Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman has announced new social restrictions as 10 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the region among pilgrims who returned from Iran.

He announced at a presser that local tourists will be barred from visiting the region for 3 weeks while foreign tourists will be allowed to enter after certification.

All markets in the region will be closed from March 21, Rehman announced. He alleged that the number of cases in GB has risen due to "poor arrangements" in Balochistan, where pilgrims entered from Iran.

Opinion

Editorial

Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...
A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...