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                        <title>Get The Latest News Updates Of Gilgit Baltistan - The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>10-way contest in Skardu by-polls today</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627546/10-way-contest-in-skardu-by-polls-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627546/10-way-contest-in-skardu-by-polls-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 26 20:46:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2627546</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Contest comes after a legal dispute over Nashad's eligibility]]>
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				<![CDATA[Polling for the by-election in GBA-09, Skardu-III, is scheduled to take place today (Saturday), with around 33,000 voters eligible to cast their ballots in a contest featuring 10 candidates, including nominees of the PPP and PML-N, as well as an independent candidate.

The by-election was ordered by the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Election Commission after the G-B Supreme Appellate Court disqualified PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad, who had been declared the returned candidate from the constituency in the June general elections.

Nashad&#39;s son, Akhtar Abbas, is contesting the by-election on the PPP ticket, while Mohammad Ajmal is the PML-N candidate. Former minister Mohammad Saleem is contesting as an independent, among the 10 candidates who filed nomination papers.

According to the election schedule, polling will be held from 8am to 5pm. The G-B Election Commission has said arrangements for security, deployment of polling staff and other requirements have been completed.

G-B Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said the commission was determined to conduct transparent, impartial and peaceful elections and provide voters with facilities to cast their votes without fear. District Returning Officer Hamza Murad said arrangements and the security plan had been finalised.

The constituency has 61 polling stations, of which 25 have been declared sensitive in Category A, 11 classified as medium under Category B, and 25 categorised as normal under Category C, according to the DRO. Personnel from the Police, G-B Scouts and armed forces have been for security, Murad said.

The contest comes after a legal dispute over Nashad&#39;s eligibility. His opponent, Zakir Hussain, challenged his eligibility to become a member of the assembly.]]>
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			<title>NDMA forecasts severe rain, potential flooding in K-P, G-B, AJK over next 72 hours</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627299/ndma-forecasts-severe-rain-potential-flooding-in-k-p-g-b-ajk-over-next-72-hours</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2627299/ndma-forecasts-severe-rain-potential-flooding-in-k-p-g-b-ajk-over-next-72-hours#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 26 17:50:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[APP]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Intense rainfall in the mountainous regions can trigger sharp rises in rivers, streams and seasonal nullahs]]>
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				<![CDATA[The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned on Thursday of a potential flood situation over the next 72 hours as heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds were expected across Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir,&nbsp;and upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, prompting authorities to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures to protect vulnerable communities.

According to the latest NEOC alert, intense rainfall in the mountainous regions could trigger sharp rises in rivers, streams and seasonal nullahs, while landslides, flash floods and debris flows might pose additional risks in vulnerable areas.

Gilgit, Diamer, Ghizer, Hunza, Astore, Skardu and Shigar were among the areas facing the possibility of sudden flooding. In AJK, vulnerable areas included Bagh, Poonch, Muzaffarabad, Haveli, Bhimber, Sudhanoti, Mirpur and Kotli.

In K-P, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Bajaur, Mohmand, Shangla, Battagram, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur might also experience sudden flooding following intense rainfall.

Read: Heavy rain, landslides feared across northern areas: NDMA

The weather system could also trigger urban flooding in Nowshera, Peshawar, Swabi and Mardan, with low-lying areas and connecting roads particularly vulnerable to inundation.

The NEOC forecasted increased flows in the Indus, Kabul, Swat, Panjkora, Kurram, Tochi, Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers during the next 72 hours.



⚠️ Weather Warning: Heavy rainfall during 03 Sept (night) to 05 Sept may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas, flash flooding in local streams/nullahs, and landslides in vulnerable hilly regions. Stay alert and follow PMD updates.#PMD #HeavyRain #FlashFlood #WeatherWarning pic.twitter.com/CZ06Lw3PBY
&mdash; Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) September 3, 2026


Rising water levels were also expected at several points along major rivers and adjoining streams and nullahs.

