SR Times

SR Times Report

NAGAR, Guro, June 08: The construction of first ever long tunnel on Karakorum High Way (KKH) by the Chinese Bridge and Road construction (CRBC) firm resumed on Monday after the reopening of Gilgit-Hunza-Nagar traffic section that was suspended as a prevention measure in case of release of huge amount of water from barrier.


CRBC initiated day and night construction work on first ever tunnel in December 2009 to secure Karakorum High Way (KKH) from the flooding and land sliding at Guro,lower Nagar Settlement keeping in consideration of the global construction codes and standards.

ROME, Italy, June 08: According to a media source, the Radical Party in the Italian parliament has given membership to Balawaristan National Front (BNF) Chairman Abdul Hamid Khan in recognition of his services for highlighting the plight of the people of his region at the international level and suffering exile for it.The representation was given to Mr Khan for highlighting the injustices being meted out to the masses of GB, human rights violations, especially eviction of local people from their land and lack of representation to the locals at the annual general meeting of the UNPO.Recently, Abdul Hamid Khan told the UNPO meeting in Italy that in order to perpetuate its control in the region Pakistan was not only evicting the localpeople from their land but was also issuing leases of precious mineral resources in the region to Chinese and other companies in complete disregard to the opposition by the residents.He told the participants that this act of Pakistan would not only deprive the locals of their rights on the natural resources but would also pave the way for snatching their political rights of deciding about their future as an independent nation. Weekly Baang-e-sehar, Karachi

GILGIT, BALTISTAN, June 05: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) One after another catastrophe in the country has brougth virtually many industrial sectors especially that of tourism and hotel industry on verge of decline. One of the resultant factors of fight against extremism during the dictator Musharraf's era followed by military operations was disastrous to this sector as foreign travelers or tourist avoided to visit to the famous spots in the world namely: Lahore, Abotabad,Swat, Kalam, Kaghan, Nylum and beautiful valleys of Gilgit-Baltisan. After the military operation in FATA and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah, the aspiration of those related this field to see a boom in tourism and hotel industry, with recent incidents of communal raids my militants in Lahore on side and the the choas emerged in down stream areas in wake of land slide disaster and resultant spawned lake seems a dear dream to come into reality. Many countries have prohibited their citizens to visit cities like Lahore,Peshawar, Swat,Rawalpindi and even Islamabad in order to avoid any for some time mishap.

Hunza-Nagar: A beautiful scene of Rakaposhi mountain and Minapin settlement in foothills from Nasir Abad Hunza. Image by Shams
In Hunza, virtually, the land link between the Gojal, Upper Hunza,a spot famous for tracking, adventure, hiking and a distinct culture was not only disconnected but also struggling for their survival as the water level was rising rapidly that submerge more than seventy percent of the Ayeenabad, Shishkat,Gulmit and Husani settlements. On the other hand, following the reports of outburst of the lake has created fear among both population and few of the tourist on stay.

One community home (Jamat Khana),two Community based D.J.school and 80% of cultivated land in Ayeenabad floaded; 101 houses, one community based school and a Community home, 58% cultivated land and orchards sank in Shishkat; 35 houses,200 shops, a restaurant and a Community home submerged in Gulmit; rising water level threaten low settlements in upstream areas
SRT Report
HUNZA, GOJAL, June 2: The length of Attabad land slide created natural lake is now expanded to as much as 22 Killo meter long, turning many settlements of Gojal,Upper Hunza into peninsulas, virtually.According to the FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, a subsidery of AKDN, officials huge property losses were being recorded. Around 32 houses, a community home (Jamat Khana),two Community based D.J.school and 80% of cultivated land and some orchards in Ayeenabad floaded; 101 houses, one cummunity based school and a Community home, about 58% cultivated land and orchards sank in Shishkat; while 35 houses,200 shops, a restuarant and a Community home submerged in Gulmit so far. Rising water level is still threatening low settlements in upstream areas. The lake may further stretch to 30 killometers if the water continue to flow with such a little quantity via spill-way and seepage commulatively, the officials apprehended. On the other hand, due to fast erosion on spill way, heavy rocks were appreared on Tuesday, thus reducing the panic of sudden outburst of water from the barrier. Yet,in case of increase in pressure in wake of rise in water level, geologists apprehend a possibble breach on left side of West end bank on river.