By Shafqat Aziz By leaving the posh but artificial localities of Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and travelling almost 200km towards the north, you enter a new land now known as Gilgit-Baltistan. It’s a land full of natural marvels, highest mountains of the world, the splendid glaciers, breathtaking rivers and hills and plains habitats of many of the world’s …

https://youtu.be/0docWadtm4g   PTI govt’s foreign policy has left Pakistan isolated on world stage: Bilawal   Herald Correspondent SKARDU: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday blasted the PTI-led government for what he called flawed foreign and domestic policies. He also lambasted the Indian government for the clampdown in occupied Kashmir and arrests of political leaders and activists. “[Narendar] …

Article 370 enabled Kashmir to give land to the tiller. Today, that freedom is gone by Nyla Ali Khan The recent unilateral decision of Prime Minister Modi’s government to revoke Article 370 — which guaranteed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir — the dismemberment of the state, and its diminishment are, to my mind, flagrant violations of the sovereign Constitution of …

Herald Report Islamabad: Left parties and women organizations of Pakistan have condemned the Indian government’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy. In a statement, it will escalate tensions in the region and will affect tens of millions of working class and women in the two countries. AWP: The Awami Workers Party AWP), a Left party, condemned the Indian government move, saying, …

Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir reflects on Chitral’s place in what was once a largely Buddhist region Fatehul Mulk Ali Nasir Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was once Gandhara, one of the earliest centres of Buddhism. The Peshawar Valley, in particular, has several archaeological sites dating to the Buddhist era with Takht Bhai in Mardan and Ranigat in Swabi being among the most well known. …

Farman Baltistani SKARDU, May 2: A top army officer has said that ban on entry of tourists in restricted zones in Baltistan has been lifted to promote tourism in the region. “There were restricton on entry of domestic and foreign tourists in Kharmang, Tchorbat, Siachen, Gultary and Astore valleys which have now been lifted,” announced Force Commander Gilgit Baltistan Maj-General Ahsan …

In Gilgit-Baltistan, exists a remarkable oasis with high literacy rates and gender equality. By Sam Dalrymple In the disputed Karakoram mountains, the isolated Hunza valley feels cut off from the fractious politics surrounding it. As one approaches 8,200 feet, pine forests and orchards envelop villages that glint orange with apricots drying on their rooftops. The blue and mustard shuttlecock burqas, …

Govt to table the proposed GB 2019 Act in upcoming session of the lower house of parliament: NA body told  ISLAMABAD: The government will table the proposed reforms bill for Gilgit-Baltistan in the upcoming National Assembly session for debate and approval, reported APP, the state-owned news service. It was revealed by the state minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Amin Gandapur during the maiden meeting …

By Haider Ali The electricity crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan’s major cities is getting a worse crippling civic, commercial and social life. Frequent protests by the residents and political activists in GB and other cities of Pakistan have fallen on deaf ears and the power department officials seem unmoved of the woes of the people, especially the students and patients. Whenever there …

Awami Action Committee Baltistan chapter to launch movement against GB division, revival of Numbardari system Herald Correspondent SKARDU: The Awami Action Committee Baltistan chapter has opposed division of Gilgit-Baltistan and revival of the numbardari system described it a move to grab public land and resources and to strengthen the bureaucratic system in the disputed mountainous region. “A conspiracy is being …