Window to Gilgit-Baltistan

By  Syed Shamsuddin Follow on X Facebook The GB Environmental Protection Agency's warning must translate into effective regulation, institutional accountability and a region-wide system for the safe management of medical waste. The recent disclosure by the Gilgit-Baltistan Environmental Protection Agency (GB-EPA), through its communication dated 26 October 2026, concerning deficiencies in the management and disposal of healthcare waste in public and private medical establishments across the region, is a matter of considerable concern. As highlighted in Yousuf Ali's Facebook post dated 3 November 2026, the Agency has taken notice of unsafe practices observed during recent inspections and directed the concerned institutions to undertake immediate corrective measures. The observations are significant because healthcare waste, unlike ordinary municipal r...

By  Syed Shamsuddin Follow on X Facebook The history of Gilgit-Baltistan's liberation struggle of 1947 is replete with extraordinary examples of courage, determination, patriotism and collective resistance. It was a historic uprising in which the people, irrespective of age or gender, social standing or individual circumstances, became part of a common endeavour to overthrow Dogra rule and determine their political future. While the contributions of military commanders, revolutionary leaders and the Gilgit Scouts have received varying degrees of historical attention, several individuals whose sacrifices and acts of defiance were integral to the movement have remained conspicuously under-recognised. Among these are two remarkable personalities whose stories deserve a permanent place in the historical consciousness of Gilgit-Baltistan: Amir Hayat Shaheed, ...

A Tribute to Subedar (Retd.) Muhammad Jabir Uncle: A Life of Service, Education and Social Harmony The passing of Subedar (Retd.) Muhammad Jabir on 26 October 2026, after a brief illness, is a profound loss for the area. As highlighted in a tribute published by Gilgit Media Network (GMN) on 29 October, Subedar Jabir was not merely a retired military serviceman but an individual whose commitment to public service continued long after his retirement. Having served in the armed forces, he carried the virtues of military discipline, dedication and patriotism into civilian life. He subsequently devoted himself to education, mentoring young people, promoting moral values and contributing to community welfare. Many of those who benefited from his guidance reportedly went on to serve in diverse professions, including medicine, engineering, the armed forces, civil service and teaching. Equally significant was his contribution towards inter-sectarian harmony and peaceful coexistenc...

By  Syed Shamsuddin Follow on X Facebook Amir Hussain’s Facebook post of 27 October 2026 raises a profound question about the moral and intellectual direction of our society: Where have we lost our culture, our tolerance, and our time-honoured tradition of respecting differences of opinion? It is a question that deserves serious reflection, particularly in an age when social media has become an arena for instant judgments, public accusations, character assassination and demands for punishment—often without the benefit of evidence, due process or an impartial assessment of the facts. We appear to have become increasingly adept at waging battles on social media, yet less willing to champion the principles that constitute the foundation of a just and civilised society. We readily take up the cause of our preferred side, denounce those who disagree with us, ...

By  Syed Shamsuddin Follow on X Facebook A historical and cultural account of the traditional craftsmanship practised by the various linguistic communities inhabiting Gilgit-Baltistan—namely, the Shina-, Burushaski-, Balti-,Wakhi-, and Khowar-speaking communities—in the making of household utensils and other domestic articles, often known by distinct names in their respective languages. As far as this writer is aware, some of these traditional articles are made through willow weaving and are known by names such as Shakailo, Tooneh, Karai, Kharatoh,Khutool, and Thalew, among others, in the Shina language. Introduction: An Indigenous Craft Rooted in Everyday Life Long before plastic containers, metal storage racks, factory-made baskets and modern building materials reached the remote valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, the people of the region relied upon their i...

By  Syed Shamsuddin Follow on X Facebook A Twin Demand to Facilitate Students Seeking Higher Education Abroad The launch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) Digital Attestation System on 12 October 2026 is a welcome step towards making consular services more accessible, transparent and citizen-friendly. Through online applications and electronic certificates, the initiative is expected to reduce the need for physical visits to the Ministry’s offices and designated liaison offices. The development also presents an opportune moment to advance two complementary demands in the public interest: the establishment of a regional MOFA liaison office at Gilgit and the provision of local facilitation for educational document verification through the relevant federal authorities. 1. A Regional MOFA Liaison Office at Gilgit Every year, students from Gilgit-Bal...