GILGIT: An old route to Gilgit-Baltistan, Bungalow Babusar Track, near Babusar Top in Diamer district has been opened for tourists.

The 3km track was the historical route between River Kunhar and River Indus and it remained for years the only jeep route to connect GB with the rest of the country till 1960s.

After rehabilitation and improvement, the track was opened for tourists on Sunday.

Deputy Commissioner of Diamer Fayyaz Ahmed inaugurated the track during a ceremony which was attended by officials of the district administration and local people.

The people who attended the ceremony travelled from Sarai Babusar to Laisko and passed through shops of handicrafts and other items set up on the track.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Ahmed said that the opening of Bungalow Babusar Track will make tourists able to visit the Babusar’s historic APA House, Old Bungalow Bazaar and other tourist attractions in the area.

He said the opening of the track will give a boost to tourism in the area and businesses of local traders.

He said Babusar is a very famous tourism destination and a large number of tourists and the GB people cross the point every day.

The deputy commissioner vowed to make the route a tourism hub in the area and provide all facilities to it. Shops of local and traditional items will be established at both sides of the track.

GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan and Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed recently issued directives to the local administration to develop new tourist destinations across GB.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2022