Tag: GIlgit

  • Energy sector to get a massive portion of the Rs699 billion subsidy

    Energy sector to get a massive portion of the Rs699 billion subsidy

    The government has proposed allocating Rs699 billion to multiple sectors in order to provide relief to the masses during the new fiscal year 2022-23.

    According to budget estimates, the government plans to boost subsidies by Rs17 billion to Rs699 billion for the next fiscal year, up from Rs682 billion in the previous fiscal year.

    The government has reduced power sector subsidies by Rs26 billion to Rs570 billion for the next fiscal year, down from Rs596 billion in the previous fiscal year and proposed increasing the total subsidy for the power sector for PEPCO by Rs18 billion to Rs275 billion. The budget 2022-23 proposed reducing the subsidy amount for K-Electric by Rs5 billion to Rs80 billion.

    Moreover, subsidies for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are slashed by Rs39 billion to Rs215 billion for the coming fiscal year.

    The amount of petroleum subsidy has been upped from Rs51 billion to Rs71 billion. During the next fiscal year, the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) will receive a Rs17 billion subsidy. PASSCO will also receive Rs7 billion subsidy.

    During the next fiscal year, Rs8 billion has been set aside for wheat subsidies to Gilgit-Baltistan. For the coming fiscal year, the subsidy for the metro bus service has been increased to Rs4 billion. Similarly, the fertiliser plant subsidy has been increased to Rs15 billion.

    Read more: Govt unveils Rs9.5 trillion budget 22-23, focused on sustainable growth

    The new government has reduced the Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority (NAPHDA) subsidy amount to Rs500 million for the next fiscal year, down from Rs30 billion in the previous fiscal year. NAPHDA’s markup subsidy has also been reduced, from Rs.3 billion to Rs.500 million for the coming fiscal year.

  • Severe heatwave conditions predicted by Met office from Sunday

    Severe heatwave conditions predicted by Met office from Sunday

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecasted extreme heatwave conditions across Pakistan for the coming week, warning that high pressure will hold the upper atmosphere starting Sunday, May 8.

    Day temperatures are expected to steadily increase in most parts of the country from Sunday due to this high pressure, as per a notification from PMD.

    The temperature in upper Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir was expected to hover between 7-9 degrees Celsius beyond average during the day.

    Meanwhile, the daytime temperature of Upper and central Sindh, central and south Punjab and areas of Balochistan will likely experience temperatures between 6-8 degrees Celsius above usual.

    Read more: Pakistan starts oil and gas production from Dhok Sultan DS X-1

    The department also tweeted a warning about the heatwave’s potential effects, stating that extremely hot and dry weather might affect dams, crops, vegetables, and forests.

  • Construction work for Swat Motorway Phase-II to begin next week

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan will lay the foundation stone for Swat Motorway Phase-II in the next week.

    The CM instructed that development on the Dir Motorway project’s PC 1 for land acquisition be quickened so that practical work on the project can proceed.

    He was presiding over a meeting of the Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority to discuss the status of various road projects, including the Swat Motorway Phase II and the Dir Motorway.

    The meeting was informed on the status of Swat Motorway Phase II, which will be 88 km long and will be built at a cost of Rs58 billion and will run from Chakdara to Fatehpur. It was also revealed that a contractor deal for the project’s construction had been inked.

    It was revealed that Rs6.7 billion had been allocated for the project’s land acquisition. In addition, section four was implemented for the purchase of land.

    Project Plan

    Swat motorway will have four lanes at first and will be expanded to six lanes later. Chakdara Interchange, Shamozai Interchange, Barikot Interchange, Mingora Interchange, Kanju Interchange, Malam Jabba-University of Swat Interchange, Sher Palam Interchange, Matta Khawazakhela Interchange, and Madin-Fatehpur Interchange would be among the nine interchanges.

    On the Swat River, a total of eight bridges will be built. The project also includes the construction of four rest spots in various places, as well as the construction of connection highways if required.

    PHA officials briefed the meeting on Dir Motorway that an Expression of Interest for a 30 km long Dir Motorway from Chakdara to Rabat had been floated. Three interchanges, four flyovers, 24 bridges, two underpasses, and two tunnels will be part of this road project.

