THERE has been yet another traffic tragedy on the Gilgit-Skardu road, claiming the lives of 26 people. Such accidents are a common occurence in the mountainous regions of Pakistan, mainly owing to an insufficient enforcement of traffic safety standards and the poor and dilapidated infrastructure on battered mountain roads.

The Frontier Works Organisation is yet to complete the project, which envisages five tunnels on the Gilgit-Skardu road which will make commuting safer in the area.

Having said that, often the operators of public transport drive in a rash manner which was why the ill-fated coach met this tragic end.

Furthermore, medical facilities at Rondo hospital are rudimentary to say the least. This is why some of the injured passengers brought to this hospital people could not survive.

This is a request to the Gilgit-Baltistan authorities to ensure better road safety standards and medical facilities.

Jahangir Karamat

Skardu

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2020