ISLAMABAD, Sept 7 (ABC): The government has identified seven roads spanning a combined 464 kilometres across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) for federalisation under the prime minister’s tourism initiative, with the proposed plan covering their construction, widening, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the identified routes connect several important destinations across the region, including Astore, Deosai, Skardu, Khaplu, Shigar and Naltar.
The roads include the 54-kilometre Astore–Chilim Chowki Road, 31-kilometre Deosai–Skardu Road, 100-kilometre Skardu–Khaplu Road, 17-kilometre Skardu (Thorgu)–Shigar Road and 36-kilometre KKH-Naltar to Satrangi Lake Road.
The remaining two routes are the 121-kilometre Thalichi–Astore–Rattu–Shounter Road and the 105-kilometre Gorikot–Shagarthang–Skardu Road. Both roads are currently under construction.
Together, the seven identified roads have a total length of 464 kilometres, forming a sizeable road network linking different parts of the mountainous region.
According to the documents, the Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet has already approved the proposal, while a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been shared with the National Highway Authority (NHA).
The proposed federalisation would bring the construction, widening, rehabilitation and long-term maintenance of the identified roads under the federal initiative.
The move is aimed at strengthening road connectivity to key tourism destinations across Gilgit-Baltistan, where difficult terrain and long travel distances make reliable transport infrastructure particularly important for tourism and local mobility.
By improving links among major valleys and tourist destinations, the proposed road programme is expected to support easier movement of visitors and strengthen access to remote areas of the region.
