Tag: Gilgit-Baltistan

  • Maryam owes her beauty to taxpayers’ money, Gandapur claims

    Maryam owes her beauty to taxpayers’ money, Gandapur claims

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Ali Amin Gandapur has claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz “owes her beauty to cosmetic surgeries performed at the expense of taxpayers”.

    Speaking in a public gathering, the lawmaker went on a sexist tirade against the PML-N vice president. He said the PML-N leader became “beautiful” by spending tax money on her alleged plastic surgeries.

    Addressing the people in the crowd, he said you people could also look like “Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt if you spend even a fraction of amount spent by Maryam on her facial surgeries”.

    Previously, in a Twitter post, Gandapur had made sexist comments about PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Maryam Nawaz. In a post, he had said Bilawal is a man without any “masculine attributes” whereas Maryam was a woman who didn’t have “feminine qualities”.

    In past, the PTI ministers have targetted Maryam for being a woman, but this is the first time that someone has claimed that she underwent cosmetic surgery.

    Last month, Information Minister Shibli Faraz in an unfounded criticism said that “shoes, dresses and makeup do not make one a leader”.

    Maryam owed her career to dynastic politics and thought of herself as the late prime minister (PM) Benazir Bhutto, he had said.

    “Benazir was a well-educated lady […] shoes, dresses and makeup do not make you a leader. To be one, you need to live like a common person,” he said in his tirade. Maryam has time and again been criticised for her luxurious lifestyle and rather expensive dresses, footwear as well as accessories.

  • #BeautifulPakistan trends on Twitter: Here are a few scenic pictures of Pakistan

    #BeautifulPakistan trends on Twitter: Here are a few scenic pictures of Pakistan

    #BeautifulPakistan has been trending on Twitter and some of the pictures shared by users are absolutely breath-taking. From beautiful meadows to scenic valleys, people on Twitter are sharing lovely pictures of the country. No wonder Pakistan was listed among Forbes’ ‘Best under-the-Radar’ tourist spots in 2020.

    https://twitter.com/Muhamma63348013/status/1323903281001844737?s=20

    Here is a picture for cricket lovers of a stadium in Gwadar.

    Not only the northern areas look majestic but the pictures of Lahore’s Badshahi Masjid, Wazir Khan Mosque and Chauburji are worth seeing.

  • Pakistan rejects Indian statements on Gilgit-Baltistan status

    Pakistan rejects Indian statements on Gilgit-Baltistan status

    Pakistan has rejected the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ irresponsible and unwarranted statement regarding Gilgit-Baltistan.

    A Foreign Ministry statement said India has no legal, moral or historical standing on the issue.

    “For more than 73 years, India has been in illegal and forcible occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Regurgitation of false and fabricated claims by India can neither change the facts nor divert attention from India’s illegal actions and continuing humanitarian crisis resulting from the perpetration of the worst human rights violations in Indian illegally occupied valley,” the statement said.

    Pakistan’s position on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute remains firmly anchored in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions, it said, adding that the final resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute was only possible through the exercise of the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination by holding free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN.

    “Administrative, political and economic reforms are a long-standing demand of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. The envisaged provisional reforms reflect the aspirations of the indigenous populace of Gilgit-Baltistan,” it said.

    Pakistan called upon India to immediately end its illegal and forcible occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir and “comply with its international obligations by allowing the Kashmiris to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”

    India had earlier rejected what it called an attempt by Pakistan to bring material changes to a “disputed territory”, after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan declared the provisional provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan.

  • India in flames as govt moves to change status of Gilgit-Baltistan with representation in parliament?

    India in flames as govt moves to change status of Gilgit-Baltistan with representation in parliament?

    The Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government plans to make Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) the country’s fifth province, two years after powers of the Islamabad-controlled council for the region were transferred to a local assembly.

    The government’s plans have been outlined by Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur, who said the region will be accorded the status of a full-fledged province with constitutional rights such as representation in both houses of the parliament.

    “After consultation with all stakeholders, the federal government has decided in principle to give constitutional rights to GB,” he said, adding that the government has decided to deliver on the promise it made to the people there.

    PM Imran is expected to visit the region soon and make a formal announcement about the change, Gandapur said.

    While there has been no immediate reaction to the minister’s remarks from Indian officials, New Delhi has consistently opposed changes made in the region by Pakistan because it claims GB as part of Jammu and Kashmir.

    Gandapur also said that subsidies and tax exemptions for the region wouldn’t be withdrawn after the grant of constitutional rights. “Until the people there stand on their feet, they will continue to enjoy this facility,” he said.

    The minister contended that the deprivation faced by the people of GB for 73 years would end with the change. “Besides constitutional rights and a provincial setup, important steps are being taken for developing the region.”

