DURING the Gilgit-Baltistan local assembly election campaign in 2015, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had promised to construct a wide, metalled road for the people of GB.
In its present condition, the road from Skardu to Gilgit is very dangerous to travel on. Constructed in the 1960s by the army, no work other than basic maintenance has been done on it since then. Many accidents occur regularly on this stretch of road, resulting in the loss of many lives.
Locals are subjected to high commodity prices, as transporters charge a higher rate to travel on the Gilgit-Skardu Road, given its condition. The region’s tourism industry is also negatively impacted by this, as the inaccessible and dangerous route keep many tourists away from visiting sights such as Satpara Lake, Deosai Plains, K2, Siachin, the Shigar and Khaplu forts and glaciers.
This road is also significant for strategic defence reasons. The military relies on this road to travel and transport machinery to their bases. Many people appreciate the climate, landscape and hospitality of the people of GB – but their one complaint is this road.
The current PML-N government in GB had promised to improve the Gilgit-Skardu Road. It has has yet to fulfil its promise. The GB people request the government to do the needful without any delay.
Muhammad Zafar Sagar
Skardu
Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2016
