which could lead to flooding and landslides, particularly in the low-lying and northern regions of the country.&nbsp;

The Met Office indicated that moist currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to enter the upper parts of the country starting September 25, alongside a westerly wave that will approach from September 26.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Heavy rains may increase flow in local nullas/streams in Murree, Galliyat, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kohistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Nowshera, Swabi, Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Northeast Punjab during the forecast period,&rdquo; the statement read.

Urban flooding is anticipated in low-lying areas of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Sialkot, while landslides could disrupt road access in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan throughout the forecast period.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, rain and thunderstorms are expected in regions including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur, Buner, Malakand, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Peshawar, Swabi, Nowshera, Mardan, Charsadda, Kurram, Orakzai, and Kohat from September 26 to October 1.&nbsp;

Heavy rainfall is anticipated from September 27 to October 1 in Hangu, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan, and Dera Ismail Khan, with occasional breaks in precipitation.

In Punjab, the Met Office forecasts rain with thundershowers in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Tala Gang, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Wazirabad from September 26 to October 1.&nbsp;

Heavy rains accompanied by thundershowers are expected in Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Nankana Sahib, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Chiniot, Faisalabad, Okara, Pakpattan, Kasur, and Bhakkar from September 27 to October 1.

In Azad Kashmir, rain with thundershowers is projected in Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, and Mirpur from September 26 to October 2.

The northern region of Gilgit-Baltistan is also expected to experience rain and thunderstorms from September 26 to October 2, particularly in Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Gilgit, Hunza, Ghanche, and Shigar.

Meanwhile, hot and dry weather is predicted for Balochistan and Sindh during this period. However, isolated rain, wind, and thunderstorms are expected in Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar, Umerkot, and surrounding areas from September 26 to 28.

The Met Office cautioned that windstorms and lightning could damage fragile structures, including mud houses, electric poles, billboards, vehicles, and solar panels.&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Sadpara missing during K2 climb, rescue launched</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282898/renowned-pakistani-mountaineer-sadpara-missing-during-k2-clim-rescue-launched</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282898/renowned-pakistani-mountaineer-sadpara-missing-during-k2-clim-rescue-launched#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Feb 21 10:06:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2282898</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rescue helicopter asked to fly as high as possible to maximise chances of locating missing climbers]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Renowned Pakistani mountaineer Muhammad Ali Sadpara &mdash; along with climbers from Iceland and Chile &mdash; is reported to be missing during his winter climb on K2 and contact with the 3-member expedition has not been established since yesterday.

Shigar district Assistant Commissioner Waqas Johar told The Express Tribune on Saturday that a rescue operation has now been launched to locate the missing climbers and high altitude porters are on the way to Camp-1 in this connection. &ldquo;They will spend the night there and will start their search operation by tomorrow morning,&rdquo; he added.

Sajid Sadpara, Ali&rsquo;s son, is now descending from Camp-1, said Johar. &ldquo;Unfortunately, no news about the missing climbers yet,&rdquo; he added.

The Alpine Adventure Guides also confirmed the development on Twitter.




For Search &amp; rescue mission the pilot has been instructed to take the flight up as maximum as possible, it&rsquo;s very low temperature and 35+ KM wind above 6500m. At the basecamp, we have prepared oxygen bottles, high foods, masks, regulators for 2 Pakistani climbers (HAP). pic.twitter.com/GQNqG4ifUI
&mdash; Alpine Adventure Guides (@Alpine_Pakistan) February 6, 2021



&nbsp;

The tweet added that the rescue mission has been asked to take the helicopter as high as possible to maximise chances of finding the missing climbers.

However, Gilgit-Baltistan Home Secretary Muhammad Ali Randhawa later said that the high altitude porters had returned back to K2 Base Camp along with Sajjid Sadpara, Ali&rsquo;s son. &ldquo;They will discuss with other fellow climbers and then decide their next strategy of search operation,&rdquo; he said in a tweet.




The high altitude porters have returned back to K2 Base Camp along with sajjid Sadpara. They will discuss with other fellow climbers and then decide their next strategy of search operation . #K2WinterSummit2021
&mdash; Muhammad Ali Randhawa (@RandhawaAli) February 6, 2021



&nbsp;

Sajid had to earlier abort his ascent due to a malfunctioning oxygen regulator and descended to Camp 3. On Friday evening, he went out to search for the other team members but did not find any trace of them.