    People familiar with developments told The Current that people concerned, including those a part of the establishment, had been in touch with political parties regarding the changes.

    “The PTI is backing changes with an eye on upcoming elections in GB so that it can make political gains and form the next government in the region,” an official told this scribe on the condition of anonymity.

    Preparations for the elections that are likely to take place in November are complete, and the distribution of tickets by the PTI will begin soon, they added.

  • COVID-19: Tourists can enter Gilgit after showing medical reports

    COVID-19: Tourists can enter Gilgit after showing medical reports

    The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has decided to restart tourism-related activities in the province, Chief Minister’s(CM) spokesperson said on Friday.

    Caretaker Chief Minister Mir Afzal Khan has issued a few directions to open the tourism sector in the province under strict standard operating procedures (SOP)s.

    According to details, entrance of the tourists will be subject to the clearance of medical reports, the spokesperson said, adding that the travellers will be allowed to enter the province from August 8 (Saturday).

    Earlier, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar had announced that dine-in restaurants and beauty salons across Pakistan will reopen on August 10 as the country reported a decline in coronavirus cases.

    Sports and games would be allowed to resume but without spectators and pillion-riding was also permitted.

    The move to reopen the country came after a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) and discussion on recommendations in the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), he said, referring to the primary body that overlooks the efforts against the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.

  • Three men sentenced to jail for killing rare snow leopard in Gilgit Baltistan

    Three men sentenced to jail for killing rare snow leopard in Gilgit Baltistan

    The authorities have detained five persons for killing a snow leopard in Hoper Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan. Three of them have been sentenced to jail by the wildlife magistrate.

    As per reports, a female snow leopard was killed in Hoper while her two cubs lost. The wildlife team was able to recover the skin of the slain leopard and a search operation to find the missing cubs is underway.

    The wildlife department arrested a man with the help of law enforcement agencies on Tuesday after getting information about the killing of the snow leopard. 25-year old Mohammad Saleem, a resident of Hoper valley confessed to his crime and told the authorities that he along with his friends killed a female snow leopard near Hoper glacier almost 12 days ago. He said that the leopard was living with her two cubs in the mountain near the glacier and they set the cubs free after killing the leopard.

    Later the police also arrested four more culprits involved in the crime. They were identified as Mohammad and Jaffar Ali, residents of Hoper and Mohammad Amin and Jan Alam, residents of Hunza.

    Mohammad Saleem and Mohammad were sentenced to one year jail with a fine of Rs5,000,000 on each of them while another accused man was sentenced to one-month imprisonment.

    According to details, Mohammad Saleem posted the pictures of the snow leopard on social media after killing it.

  • Man arrested for killing over 100 rare ibex in Gilgit-Baltistan

    Man arrested for killing over 100 rare ibex in Gilgit-Baltistan

    The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) wildlife department has arrested a man for killing more than 100 Himalayan ibex in the region.

    Read more – Rare striped hyena rescued in DI Khan

    According to a report in The Express Tribune, the culprit Mohammad Essa was arrested while he was on his way home in the Hoper village of district Nagar. A wildlife official said that Essa’s car was raided on a tip-off and about 30 kg of meat was discovered in the vehicle.

    The accused was arrested immediately and during an investigation, it was revealed that he used to supply meat to some government officials and other influential people to oblige them.

    An official statement said that the culprit was presented before a forest magistrate/DFO Gibran Haider on Wednesday where he confessed to killing over 100 ibex. The magistrate sentenced him to one-year imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs140,000 under the Wildlife Act 1975.

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

    The arrest sent waves of shock in the region, where trophy hunting was believed to have discouraged illegal hunting of such precious wild species. The long-horned animal is one of the 18 rare species for which a hunting permit is officially allowed in G-B under the trophy hunting programme. Last year the hunting fee was about Rs110,000.

    The Himalayan ibex is native to the Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalayan mountain ranges of Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Man arrested for dragging dog in Karachi

    Meanwhile, a man was arrested in Karachi for dragging a dog with his car. According to ACF Animal Rescue, the incident took place on Siraj-ud-Daula Road, near Alamgir Masjid in Karachi. When some people behind the car tried to stop the car and save the dog, the person behind the wheel just drove faster.

    The dog was dragged along until he died.

    A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking public outrage following which the authorities took immediate notice and sprang into action.

    https://twitter.com/amnaappi/status/1268287579268538369?s=20

    A case has also been registered against the culprit.

  • COVID-19 in Gilgit: Another health worker passes as region awaits Chinese help

    Days after Dr Usama Riaz died due to coronavirus, another health worker in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has passed away.

