Powering the Future: Why Solar Energy Is Essential for Gilgit-Baltistan In the age of digital progress, access to the internet is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. Yet, in Gilgit-Baltistan, the lack of reliable electricity threatens this very connection to the world. With harsh winters freezing mountain streams, hydropower simply cannot meet the region’s energy needs year-round. But there is a solution. A smart, sustainable solution. Solar power. A hybrid solar system with battery backup can provide uninterrupted electricity to power phones, laptops, routers—the very tools that link GB to the digital world. This is more than energy.…
Author: Farhan Ali
Climate Change Is No Longer a Distant Threat It is already reshaping daily life in Gilgit-Baltistan. Glaciers are melting, floods are rising, and the environment is changing fast. But in the face of these challenges, there is also hope. And that hope lies in education. The Power of Early Climate Education By teaching children about climate change early, we prepare them not just to understand the problem, but to become part of the solution. From tree planting and school eco-clubs to recycling drives and no-plastic days, students can lead the way. A Community-Wide Effort Gilgit-Baltistan’s schools, families, and communities have…
Pakistan Rejects Ukraine War Allegations, Calls Out False Claims of Involvement Pakistan has firmly denied recent allegations linking its citizens to the Ukraine conflict. These accusations surfaced after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that foreign “mercenaries” from Pakistan, China, and Africa were fighting in the war. In response, the Foreign Office (FO) released a clear statement rejecting the claims. According to the FO, Ukraine has not shared any credible evidence to support these allegations. The spokesperson confirmed that Pakistan has not received any official communication from Ukrainian authorities on the issue. The FO stated that no Pakistani national has been…
ECP Disqualifies Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Other PTI Lawmakers Following May 9 Convictions The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has officially disqualified several high-profile lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. This includes National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub and Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz. The decision follows their convictions in cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots. The ECP issued notifications under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution. This clause bars individuals convicted of a crime from holding parliamentary office. The action was taken after an Anti-Terr0rism Court (ATC) in Faisalabad sentenced several PTI leaders to 10 years…
Trump Warns India of Further Tariffs Over Russian Oil Purchases Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to substantially raise tariffs on Indian imports. His warning follows India’s continued purchase and resale of Russian crude oil, a move Trump says undermines global efforts to isolate Moscow and stop the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking on his platform, Trump criticized India for benefiting economically from discounted Russian oil, accusing New Delhi of “profiting while others pay the price.” His remarks signal a shift in U.S. trade pressure, aiming not only to penalize Russia but also to discourage its top trading partners…
PM Shehbaz Sharif Urges Climate Action During Gilgit Baltistan Visit Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the rain- and flood-hit areas of Gilgit Baltistan on Monday, where he expressed serious concern over the increasing impacts of climate change on Pakistan. Speaking to the media during his visit, PM Shehbaz expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and the damage caused to property and infrastructure due to the recent heavy rains. He emphasized the urgency to implement long-term climate adaptation strategies. “Every year we are affected by climate change,” said the Prime Minister, recalling the devastating floods of 2022. He stated that…
A staggering Rs354.12 billion in financial irregularities have been uncovered across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) local bodies between 2002 and 2024, according to a detailed audit report issued by the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP). The report, highlighted by ARY News, reveals that during the fiscal year 2013–2014, irregularities worth Rs75 billion were recorded. In 2015–2016, further discrepancies of Rs70.52 billion surfaced. Despite the enormous financial gap, only Rs32.3 billion has been recovered to date. The audit attributes these irregularities to a fragile administrative framework in the local governance system. According to the AGP, many issues stem from delayed action, poor…
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to elevate bilateral trade to $8 billion annually, calling the move “a new phase of strategic economic partnership,” according to a statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce. The agreement was made during a pivotal meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Atabak on the sidelines of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s official visit to Pakistan. The two ministers committed to removing border bottlenecks, accelerating economic cooperation, and forming sector-specific delegations. Kamal emphasized replicating successful trade models used in Belarus by engaging federal and provincial chambers of commerce in focused, targeted dialogue. “Geography is…
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has reported that the Tarbela Dam reservoir is now 91% full, with the water level reaching 1541 feet of its total 1550ft capacity. Meanwhile, Mangla Dam has reached 60% capacity, currently holding water at 1202ft against its full capacity of 1442ft. These increases follow persistent monsoon rains across the upper catchments. The Indus River is presently in low flood condition at several key points: Chashma, Taunsa, Guddu, and Sukkur Barrages, while water levels downstream at Kotri Barrage remain below low flood threshold. FFD recorded major inflows at key locations: Tarbela: 252,000 cusecs inflow / 158,900…
Imran Khan Stops Sons from Visiting Pakistan, Rules Out Protest Participation Former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan has firmly stated that his sons, Suleman Khan and Kasim Khan, will not be visiting Pakistan or participating in any political protests. Speaking to reporters inside Adiala Jail, Khan clarified the matter after rumors spread that his sons might lead or join demonstrations for his release. Family’s Previous Statement Sparks Confusion Earlier, Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, claimed the two sons would travel to Pakistan and take part in the August 5 protest. This led to speculation about their role in upcoming…