In Rawalpindi and Islamabad, rainfall could cause a significant surge in the flow of Nullah Lai, raising the risk of flooding in low-lying localities.

Relevant authorities were directed to remain vigilant and ensure timely preventive measures.

The NDMA placed particular emphasis on preparedness in mountainous areas, where monsoon rains could rapidly trigger landslides, debris flows and flash floods.

Local administrations were instructed to pre-position essential resources in vulnerable locations and keep safe evacuation arrangements ready.

The authority also advised residents, tourists and travellers in flood-prone areas to stay away from riverbanks, streams, seasonal waterways and other vulnerable locations.

Unnecessary travel should be avoided, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.



ممکنہ سیلابی صورتحال &mdash; آئندہ 72 گھنٹوں کے لیے الرٹ
نیشنل ڈیزاسٹر مینجمنٹ اتھارٹی (NDMA) کے نیشنل ایمرجنسیز آپریشن سینٹر (NEOC) نے آئندہ 2 سے 3 روز کے دوران ممکنہ سیلابی صورتحال کے پیش نظر الرٹ جاری کر دیا ہے۔
🌧️ گلگت بلتستان، آزاد کشمیر اور خیبر پختونخوا کے بالائی علاقوں میں تیز&hellip; pic.twitter.com/xJxMF7Coo5
&mdash; APP (@appcsocialmedia) September 3, 2026


The NDMA cautioned the public against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges, nullahs or fast-moving water either on foot or in vehicles.

Even shallow but swift-moving water could be powerful enough to sweep away people and vehicles.

Travellers were advised to check the latest weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out.

People were also urged to avoid roads closed by the administration and strictly follow traffic and safety advisories.

The NDMA said it was maintaining continuous coordination with relevant authorities and providing timely information, forecasts and early warnings to facilitate proactive response and minimise the impact of possible flooding.

The public had been advised to monitor official weather updates and district administration instructions and use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app for timely alerts.

In case of a flood emergency, citizens were advised to dial 911 for assistance.]]>
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			<title>Snowfall forces suspension of rescue efforts to recover Dr Asma Mushtaq’s body from Spantik</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2625398/snowfall-forces-suspension-of-rescue-efforts-to-recover-dr-asma-mushtaqs-body-from-spantik</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2625398/snowfall-forces-suspension-of-rescue-efforts-to-recover-dr-asma-mushtaqs-body-from-spantik#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 26 08:53:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Gilgit-Baltistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Minister Attaullah Tarar says helicopter has been authorised, coordination being done between G-B Government and FCNA]]>
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				<![CDATA[Snowfall at Spantik forced the suspension of efforts to recover the body of Pakistani climber Dr Asma Mushtaq, with the recovery team reaching camp 2 before being advised to return to base camp and wait for a suitable weather window, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Sunday.

According to an earlier statement issued on Friday, the ACP announced that Dr Asma had died during her descent from Spantik after successfully reaching the 7,027-metre summit. The club said, &quot;she had suffered serious high-altitude sickness at around 6,400 metres, which apparently led to her death&quot;.

In the latest statement, the club said Dr Asma&rsquo;s body remained at an altitude of about 6,400 metres, while approval for a helicopter &ldquo;mercy mission&rdquo; was also being sought on humanitarian grounds with the support of the Pakistan Army.





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In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said high-altitude porters were expected to reach Camp 3 and bring Dr Asma&rsquo;s body down to Base Camp by Monday. However, the rescue team had reached almost Camp 3 before severe weather, heavy snowfall and strong winds forced it to turn back and return to Camp 2.



Update on retrieval of Dr Asma&#39;s body from Spantik Mountain in the Karakoram range:

High Altitude Porters were expected to reach Camp-3 for retrieval of the body of Dr.Asma and bring it down to base camp by tomorrow.

