GILGIT: While the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which was blocked due to a landslide in the Lotar area of Kohistan district for days, has been reopened for traffic, Baltistan road was blocked again in the Shangus area of Skardu on Wednesday.

According to the National Highway Authority, following the instructions by Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, the NHA chairman constituted three teams to clear the KKH.

In collaboration with the local administration, Frontier Works Organisation reopened the KKH for traffic on Tuesday night after which stranded passengers on both sides of the highway resumed their journey.

Meanwhile, Baltistan road, which had been reopened on Tuesday after a previous landslide, was blocked again on Wednesday in the Shangus area. According to the local administration, the road is expected to be cleared for traffic in a day. Meanwhile, light snowfall was recorded in upper areas of Gilgit-Baltistan on Wednesday, while lower areas received light rain. The Met Office has forecast snowfall and rain until March 16.

GB chief minister calls for comprehensive policy to boost trade with China

Pak-China trade

GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has directed the formulation of a comprehensive policy to enhance Pakistan-China trade through Khunjerab Pass and support traders.

According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the chief minister issued the directives while chairing a meeting on Pak-China trade. The meeting was attended by CM’s special assistant Muhammad Ali Quaid, Customs Collector Ghulam Mustafa, the GB home secretary, and other senior officials.

The chief minister highlighted that a significant portion of GB’s population depends on Pak-China trade for their livelihoods due to limited private-sector opportunities in the region. He stressed the need to facilitate local traders within the legal framework.

The CM directed that a comprehensive policy should be formulated in consultation with all stakeholders to boost Pak-China trade.

Meanwhile, a meeting was held at Sost Dry Port, attended by customs officials, representatives from the GB Importers and Exporters Association, Small Traders Association, Hunza and Nagar chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders to discuss trade-related challenges.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue consultations to resolve traders’ concerns.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2025