Diamer

Babusar Pass closed for traffic due to heavy snow

The administration of Diamer district has decided to close Babusar Pass due to heavy snowfall and danger of accidents. Though snowfall started as early as 25th Sptember but vehicles were allowed to by-pass a major section of Karakoram Highway using the the pass. Accodring to a press release issued by the office of Assistant Commissioner Diamer, Babusar Pass will remain closed until further notice. The pass is expected to open in late autumn next year.

Published

8 years ago

November 2, 2016

Imran Ahmed Hunzai

The administration of Diamer district has decided to close Babusar Pass due to heavy snowfall and danger of accidents. Though snowfall started as early as 25th September but vehicles were allowed to by-pass a major section of Karakoram Highway using Babusar. According to a press release issued by the office of Assistant Commissioner Diamer, Babusar Pass will remain closed until further notice. The pass is expected to open in late autumn next year.

Babusar Pass connects Naran-Kaghan road to Karakoram Highway reducing more than 6 hours of travel time making it a great choice for travelers. Unfortunately, the route remains closed due to heavy snowfall on Babusar Top.

The route has recently been renovated and offers a relatively good traveling experience but there have been a number of accidents majorly due to brake failure resulting in multiple fatalities.

A multi-billion project of a tunnel can make this route operational in all seasons. Rumors are that one such tunnel is planned under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) but there has been no official word about this.

This year, Babusar Pass was opened for public transport and tourists in May.

Read this post in Urdu

Imran Ahmed Hunzai

Imran is a Digital Media professional and blogger based in Islamabad, Pakistan. When free, he likes to travel, do photography, and play Rabab. He also runs a HONY inspired blog called Humans of Hunza. He Tweets @imranhunzai.

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Diamer

Young Doctor Usama Riaz from Gilgit-Baltistan passes away fighting against Coronavirus

Published

5 years ago

March 21, 2020

GBee Staff

Usama Riaz (Facebook)

Young doctor Usama Riaz has passed away after battling against Coronavirus disease at District Headquarter Hospital, Gilgit. He was admitted to an intensive care unit at DHQ Hospital Gilgit. He had contracted COVID-19 while working with coronavirus patients at a quarantine center in Joglot, Gilgit, set up for Zaireen coming from Iran.

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan through the information department made the announcement. Earlier, young doctors including Dr. Ejaz Ayub, the President of Young Doctor Association Gilgit-Baltistan, had blamed the provincial government for not providing the safety kits to doctors and paramedics.

Dr. Usama Riaz Coronavirus DHQ Hospital Gilgit-Baltistan — Dr. Usama Riaz battled for his life in an ICU at DHQ Hospital Gilgit for a week.

Dr. Usama Riaz had recently completed his medical degree from Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur. He was one of the team members of 10 paramedics and doctors deputed on duty at Coronavirus quarantine center in Jaglot near Gilgit city.

Dr. Usama Riaz had posted a photo of his convocation just a year ago. Shortly after his graduation, he came back to Gilgit-Baltistan and started his job with the People’s Primary Health Care Initiative (PPHI).

Dr. Usama Riaz belonged to Chilas, Diamer, but was settled in Gilgit. He is expected to be laid to rest tomorrow under strict protocol.

Dr. Usama Riaz Shaheed from Gilgit-Baltistan with his friends. — A memorable picture of Dr. Usama Riaz with his university friends.

Dr. Usama Riaz Shaheed from Gilgit-Baltistan — A memorable picture of Dr. Usama Riaz with his university friends.

The Chief Minister and Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan have paid their tribute to Dr. Usama Riaz for his services. Numerous national and international leaders also sent their wishes and tributes on Facebook and Twitter.

Started in Wuhan, China, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has now affected over half a million people across 160 countries with the death toll now reaching to twenty thousand. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Coronavirus disease a pandemic.

In Pakistan, the number of active coronavirus cases are now over one thousand, which consists of many Zaireen who have recently returned from Iran through the Taftan border.

Diamer

Young Doctor from Gilgit-Baltistan working with Coronavirus patients shifted to ICU

Published

5 years ago

March 19, 2020

GBee Staff

A young doctor from the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan has been shifted to an intensive care unit (ICU) after he contracted coronavirus while working with affected patients. The doctor named Usama Riaz was on-duty in Jaglot town some 45 km from Gilgit where he contracted the coronavirus disease.

Dr. Usama Riaz has been admitted to District Headquarter Hospital DHQ, Gilgit. Initial reports suggest that he has brain damage with little chances of recovery.

The government has set up a quarantine center for the Zaireen who have recently come from Iran through the Taftan border.

According to Dr. Ejaz Ayub, the president of the Gilgit-Baltistan Young Doctors Association, the government has failed to provide safety kits to the doctors and paramedics working with the Zaireen kept in isolation many of whom are suspected of carrying the Coronavirus disease.

Talking to a press conference in Gilgit, Dr. Ejaz Ayub said that doctors and paramedics are working closely with the Coronavirus patients despite the unavailability of safety kits.

The active Coronavirus disease cases in Pakistan are rising and expected to grow over the next few months. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19).