The rescue team reached almost near Camp 3, but due to&hellip; https://t.co/ptpuCOcFQp
&mdash; Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) August 23, 2026



&ldquo;Heli has been authorised, and coordination has been done between G-B Government and FCNA,&rdquo; Tarar said. He added that alternative arrangements were also in place and that &ldquo;Whatever can be done in these circumstances, will be done.&rdquo;

Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was being kept updated on the situation.

Earlier, the ACP had said it was seeking approval for a helicopter &ldquo;mercy mission&rdquo; on humanitarian grounds, with the support of the Pakistan Army.

&ldquo;The recovery operation is being coordinated by Dr Asma&rsquo;s own expedition company in coordination with all institutions including Tourism Dept, local govt and ACP,&rdquo; the clubs statement said. It added that the recovery team consisted of &ldquo;climbers from different teams&rdquo;.

The Alpine Club said the priority remained the &ldquo;safe and dignified recovery&rdquo; of Dr Asma&rsquo;s body and urged people to refrain from spreading misinformation or making unverified claims about the operation.

&ldquo;The priority is the safe and dignified recovery of Dr Asma&rsquo;s body,&rdquo; it said, adding, &ldquo;Let it be the priority.&quot;

The club said the circumstances surrounding Dr Asma&rsquo;s death, as well as the conduct and response of the expedition company, would be investigated once the teams had safely returned and her body had been recovered.

&ldquo;Any necessary action will follow the findings of that investigation,&rdquo; it added.

The Alpine Club also clarified its role in the recovery operation, saying it was Pakistan&rsquo;s national federation for mountaineering and sport climbing. &ldquo;Its mandate is to promote, facilitate, coordinate mountaineering, hiking, other adventure sports and assist govt in policy making for safe mountaineering, training and rescue,&rdquo; it said.

Read: Mountaineer&#39;s body recovered on Broad Peak

&ldquo;It is not itself a rescue organisation with dedicated resources. Search, rescue and other relevant activities depend upon govt resources,&rdquo; the club added. The club said Pakistan currently lacked &ldquo;a dedicated, properly established high-altitude rescue system&rdquo;.

&ldquo;We are working with the relevant authorities to help develop an effective rescue framework and support improvements to the country&rsquo;s mountaineering infrastructure under the new leadership of the club,&rdquo; it said.

Dr Asma killed on Spantik

According to an earlier statement issued on Friday, the ACP had announced Dr Asma&rsquo;s death after she fell ill during her descent from Spantik, a 7,027-metre peak in the Karakoram.





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The club said Dr Asma had &ldquo;successfully reached the summit of Spantik in good health&rdquo; but suffered &ldquo;a serious high-altitude sickness&rdquo; at approximately 6,400 metres during her descent, which &ldquo;apparently took her life&rdquo;.

The ACP said it acknowledged &ldquo;the courage, dedication and efforts of the support staff who tried to save her life&rdquo;.

&ldquo;The President, Secretary General and entire team of ACP extend their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and loved ones of Mrs Asma Mushtaq,&rdquo; it said.

The club prayed that Allah would &ldquo;grant her eternal peace&rdquo; and give her family &ldquo;strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss&rdquo;.

Broad Peak rescue mission

The latest recovery effort followed a deadly avalanche on Broad Peak on 30 July that struck a 10-member international expedition as it climbed from Camp 2 to Camp 3. The avalanche left all 10 climbers missing, with climbers from Nepal, the UK, China, the US, Oman and Pakistan among those affected.

The Alpine Club of Pakistan said the bodies of eight climbers had since been recovered, including Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, whose body was found by local volunteers from Shigar during an independent search. Five of the recovered bodies, including those of British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja and three other climbers, were flown to Skardu by a Pakistan Army helicopter on 6 August.

The bodies of three other expedition members had also been airlifted from the mountain earlier in August. Search efforts for the remaining missing climbers continued despite difficult weather conditions, with the Pakistan Army, local rescuers and other authorities involved in the operation.

