The key water-related issues faced by Pakistan are that of mismanagement and population growth more than water scarcity itself, argues Amir Hussain in his latest column published in The News. He suggests a strong network of researchers, policymakers, and communities in the Indus Basin region to mitigate the risks posed by climate change to the ecosystem.     by Amir Hussain …

Death toll surges to 110 in recent devastating snow and weather-related incidents

Two references are under trial in a NAB court in Gilgit against the accused for their role in Rs48.28m   Herald Report   The country’s top anti-graft body has filed a corruption reference against four retired officers of the Gilgit-Baltistan’s Forest Department for inflicting over Rs48 million loss to the national exchequer by allowing the transportation of illegally cut timber. …

By Pamela Constable An American trophy hunter has sparked outrage after reportedly paying $110,000 for a permit to kill a rare mountain goat in Pakistan, before posing with the dead animal after the hunt. A video posted to social media shows Bryan Kinsel Harlan climbing through mountains in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit region, before shooting at the goat, high-fiving with guides …

HAH Correspondent GILGIT: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed separate references against the officials of Gilgit-Baltistan Forest Department for violating the timber policy and inflicting Rs156 million losses to the national kitty. The bureau’s spokesperson stated that NAB Rawalpindi’s sub-office in Gilgit has filed the references in the accountability court of the GB against the former Gilgit conservator Muhammad Ismail Zafar, …

By Hussain Ahmad Siddiqui It is hard to believe, but it is a reality that, in spite of being rich in water resources and having tremendous potential of developing hydropower generation, Gilgit-Baltistan with a population of about 2 million, has been experiencing worst kind of power outages like any other part of Pakistan. The residents, primarily the households, brace with …

After a strenuous hike that lasted for an hour, I came to a grinding halt. I had only covered a 1.5km distance. With the sun out in full blazing glory and the treeless plateau of Deosai lending no place to hide, the weight on my back was bearing down hard. It was impossible to keep pace with the occasional cloud …

Sectarian differences were politicised in Gilgit-Baltistan for the first time in the election of the erstwhile Northern Areas Council in 1988. The election in 1988 in the constituency of Gilgit-1 was contested between Wajahat Hassan Khan and Sumbul Shah. The former was a Shia and son of Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan – one of the heroes of the war for …