Seven GB roads set for federal takeover to boost tourism

Seven GB roads set for federal takeover to boost tourism.

Key points

• Jamil Nagri Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026 07: 31am.
• The remaining two routes, the 121km Thalichi-Astore-Rattu-Shounter Road and the 105km Gorikot-Shagarthang-Skardu Road, are at present under construction.
• Ikram Baig, president of the GB Association of Tour Operators, informed Dawn that the initiative would assist promote tourism in the region.
• Asghar Khan, manager of Serena Hotel, informed Dawn that tourists usually planned their visits according to fixed schedules.
• Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism.

Jamil Nagri Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026 07: 31am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

464km of thoroughfares to be rehabilitated, maintained by NHA Federal cabinet to consider proposal after approval by GB cabinet Roads frequently damaged by landslides and flash floods Tour operators, hotel owners and transporters welcome PM's initiatives.

GILGIT: The federal administration has identified seven roads spanning 464 kilometres throughout Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for federalisation under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's tourism initiative, with the routes to be constructed, widened, rehabilitated and maintained by the federal authorities to improve connectivity and promote tourism in the mountainous region.

Notably, an official of the National Highway Authority (NHA) informed Dawn that Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan had proposed to the GB administration that seven key roads throughout the region be handed over to the Centre under PM's tourism initiative. The seven roads identified include the 54km Astore-Chilim Chowki Road, 31km Deosai-Skardu Road, 100km Skardu-Khaplu Road, 17km Skardu (Thorgu)-Shigar Road and the 36km Karakoram Highway-Naltar to Satrangi Lake Road.

In practice, the remaining two routes, the 121km Thalichi-Astore-Rattu-Shounter Road and the 105km Gorikot-Shagarthang-Skardu Road, are at present under construction.

Meanwhile, the NHA official remarked the proposal had been approved by the GB cabinet and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had additionally been signed in this regard.

Meanwhile, the move comes as the administration seeks to expand tourism infrastructure in the region, where challenging terrain and limited road connectivity remain major challenges to exploiting its tourism potential.

Notably, the initiative is aimed at strengthening road connectivity to some of the region's major tourism destinations, improving access to remote communities and facilitating travel throughout GB.

Roads in GB are frequently blocked by landslides, mudflows, heavy rainfall, avalanches, flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs).

Under the plan, the roads will be constructed, widened, rehabilitated and maintained by the NHA to improve connectivity and facilitate access to popular tourist destinations.

According to The official, the proposal would be placed before the federal cabinet for approval. Once approved, the NHA would assume responsibility for the development and long-term upkeep of the seven road links, including their construction, widening, rehabilitation and maintenance.

Asked regarding funding, he stated the federal administration would provide funds for the project. Previously, the GB administration had been bearing the cost of maintenance, widening and rehabilitation of the roads, he went on.

Notably, the official remarked it had additionally been proposed that a toll tax be introduced for tourists visiting the scenic region, with a blanket exemption for local residents.

Revenue generated through the toll would be spent on improving the road network in GB, he remarked.

"With the number of tourists to Gilgit-Baltistan multiplying each year, the federal minister proposed introducing a toll tax to fund road infrastructure development. Nevertheless, locals should be exempt from this tax, " the official stated.

Individuals associated with the tourism sector, including hotel owners and transporters, welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that improved road maintenance and connectivity would assist promote tourism.

As tourists were not only stranded for a number of days but residents additionally faced similar difficulties during bad weather, he remarked frequent road blockages were a serious problem for GB.

He remarked there was hope for an improved road network in the region after the federal administration assumed responsibility for the roads.

"This initiative can boost tourism. Delays in restoring road connectivity and frequent blockages have badly affected tourism in GB, " he remarked, adding that a reliable road network was essential for the sector.

Ayaz Ahmed Shigri, general secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan and owner of a guest house, remarked poor road connectivity remained a major hurdle to promoting tourism.

He too believed that the initiative would support enhance tourism in GB.

He remarked frequent road blockages disrupted tourists' aims and sometimes left them stranded in the region for days.

Such situations created a negative impression and discouraged tourists from visiting the region, he remarked.

"Many tourists, including national and international visitors, cancelled their plans to visit because of blocked roads, " Mr Khan remarked.

He remarked the federal government's decision to take responsibility for the roads could assist reduce the difficulty if the plan was implemented in its true spirit.

GB Tourism Minister Naiknaam Karim remarked accessibility played a major role in tourism development.

He remarked if the federal administration took responsibility for the roads, the NHA could ensure better management and improvement of the network with greater resources. Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026.

Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. His reporting and feature writing focus on CPEC, climate change, the environment, and adventure tourism. He can be discovered on X at @jamilnagri.

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