Federal govt announces new road projects in GB

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Thursday announced a set of road infrastructure schemes for Gilgit-Baltistan, with Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan reviewing both ongoing and proposed highway projects during a meeting at the National Highway Authority (NHA) headquarters.

According to the decisions taken in the meeting chaired by the minister, several new roads will be built in the region. The projects include a 54-kilometre road from Astore to Chilam Chowki and a 31-kilometre road from Deosai to Skardu.

The announcement comes as Gilgit-Baltistan moves closer to elections. The projects were presented as part of efforts to improve connectivity and support tourism in the mountainous region.

Projects reviewed at NHA meeting

The meeting focused on both under-construction and proposed road schemes in Gilgit-Baltistan. During the session, Abdul Aleem Khan examined the status of highway-related plans and approved decisions on new road links aimed at connecting key areas.

Among the schemes announced, the Astore-Chilam Chowki road will span 54 kilometres, while the Deosai-Skardu road will cover 31 kilometres. Both routes are expected to add to the region’s road network and improve access between important destinations in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The government linked the road-building push to broader goals of better transport links and increased tourist movement. Gilgit-Baltistan is home to some of the country’s most visited mountain destinations, and road access remains a central issue in travel and regional connectivity.

Election-season development push

The announcement was made ahead of the upcoming election, with the federal government unveiling the projects at a time of heightened political activity in the region. The move was described as part of an effort to improve infrastructure while also appealing to voters.

No further project timelines, cost estimates or completion schedules were stated in the report. However, the decisions announced at the NHA headquarters meeting indicate that the federal government is moving ahead with new road construction plans in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The latest announcement adds to the focus on road connectivity in the northern areas, where transport links are often presented as essential for mobility, trade and tourism. In this case, the government specifically highlighted tourism promotion and improved connectivity as the main objectives behind the new schemes.

With the two road projects now announced, attention is likely to turn to the next stages of planning and execution for the Astore-Chilam Chowki and Deosai-Skardu routes.