Federal Takeover of Seven Gilgit‑Baltistan Roads Aims to Revive Tourism

In a move that’s being watched closely by hoteliers, tour operators and even the occasional trekker, the federal government announced plans to take over seven crucial road links in Gilgit‑Baltistan. The routes, together stretching about 464 kilometres, will be built, widened, rehabilitated and kept in shape by the National Highway Authority (NHA), all in the name of a stronger tourism push.

The idea was first floated by Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan, who approached the GB cabinet with a proposal that the central government shoulder the responsibility for these highways. After the GB cabinet gave its nod and a memorandum of understanding was signed, the plan now awaits a final nod from the federal cabinet.

What are the roads in question? They include the 54‑km Astore‑Chilim Chowki stretch, the 31‑km Deosai‑Skardu link, the 100‑km Skardu‑Khaplu road, the 17‑km Skardu (Thorgu)‑Shigar route and the 36‑km Karakoram Highway segment from Naltar to Satrangi Lake. Two longer sections – the 121‑km Thalichi‑Astore‑Rattu‑Shounter road and the 105‑km Gorikot‑Shagarthang‑Skardu corridor – are already under construction and will also fall under the federal umbrella.

Why now? Gilgit‑Baltistan’s spectacular scenery has long been a magnet for adventure seekers, yet the region’s road network has been hampered by landslides, flash floods, avalanches and even glacial‑lake outburst floods. When a road gets blocked, tourists can be stranded for days and local residents are left scrambling for supplies. The federal takeover promises a more robust, better‑funded maintenance regime that could keep those mountain passes open year‑round.

Funding, you ask? The centre will foot the bill for construction, widening and ongoing upkeep – a shift from the previous arrangement where the GB government shouldered those costs. There’s also talk of a modest toll on tourists, with a blanket exemption for local commuters. Money collected from the toll would be funneled straight back into the road network, creating a self‑sustaining cycle of improvement.

Local stakeholders have welcomed the announcement with cautious optimism. Ikram Baig, president of the GB Association of Tour Operators, said the new arrangement could finally tackle the chronic road‑blockage problem that has long scared away visitors. “Every time a road closes, we lose not just tourists but also the livelihood of people who depend on them,” he noted.

Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, a member of the Alpine Club of Pakistan and owner of a guest house, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that reliable connectivity is the backbone of any thriving tourism sector. Even hotel manager Asghar Khan of Serena Hotel pointed out that many travellers cancel trips altogether when they hear about unpredictable road conditions.

GB Tourism Minister Naiknaam Karim believes that with the NHA’s larger pool of resources and technical expertise, the region’s roads will finally get the attention they deserve. “Accessibility is the key to unlocking our tourism potential,” he said, adding that the federal involvement could usher in a new era of development for remote mountain communities.

All eyes now turn to the federal cabinet’s decision. If approved, the NHA will step in, and, with steady funding and a new toll system, the hope is that Gilgit‑Baltistan’s breathtaking landscapes will become easier to reach – and stay reachable – for everyone.