Senate Body Stresses Climate Resilience and Conservation in Gilgit-Baltistan & AJK
Islamabad, – The Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan & SAFRON, chaired by Senator Asad Qasim, met to review flood impacts, rehabilitation measures, tourism challenges, and forest conservation efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The Committee was briefed by the Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan on recent floods, which caused human losses, injuries, and road blockages across multiple districts. It was reported that 41 people lost their lives and 52 sustained injuries, while rehabilitation measures such as road clearance and restoration of connectivity are ongoing. The Skardu road remained blocked for several days, hampering access to medical and emergency support.
Chairman Senator Asad Qasim expressed concern over recurring connectivity disruptions and stressed the importance of completing infrastructure projects such as the Shounter Road, which is vital for national cohesion and tourism promotion. He directed the authorities to submit details on hotels/resorts approved based on EPI standards and emphasized the need for accurate data and transparent monitoring of funds.
On tourism, the Committee was informed that booking cancellations in May and June due to law-and-order issues, followed by floods in July and August, resulted in a 90 percent drop in bookings. Overall tourist inflow has declined by nearly 50 percent this year. The Chief Secretary added that environmental mitigation measures are being enforced, including a review of hotel NoCs, with 30 percent already assessed for vulnerabilities. Hotels failing to install sewerage treatment systems have been sealed to prevent environmental damage.
Senator Sherry Rehman raised concerns about waterborne diseases in flood-hit areas and highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive health and resettlement strategy for displaced populations. She pointed out discrepancies in glacier lake data and stressed that weak institutional ownership undermines early warning systems. She further added that BISP funds should be released by the federal government at the earliest to assist the flood-affected people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Chairman Senator Asad Qasim, while acknowledging these concerns, proposed that a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committees on Climate Change and Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan & SAFRON be held to review glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and other climate related issues including deforestation.
The Committee decided to visit Gilgit-Baltistan for a direct assessment of disaster management and tourism-related mitigation efforts.
The Additional Secretary, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, briefed the Committee on forest resources in AJK, noting that forests constitute 46% percent of the total area of AJK. He informed that a complete ban is in place on timber cutting, extraction, and transportation. To strengthen forest protection, initiatives such as GIS-based mapping, drone surveillance, training of forest guards, creation of the post of Chief Conservator Forest, and stricter punitive actions are being implemented. Future plans include afforestation and reforestation projects under the Green Pakistan Program.
Chairman Senator Asad Qasim cautioned that monocultural plantations, though fast-growing, harm fertile lands and stressed the need for sustainable plantation practices. He urged district administrations to adopt clear action plans for enforcement and conservation. Recommendations such as the allocation of adequate financial resources and well-equipped fire response teams were also discussed.
The Committee reviewed plantation clips and visual reports from different areas of AJK. Members agreed that an on-ground visit to AJK is essential for a comprehensive assessment. Senator Asad Qasim announced that the next meeting of the Committee will be held in Kashmir, where members will directly review forest conservation and rehabilitation efforts.
The meeting was attended by Senators Atta ul Haq, Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Nasir Mehmood, Sherry Rehman, the Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan & SAFRON, Chief Secretary GB, Chief Secretary AJK, and senior officials from relevant departments.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
