THE completion of the Gilgit-Skardu road has made it one of the most picturesque routes anywhere in Pakistan. This is the old Silk Route that connected Central Asian regions with the rest of the world. Back in the day, the route was a deadly affair. Now, in its modern avatar, the road, quite ironically, has become even deadlier, and I tell you why.

The road is so smooth for driving that people tend to speed up their journey while enjoying the scenic route. A moment of inattention is enough to cause a major accident, especially near the Asmani Mor in the Rondu region of Gilgit-Baltistan. The road has many twists and turns, as it zig-zags through mountain ranges.

The relevant authorities should take immediate steps to avoid such tragedies by imposing and enforcing a strict speed limit by putting up speed-checking cameras. Also, the fitness of vehicles used by travel companies needs to be ensured on a regular basis.

Qasim Jamie
Skardu

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2023