The tragedy was described as a major loss for the international mountaineering community. Broad Peak, which rises to about 8,051 metres in Pakistan&#39;s Karakoram range, is the world&#39;s 12th-highest mountain and is considered one of the more technically demanding 8,000-metre peaks.]]>
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			<title>Body of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi recovered from Broad Peak</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623682/body-of-pakistani-climber-sohail-sakhi-recovered-from-broad-peak</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2623682/body-of-pakistani-climber-sohail-sakhi-recovered-from-broad-peak#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 26 10:07:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2623682</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Body was recovered by a group of local volunteers from Shigar who were searching the area on their own initiative]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The body of Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, who had been missing since an avalanche struck Broad Peak on July 30, was recovered during a search operation, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Thursday.

The avalanche struck a 10-member international expedition led by 43-year-old British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja as the team ascended from Camp 2 to Camp 3 on Broad Peak, the world&rsquo;s 12th-highest mountain. All 10 climbers from Nepal, the United Kingdom, China, the United States, Oman and Pakistan were reported missing after contact with the expedition was lost.

According to the ACP, Sakhi&rsquo;s body was found by a group of local volunteers from Shigar who had been searching the area on their own initiative. The remains were identified as those of Sakhi, a Pakistani climber from Hunza.





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The body was first spotted by Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Bashir and Abuzar, all from Tissar in Shigar. They alerted other volunteers and, with their assistance, carried the body from Camp 1 to the base camp, the ACP said in an Instagram post.

&ldquo;If weather permits, the body will be transported by helicopter today,&rdquo; the club said. Sakhi was among 10 climbers reported missing after the avalanche struck the 8,047-metre peak in Pakistan&rsquo;s Karakoram range.

With Sakhi&rsquo;s body recovered, eight of the 10 missing climbers have now been found, while two remain unaccounted for.

Search efforts are continuing despite difficult weather conditions, with the Pakistan Army, local rescuers and other relevant authorities taking part in the operation.

Read: Bodies of Nirmal Purja team recovered from Broad Peak

On August 6, the bodies of five international climbers, including renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, were flown to Skardu by a Pakistan Army helicopter.

A week earlier, the ACP had announced that the bodies of Purja, Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa and Kilu Sherpa had been successfully recovered after what it described as an &quot;exceptionally challenging and technically demanding recovery operation&quot; and transported to the mountain&#39;s base camp.

The remains of three other members of the expedition &mdash; an American woman, an Omani woman and a Nepali climber &mdash; had already been airlifted from the mountain to Skardu earlier this month.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community. The president of Nepal&#39;s National Mountain Guide Association, Tul Singh Gurung, said the climbing world had &quot;lost a generation of accomplished mountaineers&quot;.

Broad Peak, the world&#39;s 12th-highest mountain at 8,051 metres, is located in Pakistan&#39;s Karakoram range and is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding of the world&#39;s 8,000-metre peaks. It was first summited in 1957 by an Austrian expedition.]]>
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			<title>G-B taps satellite tech for glacier watch</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622515/g-b-taps-satellite-tech-for-glacier-watch</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2622515/g-b-taps-satellite-tech-for-glacier-watch#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 26 23:05:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Gilgit-Baltistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2622515</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA['Addressing climate challenges requires practical action rather than dialogue alone,' says Raja Nasir Ali Khan]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As accelerated glacier retreat, catastrophic GLOFs, and shifting waterways threaten the fragile mountain communities of Gilgit-Baltistan, provincial policymakers are increasingly turning to satellite intelligence to mitigate impending climate disasters.

With the region&#39;s cryosphere melting at an unprecedented rate, the urgency of moving from manual ground monitoring to advanced geospatial tracking took center stage on Wednesday at the Second Regional Symposium on the &quot;Space4Climate&quot; initiative.