    According to reports, 55-year-old Malik Ashdar was looking after suspected and confirmed coronavirus patients in Nagar district, but due to the lack of protective gear among health workers, he soon developed coronavirus symptoms. After spending a week in an isolation centre, he passed away on Sunday while his test reports came hours later, confirming his infection.

    A number of health workers continue to perform their duties in the area without proper protective gear. There are currently 34 confirmed cases of the virus in the district, including 11 locally-transmitted cases, but health officials and residents suspect there could be more cases and have urged the federal government to ensure the provision of better facilities.

    Muhammad Jamil, a local resident, told Pakistan Today that there are currently 100 suspects who are either waiting for their test results or are awaiting the test itself. When asked about Ashdar, he said that the health worker was not given proper treatment in the isolation centre.

    Although his test results came positive, the GB Information Department is yet to confirm his death as the second coronavirus casualty in the area.

    The report also quoted an official of the GB Health Department as saying that due to the non-availability of testing kits, no suspected patient was tested in the past three days. The official said that the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Gilgit has limited resources and the fact that samples have to be sent there manually also causes a delay in treating patients effectively. However, he added, China’s assistance in this regard would enable GB to conduct more tests.

  • The coronavirus test in your city

    The coronavirus test in your city

    Want to know which hospitals in your city have the Coronavirus test? Here is the list but first, if you suspect that you have symptoms, including fever, coughing, shortness of breath then call the state helpline at 1166 or your doctor.

    Private labs are charging a minimum of Rs 7,900 for each test and some public hospitals are giving the test for free. Results will be available in 48 hours.

    HOSPITALS TESTING FOR CORONA VIRUS

    KARACHI

    The helpline to call for suspected cases in Sindh is: 021-99204405, 021-99206565, 021-99203443, 021-99204405, 0316-0111712

    Public

    Civil Hospital

    Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre

    Private

    Aga Khan University Hospital

    Dow Medical College

    Hyderabad

    Liaquat Hospital

    Lahore

    Services Hospital

    Rawalpindi

    Benazir Bhutto Hospital

    Multan

    Nishtar Hospital

    Sialkot

    Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital

    Faisalabad

    Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital

    Allied Hospital

    Rahimyar Khan

    Sheikh Zayed Hospital

    Quetta

    Fatima Jinnah General and Chest Hospital

    Peshawar

    Muhammad Teaching Hospital

    Jinnah Teaching Hospital

    Prime Teaching Hospital

    Painless Hospital

    Khalil Hospital

    Zia Medical Complex

    Mercy Teaching Hospital

    Kuwait Teaching

    Naseer Teaching Hospital

    MSF Hospital

    Afridi Medical Complex

    Shahab Orthopedic Hospital

    Rehman Medical Institute

    North Western General Hospital

    Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital

    Akbar Medical Centre

    Abaseen Hospital

    Habib Medical Centre

    Ibrahimi Hospital

    Islamabad

    Pakistan Institute of Management (PIMS)

    Gilgit Baltistan

    Civil Hospital Hunza

    DHQ Gilgit

    DHQ Chilas

    DHQ Skardu

    PDSRU

    DHQ Karimabad

    Azad Jammu and Kashmir

    Abbas Institute Of Medical Sciences, Muzaffarabad

    Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital Muzaffarabad (CMH.)

    CMH Rawalkot

    DHQ Mirpur

    DHQ Kotli

    DHQ Neelum

    DHQ Jhelum Valley

    DHQ Bagh

    DHQ Haveli

    DHQ Bhimber

    DHQ Hospital Sudhnoti

    The helpline to call for suspected cases in Sindh is: 021-99204405, 021-99206565, 021-99203443, 021-99204405, 0316-0111712

  • Injured young markhor released into the wild after treatment

    A three-year-old young Astore Markhor, who fell from a cliff, was released into its habitat three days after it was rescued and after receiving full treatment for the injuries.

    According to the Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife department, the markhor had fallen from a cliff in Jutial Nullah area three days ago. Locals had discovered the markhor and handed it over to the wildlife department, who shifted it to the veterinary hospital in Gilgit for treatment.

    Doctors at the hospital said that the injured markhor received minor injuries in its legs and was suffering from fever. It received treatment for three days after which the doctors felt that it was well enough to be released into the wild.

    However, the wildlife staff will keep an eye on the young goat till it rejoins its herd.

    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.

    Its horns are a highly sought after trophy. On December 12, an Italian citizen hunted the first Markhor of the season. According to the Gilgit – Baltistan wildlife department, Carlo Pasco successfully hunted a markhor from the conservation area.

    The hunter paid $85,000 as permit fee for hunting the rare wildlife species. The Wildlife department claims that 80% of the amount paid by hunters is given to the local community to invest in themselves and the conversation of these animals.