I just got in contact with Sajid at C3. He went out to check if there is any trace of them. He hasn&#39;t saw any lights or any movement. He has food,sleeping bag and he is holding tight. We&#39;ll publish the news as soon as he informs us.#k2winterexpedition2021@john_snorri
&mdash; Muhammad Ali Sadpara (@ali_sadpara) February 5, 2021



&nbsp;

Sadpara is a Pakistani mountaineer and has proudly hoisted the country&#39;s flag on eight peaks. He was also part of the team which successfully achieved the first-ever winter summit on Nanga Parbat in 2016.

Earlier, a Bulgarian mountaineer fell to his death during another expedition, his team said Friday.

Seven Summit Treks &mdash; a trekking company leading the expedition &mdash; said Atanas Skatov, 42, fell as he was changing ropes during his descent to basecamp.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan also confirmed the incident, saying his body was later recovered and flown by a Pakistani military helicopter to the nearby city of Skardu.

Skatov is the second climber to die on K2&#39;s slopes this season after a Spanish mountaineer fell to his death last month.

A third climber &mdash; Russian-American Alex Goldfarb &mdash; also died on a nearby mountain during an acclimatising mission ahead of a bid to scale Broad Peak in January.

Winds on K2&#39;s peak can blow at more than 200 kilometres per hour (125 miles per hour) and temperatures drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 Fahrenheit).

With Pakistan&#39;s borders open and with few other places to go, this winter an unprecedented four teams totalling around 60 climbers have converged on the mountain, more than all previous expeditions put together.

Unlike Mount Everest, which has been topped by thousands of climbers young and old, K2 is much less travelled.]]>
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			<title>First NGMS spectrum auction for AJK, G-B held in Islamabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2322484/first-ngms-spectrum-auction-for-ajk-g-b-held-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2322484/first-ngms-spectrum-auction-for-ajk-g-b-held-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Sep 21 06:36:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2322484</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Total revenue generated from spectrum auction process stands at over $30 million]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The first cellular spectrum auction for Next Generation Mobile Services (NGMS) in Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) was successfully held on Wednesday at the&nbsp;Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)&#39;s headquarters in Islamabad.

According to a press release issued by the authority, the electronic auction was participated in by two operators, CMPak (Zong)&nbsp;and PMCL (Jazz) for the 1,800 MHz band.

The electronic auction went up to 18 rounds and was concluded by declaring Zong as the winner of 10 MHz (2 blocks of 5 MHz) in 1,800 MHz band against the price of $14.398 million.

The communique further added that the spectrum sold in the 1,800 MHz band was 85 per cent of the total offered spectrum in the said band for AJK and G-B.

Furthermore, Telenor, Ufone and Zong have also won 1.2 MHz in 1,800 MHz band.

Telenor Pakistan was declared a winner in the 2,100 MHz band for a spectrum of 15 MHz against the set base price, the press release added. The spectrum sold in 2100 MHz band is 50 pc of the total offered spectrum in the said band, it said.

Read&nbsp;High-speed internet to boost work from home

The total revenue generated from this spectrum auction process for AJK &amp; GB stood at over $30 million.

&ldquo;PTA completed the auction process with the assistance of internationally reputed consultant JV Telconet / Frontier Economics who was on-board since April 2021, and conducted thorough consultation with cellular industry and other stakeholders,&rdquo; the press release stated, adding that the federal government constituted an Auction Advisory Committee in October 2020 under the chairmanship of (then) finance minister.

The Policy Directive was issued on August&nbsp;11, 2021 under which the PTA initiated the process for fair and transparent spectrum auction process ensuring consumer interests, the communique stated.

It concluded that the addition of the spectrum would help Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs) to provide better data and voice services in the two regions currently being focused on the promotion of tourism.]]>
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			<title>Historic K2 team make it back safely to base camp in G-B</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2280323/historic-k2-team-make-it-back-safely-to-base-camp-in-g-b</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2280323/historic-k2-team-make-it-back-safely-to-base-camp-in-g-b#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jan 21 17:30:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2280323</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[All 10 Nepali climbers are in good health and relaxing, says G-B govt spokesperson Faizullah Firaq]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The triumphant team of Nepali climbers who made history when they became the first to summit Pakistan&#39;s K2 in winter arrived safely back at base camp on Sunday, officials said.

The 10 climbers reached the top of the world&rsquo;s second-highest mountain on Saturday, the last peak above 8,000 metres (26,000 feet) to be conquered in wintertime.

&quot;All the 10 Nepali climbers arrived in the base camp this afternoon. They are in good health and relaxing,&quot; Faizullah Firaq, a spokesperson for the Gilgit Baltistan government, told AFP.

