GILGIT: Fresh water lakes in Gilgit-Baltistan have been frozen turning them into playgrounds for children as temperature in the region has dropped to as low as minus 14 degree Celsius.

Khalti Lake, located in Gupis valley of Ghizer district, usually remains frozen from November to March, giving children ample space to play games.

Yaqoob Taj, a resident of Ghizer, told Dawn on Tuesday the lake was a kilometre long and 90-foot deep, offering children an opportunity to play games and dance on local music fearlessly.

Taj said cricket and football were the most popular games played on the frozen lakes, besides the local games. He said not only children but also elders visited the lake, enjoyed foods and indulged in pastime. “The lake also provides fresh drinking water to local population,” he said.

Safdar Ali Safdar, a social worker, said it was an adventure playing on the frozen lakes. “Locals even drive bikes at the lake,” he said, adding if the tourism department took interest, the lake could become a tourist point in winter.

While outsiders are extra cautious playing or sitting on the lake, local people do so without fear as they know the ice depth.

There are other lakes like Baltoro, Hispar, Sadpara, and Attabad, which usually freeze in winter.

AGE LIMIT RELAXED: The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Tuesday relaxed age limit for recruitment in government jobs to 35 years.

The maximum age limit for government job was 33 in the region as against the 28 to 30 years in centre.

GB Governor Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan signed a summary in this regard to raise the upper age limit for public jobs from 32 to 35 years. The summary was sent by Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman.

Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution last year demanding raise in age limit in government jobs from 33 to 35 years.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2017