KHAPLU, Gilgit-Baltistan: At least 20 people were killed and over a dozen others were injured after a bus plunged into a gorge in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials said on Friday.
The passenger bus was en route to Hunza from the garrison city of Rawalpindi when it plunged into a 300-meter-deep ravine near the Gunar Farm area in GB’s Diamer district, according to Sardar Sheheryar Khan, senior superintendent of police (SSP).
Rescue 1122, police and paramilitary Frontier Constabulary and GB Scouts immediately reached the site and shifted all bodies and injured persons to the Regional Headquarters Hospital in Chilas.
“Soon after the accident, announcements were made from loudspeakers of mosques and local people rushed to the site and joined hands with the administration for the rescue,” Khan told Arab News.
“Dozens of locals are at the hospital for blood donation. Emergency has been imposed at the hospital and all doctors and paramedical staff are busy treating the injured.”
The driver lost control of the bus, which carried 42 passengers, while navigating a curve and it fell into the ravine, according to officials.
“Among the five critically injured, two were shifted to Gilgit via road and three others will be airlifted by army helicopter soon,” Fiaz Ahmad, the Diamer deputy commissioner told reporters.
“Best treatment was being given to injured,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed regret over the loss of precious lives in the accident. “The prime minister issued directives to provide all possible medical aid to the injured,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. “We equally share the sorrow of the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” he said in a statement.
Road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed and roads, particularly in many rural areas, are in poor condition. In the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region, road tragedies are daily news.
In July 2023 alone, at least 41 people, including tourists, were killed in road mishaps across the region, according to rescue officials. In 2022, at least 77 people died and 467 were wounded in accidents in GB.
At least 20 killed as bus plunges into gorge in northern Pakistan
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At least 20 killed as bus plunges into gorge in northern Pakistan
- The bus, which carried 42 passengers, was en route to Rawalpindi from Hunza
- Road accidents are common in Pakistan, where traffic rules are rarely followed
UAE, Pakistan launch new feeder service to strengthen maritime connectivity
- The new service establishes a regular shipping link between Karachi and the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan
- It will support supply chain continuity and help ensure Pakistan’s trade maintains dependable access to global markets
KARACHI: Pakistan and Emirati authorities have launched a new feeder service linking Karachi with the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan to strengthen maritime connectivity, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) announced on Thursday.
The UAE is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, after China and the United States. Policymakers in Pakistan consider the UAE an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs
The new service establishes a regular shipping link between Karachi and two of the region’s key transshipment hubs, enabling Pakistani importers and exporters to maintain reliable access to global container shipping networks.
The service will call at the Karachi Gateway Terminal Limited (KGTL), part of AD Ports Group’s international operating arm, Noatum Ports. The first vessel of the service arrived at KGTL on the evening of 11 March, officially marking the start of regular operations.
“The introduction of this feeder service further enhances Karachi Port’s connectivity with key regional hubs and supports Pakistan’s growing trade requirements,” KPT Chairman Rear Admiral (Retd.) Shahid Ahmed said in a statement.
“Strengthening maritime links with the UAE will help facilitate smoother cargo movement while providing greater flexibility for the country’s trading community as per the vision of honorable Minister for Maritime Affairs Mr.Junaid Anwar Choudhry.”
Pakistan’s economy relies heavily on maritime trade, and strengthened connectivity with regional transshipment hubs provides additional resilience for exporters, importers and supply chains. The new feeder link supports supply chain continuity through KGTL and helps ensure Pakistan’s trade maintains dependable access to international markets, according to KPT.
Cargo routed through Fujairah and Khor Fakkan will benefit from seamless connectivity to regional and international shipping networks, supported by the UAE’s advanced logistics infrastructure. Containers can be efficiently transferred via integrated road and rail corridors to major commercial hubs and logistics centers across the UAE.
“The commencement of this feeder service reflects KGTL’s continued commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s maritime connectivity and supporting the country’s trading community,” said KGTL Chief Executive Officer Khurram Aziz Khan.
“By linking Karachi directly with major UAE transshipment hubs, this service provides importers and exporters with reliable access to global shipping networks while reinforcing the role of Karachi Gateway Terminal as a key gateway for international trade.”
