PM Shehbaz to Visit Flood-Hit Gilgit-Baltistan Tomorrow

Download IPFS

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit flood-affected Gilgit-Baltistan on August 5 to assess the damage caused by recent monsoon rains and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which have resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure. A federal relief package is expected to be announced during the visit to support recovery and rehabilitation efforts.

According to Gilgit-Baltistan authorities, heavy rains and GLOFs have impacted 37 areas since June 2025. The region has reported at least 10 fatalities and multiple missing persons, mostly tourists, with estimated damages exceeding Rs20 billion. Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has appealed to the federal government for Rs7 billion in aid to address the crisis, citing limited provincial resources.

Chairing a high-level meeting on August 1, Prime Minister Sharif expressed solidarity with affected communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He directed officials to accelerate relief operations and prioritise the restoration of key infrastructure, including the Karakoram Highway, to ensure timely delivery of aid. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported 295 nationwide fatalities due to monsoon-related disasters, with Gilgit-Baltistan among the hardest hit.

Sharif is expected to meet with regional officials and residents to evaluate on-ground conditions and oversee federal coordination. Gilgit-Baltistan government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq stated that Rs440 million has been allocated for immediate rehabilitation work, including the restoration of water and electricity infrastructure. Rescue operations, supported by the Pakistan Army and Rescue 1122, are ongoing, with more than 300 stranded tourists evacuated.

The visit follows criticism from Chief Minister Khan over the mismanagement of Rs3 billion in federal funds during the 2022 floods, highlighting the need for transparency in aid distribution. Sharif’s visit aims to reinforce federal commitment to disaster preparedness and effective resource allocation in the politically significant but geographically vulnerable region.