Organised by the Space Applications Center for Climate Sciences (SACCS) of the SUPARCO, the symposium sought to integrate indigenous space technologies into regional climate governance. &quot;Addressing climate challenges requires practical action rather than dialogue alone,&quot; said Raja Nasir Ali Khan, GB&#39;s Minister for Forest, Wildlife, Parks and Environment, who served as the chief guest.]]>
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			<title>Explainer: Floods, closures, cancelled trips? What's really happening on the road to Gilgit-Baltistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615768/explainer-floods-closures-cancelled-trips-whats-really-happening-on-the-road-to-gilgit-baltistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2615768/explainer-floods-closures-cancelled-trips-whats-really-happening-on-the-road-to-gilgit-baltistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 26 15:00:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Fact Check By iVerify]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Govt official says it is the 'ideal time' to visit G-B with no rain or bad weather forecast from July 3 to 13]]>
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				<![CDATA[Every year, as June and July roll in, railway stations, bus stands and airports see a huge influx of passengers across Pakistan &mdash; a majority of them heading up north to escape the scorching heat down south. But this year, many tourists are sceptical: to go or not to go?

The reason behind the confusion? Social media. Since early June, dozens of videos showing dangerous floods, cloudbursts, rains and landslides have been circulating online. Don&rsquo;t go to Gilgit-Baltistan, or so the posts say. Some even urged people to cancel their trips.



On the other hand, social media accounts promoting tourism have been sharing entirely different content, inviting people to visit the lush green meadows and snowcapped peaks of G-B.

So which side of the internet should you trust? Here&rsquo;s what&rsquo;s actually going on, and what to check before you leave.

What tourists saw

iVerify Pakistan reached out to people who recently visited the northern areas.

&ldquo;I heard reports of landslides before setting out and was prepared for the worst &hellip; but by the time we reached the Babusar Top, the roads had already been cleared,&rdquo; said Simran Abeer, who recently returned from a north trip.

Earlier, on June 17, heavy rains triggered landslides and mudflows that temporarily blocked sections of the Karakoram Highway in Diamer and the Baltistan Road in Skardu. Authorities cleared the roads and advised travellers to verify conditions before departing.

The 24-year-old recalled that she did not experience active snowfall during her trip. &ldquo;But I did see snow at the top melting and muddy patches along the road,&rdquo; she told the team over the phone.

Yusra Aiman, 30, who also visited G-B in mid-June, said leaving early in the morning made all the difference for her. &ldquo;Even the drive along the Karakoram Highway was smooth throughout,&rdquo; she pointed out.

Both Simran and Yusra noted that it was not the weather but the protests that stopped them. They recounted delays in Chilas due to road blockades. &ldquo;We were stuck on the road for around 38 hours on June 20 and 21,&rdquo; said Simran, a disruption with nothing to do with the viral weather warnings circulating online.

What&rsquo;s actually happening on the ground

Safi Ullah, deputy director of tourism for G-B, said the picture on social media rarely captures the full reality.

He explained that there are two main routes to Babusar Top: one via the Karakoram Highway through G-B, the other through Naran-Kaghan in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. With the monsoon season now underway, heavy rainfall can trigger flooding, particularly in Diamer district, which experiences warmer temperatures than much of the region.

&ldquo;If rainfall exceeds normal levels, there are chances of flooding in Diamer, which can temporarily block roads for one or two days,&rdquo; he said.

But at the same time, Safi Ullah added that this was not a daily occurrence. &ldquo;Travellers should simply check official advisories before starting their journey,&rdquo; the deputy director advised.

Raza Haider, director north for WWF-Pakistan, offered a similar context on the environmental mechanics. He said such incidents are common in the mountainous region and tend to become more frequent during the monsoon season.

&ldquo;Landslides are a usual phenomenon in G-B. During the monsoon, their frequency increases due to heavy rainfall. The Karakoram Highway is generally open and is only temporarily blocked when landslides occur,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;Temperature changes also cause rocks to expand and contract over time, making them unstable. As a result, rocks can loosen and slide onto roads, particularly in mountainous areas,&rdquo; he explained.