One of the successful climbers, Nirmal Purja, who is also known as Nimsdai, posted on social media: &quot;The full team are now back... All safe and sound... It has been an overwhelming journey.&quot;



PHOTO: FACEBOOK/@NimsPurja

Thaneshwor Guragain from Seven Summit Treks, a leading mountaineering company behind one of the expeditions, said more climbers are still hoping to reach the top.

Unlike Mount Everest, which has been topped by thousands of climbers young and old, K2 is a much lonelier place. But this winter, dozens of adventurers converged on the mountain hoping to take the record.

K2 is known as the &quot;Savage Mountain&quot; because of its punishing conditions: winds can blow at more than 200 kilometres per hour (125 miles per hour), and temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 Fahrenheit).

Also Read:&nbsp;Pakistan felicitates Nepalese climbers on first winter K2 ascent

The descent can be just as dangerous as going up.

Saturday&#39;s successful summit was overshadowed by the death of a Spanish climber from another team, Sergi Mingote, lower down the perilous peak.

His body was evacuated from base camp on Sunday to nearby Skardu city by an army helicopter, the Alpine Club of Pakistan&#39;s Karrar Haidri told AFP.

Mingote was at an intermediate camp and fell on his way down to the base camp, injuring his leg, according to his team.

Purja said his team were &quot;deeply saddened to hear that we have lost a friend&quot; and added, &quot;Rest in peace my brother!&quot;

The 10 Nepali climbers had been spread across different expeditions at the start, but formed a new group in order to claim the summit in Nepal&#39;s name, singing the national anthem as they reached the top.

Despite being famed for their climbing expertise, there has never before been a Nepali climber on the first winter ascent of a peak higher than 8,000 metres.]]>
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			<title>Bulgarian climber dies during expedition on Pakistan's K2</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282795/bulgarian-climber-dies-during-expedition-on-pakistans-k2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2282795/bulgarian-climber-dies-during-expedition-on-pakistans-k2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 21 14:30:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[AFP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2282795</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Atanas Skatov’s body flown by a Pakistani military helicopter to the nearby city of Skardu]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A Bulgarian mountaineer fell to his death during an expedition on Pakistan&#39;s K2, his team said Friday, the second person to die on the world&#39;s second highest mountain in weeks.

Seven Summit Treks &mdash; a trekking company leading the expedition &mdash; said Atanas Skatov, 42, fell as he was changing ropes during his descent to basecamp.

&quot;[It] seems some errors occurred and he fell down. We had fixed the mountain with new ropes&quot; which were not broken, Seven Summit Treks said in a statement.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan also confirmed the incident, saying his body was later recovered and flown by a Pakistani military helicopter to the nearby city of Skardu.

&quot;We pay homage to the strength and spirit of our climber -- his feat and his relentless will to (reach) the top will never be forgotten!&quot; the Bulgarian foreign ministry said in a statement.




The Bulgarian Atanas Skatov died after suffering a significant fall when he descended to Camp 3 K2, after a night with very bad weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/tnqFkf066C
&mdash; Moises Lopez (@chapoisat) February 5, 2021



&nbsp;

Skatov is the second climber to die on K2&#39;s slopes this season after a Spanish mountaineer fell to his death last month.

A third climber &mdash; Russian-American Alex Goldfarb &mdash; also died on a nearby mountain during an acclimatising mission ahead of a bid to scale Broad Peak in January.

Skatov&#39;s death comes just weeks after a team of Nepali climbers made history on K2 when they became the first to scale it in winter.

K2 is known as the &quot;Savage Mountain&quot; because of its punishing conditions: winds can blow at more than 200 kilometres per hour (125 miles per hour), and temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 Fahrenheit).

With Pakistan&#39;s borders open and with few other places to go, this winter an unprecedented four teams totalling around 60 climbers have converged on the mountain, more than all previous expeditions put together.

Unlike Mount Everest, which has been topped by thousands of climbers young and old, K2 is much less travelled.]]>
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			<title>Body of missing Russian-American climber found near K2</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2280557/body-of-missing-russian-american-climber-found-near-k2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2280557/body-of-missing-russian-american-climber-found-near-k2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jan 21 09:20:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2280557</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Photographs of the climber's body were sent to his family for positive verification]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The body of American-Russian climber,&nbsp;Alex Goldfarb, has been found in the Gilgit-Baltistan region after a day&#39;s search as rescue attempts were hampered by poor weather.&nbsp;

Goldfarb was attempting to climb Broad Peak, located around 8km away from K2. Authorities have also confirmed that the body of the climber has been recovered.&nbsp;

According to a local tourist company,&nbsp;Goldfarb had reached the summit of Pastore peak, at an altitude of more than 6,000 metres with his fellow climber Zoltan Slanko.&nbsp;

Read:&nbsp;Nepalese climbers create history by reaching K2&#39;s summit in winter

Slanko then decided to return due to poor weather, however,&nbsp;Goldfarb continued with his journey. His last radio message was also received from around that location. No further radio contact was established with the climber.