    These developments, according to the Chief Minister, would help boost tourism, trade, and economic operations, making them a “milestone” for the long-term growth of the Malakand division. These initiatives will also provide employment chances for locals in addition to improving transportation facilities.

  • PIA’s new flight plans for tourist destinations

    PIA’s new flight plans for tourist destinations

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has finalised the plan to start direct flights from Balochistan’s Kech district to Turbat city , ARY News reported on Friday.

    This move will enable Pakistanis to travel to the popular tourist destination directly.

    The airline will also operate flights from Quetta to Turbat from February 26.

    It may be noted here that PIA had decided to operate flights between Turbat and Sharjah in January last year. ATR planes will be used for flight operations between Turbat and Sharjah.

    The decision was taken to facilitate citizens to travel to the mountainous areas.

    Moreover, PIA will resume flight operations from Lahore and Karachi to Gilgit and Skardu to promote tourism in the northern areas.

    The national carrier will resume the flight operations on March 13. PIA will operate flights from Lahore to Gilgit and from Karachi to Skardu.

  • Gilgit: Viral video shows man removing Pakistani flag from burning car

    Gilgit: Viral video shows man removing Pakistani flag from burning car

    The video of a man in Gilgit removing a Pakistani flag from a burning car has gone viral on social media.

    The black car is believed to belong to a Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) minister and was set on fire during the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) protest against alleged rigging in the recently held elections.

    The video shows a man running towards the car and taking the flag off the bonnet.

    Widespread, even violent, protests are being held in the northern region against what the PPP has termed a “stolen” election on November 15.

    Videos from the area have shown people thronging the streets of and accusing Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of winning the maximum number of seats by rigging.

    Earlier, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had alleged irregularities in the elections.

    “My election has been stolen. I will be joining the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in their protest shortly,” he had tweeted as early as initial results had started pouring in while Maryam Nawaz of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had accused the PTI of “pre-poll rigging”.

  • PM Imran trolled for saying his ‘selection was right’

    PM Imran trolled for saying his ‘selection was right’

    With Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan saying the fact that the opposition was criticising the chiefs of the army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) proves he appointed the right people to the posts, he is being trolled by those who have misconstrued his words.

    The premier, who on Sunday arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan to mark the 73rd Independence Day of the region, was speaking to the attendees and participants of the Azadi Parade.

    “If these thieves [opposition] are speaking against them, it means they [chiefs] are the right people,” he said, responding to the recent remarks from the opposition.

    Lawmakers of opposition parties have time and again referred to the premier as “selected” for they allege that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to power after “stealing the mandate of the people”.

    While PM Imran was referring to the people he has selected, the headline of a report carried by Dawn led to people trolling the premier for “conceding that he himself was selected”.

    While the tweet is flooded with comments by those who were cracked up, a number of Twitterati have also pointed out that the premier was misinterpreted and his statement was taken out of context:

    Have something to add to the story? Let The Current know in the comments…

  • VIDEO: LUMS Students rescued in Gilgit by the Pak Army

    VIDEO: LUMS Students rescued in Gilgit by the Pak Army

    Twenty-two students from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) had gone skiing in Gilgit and had been stuck in the area for five days due to heavy snow and landslides. LUMS administration approached the Army for help and the Chief of Army Staff, Qamar Javed Bajwa directed the army to find and rescue them by helicopter.

    They were all unhurt and saved by the army and have reached Rawalpindi to return home safely.

    LUMS students rescued by the Pak Army. Photo released by ISPR

    The LUMS Adventure Society organizes such events every year and the students stay in army guest houses. Thirteen boys and nine girls were on this particular trip when they were surrounded by snow in Rattu, Gilgit.

    LUMS students relating their experience

    Temperatures in Pakistan have hit record lows with major cities like Karachi and Lahore facing the most difficult winter in recent times.

  • Spanish hunter pays $83,500 to kill season’s third markhor in Gilgit

    Spanish hunter pays $83,500 to kill season’s third markhor in Gilgit

    A Spanish hunter in Gilgit has killed the third markhor of the season after paying a whopping $83,500 as the permit fee, ARY reported.