Commenting on the recent cloudburst in Diamer&rsquo;s Thore Valley &mdash; which was widely shared on social media &mdash; Haider clarified that the incident was confined to the valley and did not affect major roads or arteries across G-B.

https://x.com/uthmanrumi2025/status/2070874502247158195

Both experts pointed to the same fix for travel anxiety: check official advisories before setting out. Travellers can also contact the Tourist Police helpline for live updates on road and weather conditions.

&lsquo;Ideal time&rsquo;

Last week, in advisories issued for June 27 to July 3, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of rainfall combined with rapid glacier melt across G-B and K-P, which could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides, debris flow and rising river levels.

Safi Ullah elaborated that the GLOF alerts were directed at remote interior valleys and were not likely to affect the Karakoram Highway itself. In case of rainfall, even if moderate, landslides could still occur on the highway &mdash; but he noted that authorities respond promptly, and roads are usually cleared within 24 to 48 hours.

The deputy director said now was &ldquo;the ideal time to visit GB&rdquo;, with no rain or weather alerts forecast in the 10 days after July 3. However, it must be noted that rain forecasts can never be entirely accurate.

To go or not to go

The reality of G-B in summer is this: localised weather events, landslides, and a cloudburst in Thore Valley-Diamer can temporarily block sections of the Karakoram Highway without shutting down the entire route.

Anyone planning a trip north should check the latest weather forecasts and road conditions before leaving. Follow updates from the PMD, NDMA, and G-B authorities. Avoid travelling during periods of heavy rainfall or when active advisories are in effect.

---------

This article was published by iVerify Pakistan under its initiative tackling myths and disinformation around climate, supported by Irada and IMS

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			<title>Bilawal names PPP’s G-B president for chief minister post</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614361/bilawal-names-ppps-g-b-president-for-chief-minister-post</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614361/bilawal-names-ppps-g-b-president-for-chief-minister-post#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 26 05:56:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Web Desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Gilgit-Baltistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2614361</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP chairman directs focus on government formation and implementation of citizens’ constitutional and economic rights]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari nominated PPP provincial president Advocate Amjad as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, according to a post shared by the party on X.

The PPP said Bilawal held a telephonic conversation with PPP Gilgit-Baltistan President Amjad during which the decision was conveyed.



چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے صوبائی صدر امجد ایڈووکیٹ کو گلگت بلتستان کا وزیراعلی بنانے کا فیصلہ کرلیا

پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا پی پی پی گلگت بلتستان کے صدر امجد ایڈووکیٹ سے ٹیلی فونک رابطہ

چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے امجد&hellip;
&mdash; PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 20, 2026


According to the post, the PPP chairman also issued instructions regarding government formation and the implementation of citizens&rsquo; constitutional and economic rights.

PPP announced on Saturday that it and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had come to an agreement on forming the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan together. The party said it would get the seat of chief minister while the governor, opposition leader and deputy speaker of the G-B Assembly would go to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The PPP has secured the majority of seats emerge as the largest party in the 24-member assembly, followed by the PML-N with six seats.

Read: PPP, PML-N come to agreement on forming G-B govt together

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party has emerged as the third-largest parliamentary group after four independent candidates elected on different constituencies joined its ranks.

At the national level, the post-election situation had prompted political coordination between parties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had congratulated the PPP on its position as the leading party in G-B and indicated that the PML-N would sit in the opposition, while supporting the PPP in forming the government.

Bilawal had welcomed the development, describing it as a continuation of democratic norms and expressing gratitude for the cooperation. He said his party would focus on addressing governance challenges and public concerns in the region.]]>
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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]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![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]]>
			</description>
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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>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>
			<content:encoded>
				<![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>
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				<![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>
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				<![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>
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				<![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>
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				<![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>
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				<![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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