Photographs of the climber&#39;s body were sent to his family for positive verification.

A total of 58 climbers from 18 countries, including five women, took part in the campaign to conquer K2 during the current winter season. So far, three climbers have been injured and are out of the expedition. While another climber, Sergio Mengot, fell during the expedition and later&nbsp;succumbed to his injuries.]]>
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			<title>PML-N issues white paper on ‘rigging’ in G-B polls</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2279990/pml-n-issues-white-paper-on-rigging-in-g-b-polls</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2279990/pml-n-issues-white-paper-on-rigging-in-g-b-polls#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 21 18:48:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Khalid Mehmood]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gilgit-Baltistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2279990</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says matter will now be decided by the PDM]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday issued a white paper on the alleged rigging in the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Legislative Assembly polls and warned the incumbent regime of &ldquo;dire consequences&rdquo; if &ldquo;such practice&rdquo; was adopted in the Azad Kashmir polls.

&ldquo;A &lsquo;selected&rsquo; government has been imposed through undemocratic means in Gilgit-Baltistan,&rdquo; PML-N Secretary General Ahsan Iqbal said while addressing a news conference in the federal capital.

He was flanked by other party leaders including Khurram Dastgir, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman and Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Ahsan said he had repeatedly warned that G-B strategically and politically was a &ldquo;sensitive&rdquo; region and that it was absolutely crucial to hold &ldquo;free and fair elections&rdquo; according to the wishes of the people there.

He alleged that every code of conduct marked by the election commission was violated during the G-B polls as the premier and the ministers visited the region, which he said was against the law.

&ldquo;Yet, the PTI could not even get simple majority and had to &lsquo;beg&rsquo; the independents to join them to make the government. The long-term results of this could be devastating for the country,&rdquo; he said.

The PML-N leader warned the ruling party of resorting to &ldquo;unfair means&rdquo; during the elections in Azad Kashmir and maintained that the PML-N would guard the sanctity of the vote like &ldquo;lions&rdquo; at all the polling stations and will not let the mandate of the people get &ldquo;robbed again&rdquo;.

G-B former chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman said that they were handing over the white paper to the PDM, which would now fight their case.

The PTI had emerged victorious on 10 seats in the G-B elections which were held in November last year. Seven seats were won by independent candidates while the JUI and MWM secured one seat each.

The PPP and PML-N &mdash; both of which had levelled allegations of rigging &mdash; held five and three seats, respectively.

PTI formed government in the region after the independent candidates joined the ruling party and seat adjustment with the MWM.

Khalid Khurshid Khan of the PTI was elected as chief minister of the G-B while PPP&rsquo;s Amjad Hussain as leader of the opposition.]]>
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			<title>Federal govt mulls over uplift package for G-B</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2279852/federal-govt-mulls-over-uplift-package-for-g-b</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2279852/federal-govt-mulls-over-uplift-package-for-g-b#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jan 21 18:59:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Irshad Ansari]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2279852</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[More than a dozen sectors of region will be included in development scheme]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The federal government along with the Gilgit-Baltistan administration mulled over announcing a comprehensive development package for more than a dozen sectors of the region, including power, infrastructure, tourism, trade, e-commerce, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, Information Technology, telecommunication and health.

According to sources, other sectors of G-B, including management of hospital, minerals, small industries, development of private sector, women and youth, eradication of poverty, social welfare and education were also part of the package.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar and attended by G-B Chief Minister Khalid Khursheed, according to the source.

Under the Planning Commission deputy chairman, an inter-ministerial committee was constituted to prepare the development plan while an apex committee led by G-B chief minister was formed for execution and supervision of the projects.

During the course of meeting, Umar noted the uplift of underdeveloped areas of the region was neglected for long, while it was one of the top priorities of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf government.

He vowed the federal government along with the administration of the region would devise a joint strategy for people of G-B and directed the departments concerned to work on probable projects under a public-private partnership.

On the occasion, the G-B chief minister lauded the initiative taken by the federal government for people of the region and hoped that projects under the uplift package would commence and complete in due time.]]>
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