Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, chaired a high-level meeting at the National Highway Authority (NHA) headquarters to review and approve several transformative road projects across Gilgit-Baltistan.
Emphasizing the region's immense tourism potential, the Minister directed the immediate commencement and upgrading of key routes. Significant approvals include the construction of a 54km road from Astore to Chilam Chowki and a 31km road from Skardu to Deosai. To ensure long-term durability and safety in difficult terrains, the Minister ordered that new roads must maintain a minimum width of 7.3 meters and existing narrow paths be widened and paved.
“Our northern areas deserve international-standard infrastructure,” stated Abdul Aleem Khan, noting that a superior road network is the backbone of the tourism industry. Other approved projects include the construction of the Upper Kachura, Basho, and Shigar roads, a 36km stretch from Karakoram Highway to Naltar Scenic Lake, and a 12km difficult-terrain road to Fairy Meadows.
The Minister instructed the NHA to maintain close coordination with the Gilgit-Baltistan government and directed officials to prepare a comprehensive briefing on all tourism-focused road initiatives to ensure timely completion.
