GILGIT: Prime Mini­ster Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of frequent traffic accidents in Gilgit Baltistan and directed the authorities take safety measures.

In an emergency online meeting presided by Qamar Zaman Kaira, adviser to the prime minister on Kashmir affairs and GB, important decisions regarding making travel safe, especially on the Karakoram Highway (KKH), Juglot-Skardu Road (JKR) and Gilgit-Shandur Expressway were made.

Mr Kaira told the attendees that the PM has expressed concern over the daily accidents in GB and has issued instructions that immediate steps should be taken to prevent these accidents. The meeting decided to deploy Motorway Police on important highways to prevent accidents.

“Since many tourists and drivers are not skilled to drive on bumpy roads, they must be warned of the possible dangers of difficult routes,” Mr Kaira said, adding that travelers fall prey to these accidents the most.

He directed the officials to place signboards prominently at accident-prone areas, adding that protective walls on important highways should be ensured. He also instructed the GB government to provide the best healthcare services to people injured in these accidents.

‘Tourism sector is very important for the economy of Pakistan. To promote this industry, it is important to make these areas safe for tourists,” he said.

GB Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani briefed the participants of the meeting about the accidents and measures taken in the recent season.

He said that infrastructure would be improved at KKH, JKR, and Gilgit-Shandur Expre­ssway before the visit of PM, which is scheduled for next month.

“Provincial government will take all possible steps to protect precious lives in these accidents,’’ he reassured.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2023