    According to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Wildlife Department, Carlo Pasco successfully hunted a flared-horned markhor in the conservation area.

    The hunting fees for different local species were decided in November last year as the Wildlife Department auctioned off the permits for markhor for $83,500. In 2018-19, the hunters paid $110,000 for hunting the animal.

    The Wildlife Department claims that 80 per cent of the amount paid by hunters is given to the local community to invest in themselves and the conversation of these animals. The remaining 20 per cent is deposited to the national exchequer.

    Pakistan’s national animal, markhor, is a large Capra species native to Central Asia, Karakoram and the Himalayas. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, it is listed as a near-threatened species since 2015.

    Earlier on December 12, an Italian citizen had hunted the first markhor of the season.

  • Here’s when and how you can observe rare solar eclipse

    Here’s when and how you can observe rare solar eclipse

    On December 26th, people living in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia will witness the rare annular (ring-shaped) solar eclipse. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the solar eclipse will be visible in Pakistan as well.

    According to PMD, this
    rare eclipse was last witnessed in Pakistan 20 years ago. The annular solar
    eclipse will begin at 7:00AM and will end at 1:00PM and will be visible in
    Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Gilgit.

    Here are the details:

    Islamabad

    • Begins: 07:50 AM
    • Best View: 08:58 AM
    • Ends: 10:15 AM
    • Duration: 2 hours 26 minutes

    Lahore

    • Begins: 07:47
    • Best View: 08:58 AM
    • Ends: 10:19 AM
    • Duration: 2 hours 32 minutes

    Karachi

    • Begins: 07:34 AM
    • Best View: 08:46 AM
    • Ends: 10:10 AM
    • Duration: 2 hours 37 minutes

    Peshawar

    • Begins: 07:48 AM
    • Best View: 08:56 AM
    • Ends: 10:13 AM
    • Duration: 2 hours 25 minutes

    Quetta

    • Begins: 07:39 AM
    • Best View: 08:48 AM
    • Ends: 10:08 AM
    • Duration: 2 hours 29 minutes

    The annular solar eclipse is also called the ‘Ring of Fire’ because only the boundaries of the sun will be observable from behind the moon.

    In the excitement of witnessing this rare eclipse, don’t forget to take some abolutely necessary precautions.

    Those want to see the eclipse are advised not to look at the sun directly. The ultraviolet radiation from the sun can be harmful for the eyes.

    You should use these while looking at the eclipse:

    • Eclipse glasses
    • Solar filters
    • Projectors

    Do not use these when
    looking at the eclipse:

    • Sunglasses of any kind
    • Color film
    • Medical X-ray film
    • Smoked glass
    • Floppy disks
  • VIDEO: Jahangir Tareen rescues sick British tourist in Gilgit on private helicopter

    VIDEO: Jahangir Tareen rescues sick British tourist in Gilgit on private helicopter

    Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretary-general, disqualified Jahangir Khan Tareen, has flown a sick British tourist out of Fairy Meadows National Park in his private helicopter.

    Fairy Meadows, named by German climbers and locally known as Joot, is a grassland near one of the basecamp sites of Nanga Parbat, located in Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan.

    According to the details of the incident, a British tourist on Wednesday fell unconscious after her health deteriorated during a camping trip in Fairy Meadows. Tareen, who was also present in the area as part of his trip to Gilgit-Baltistan, brought the sick tourist back to the airport in his helicopter.

    The woman was later shifted to a nearby hospital while a video of the rescue has gone viral over the internet.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    FUEL FOR TAREEN’S CHARTERED FLIGHT:

    Meanwhile, Tareen’s trip to the country’s northernmost territory has been marred by controversy regarding the fuel for his chartered flight from Gilgit City to Skardu.

    In a letter addressed to the Skardu deputy commissioner (DC) by the general manager operations of Princely Jets — Pakistan’s first private charter jet operator — three barrels (600 litres) of JP-1 fuel have been requested for Tareen’s helicopter.

    https://twitter.com/Psfkami/status/1176870816199446528

    Even though the letter does not appear to be in violation of any rules, netizens argue the need for a private company’s general manager “to request acquisition of government fuel from an official for Tareen’s chartered flight”.