Media Lens - English

31/07/2025

31/07/2025

World Ranger Day 2025 Celebrated in Gilgit to Honor Biodiversity Protectors

World Ranger Day 2025 was celebrated today in Gilgit to acknowledge and honor the invaluable contributions of rangers in safeguarding the region’s rich biodiversity. The event was organized under the SMART Project of WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with the Parks and Wildlife Department Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

Mr. Zakir Hussain, Chief Conservator of Parks and Wildlife GB, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The event was also attended by the Conservator of Parks and Wildlife GB, Divisional Forest Officers, and Range Forest Officers from across the department.

Rangers from Gilgit, Nagar, Khunjerab National Park, and Qurumber National Park actively participated in the celebration. In recognition of their dedicated service, rangers were presented with shields at the conclusion of the event.

This celebration served as a reminder of the vital role rangers play in conservation efforts, often working in challenging and remote environments to protect Pakistan’s natural heritage.

ورلڈ رینجر ڈے 2025: گلگت میں حیاتیاتی تنوع کے محافظوں کو خراجِ تحسین پیش کیا گیا

ورلڈ رینجر ڈے 2025 آج گلگت میں منایا گیا تاکہ علاقے کے بھرپور حیاتیاتی تنوع کے تحفظ میں رینجرز کی قیمتی خدمات کو سراہا جا سکے۔ یہ تقریب ڈبلیو ڈبلیو ایف-پاکستان کے اسمارٹ پروجیکٹ کے تحت محکمہ پارکس اینڈ وائلڈ لائف گلگت بلتستان کے اشتراک سے منعقد کی گئی۔

محکمہ پارکس اینڈ وائلڈ لائف گلگت بلتستان کے چیف کنزرویٹر، ذاکر حسین، تقریب کے مہمانِ خصوصی تھے۔ اس موقع پر کنزرویٹر پارکس اینڈ وائلڈ لائف، ڈویژنل فاریسٹ افسران، اور رینج فاریسٹ افسران نے بھی شرکت کی۔

گلگت، نگر، خنجراب نیشنل پارک اور قرمبر نیشنل پارک سے تعلق رکھنے والے رینجرز نے بھرپور شرکت کی۔ ان کی انتھک خدمات کے اعتراف کے طور پر، تقریب کے اختتام پر رینجرز کو شیلڈز پیش کی گئیں۔

یہ تقریب رینجرز کے اس کلیدی کردار کو اجاگر کرنے کا ذریعہ بنی جو وہ قدرتی ورثے کے تحفظ کے لیے ادا کرتے ہیں — اکثر دور دراز اور دشوار گزار علاقوں میں کام کرتے ہوئے، وہ پاکستان کی قدرتی خوبصورتی اور حیاتیاتی تنوع کو محفوظ رکھنے میں مصروفِ عمل رہتے ہیں۔

31/07/2025

Gilgit – "Decent Livelihood: A Right of Every Family" – HRCP holds event at Gilgit Press Club. President of Gilgit Press Club, Tahir Rana, addresses the gathering.

31/07/2025

Flash Floods Hit Ishkoman Valley
Over a dozen houses damaged and more than 100 families evacuated to safer locations as flash floods cause widespread destruction in Ishkoman Valley. Property and infrastructure also severely affected.

31/07/2025

IHC dismisses plea against GB CEC’s reappointment
Islamabad High Court has rejected a petition challenging the reappointment of Gilgit-Baltistan's Chief Election Commissioner, citing lack of jurisdiction.

بریکنگ
اسلام آباد: اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ نے بدھ کے روز گلگت بلتستان کے چیف الیکشن کمشنر کی دوبارہ تقرری کے خلاف دائر درخواست کو دائرہ اختیار نہ ہونے کی بنیاد پر مسترد کر دیا۔

جسٹس خادم حسین سومرو کی جانب سے جاری فیصلے میں کہا گیا ہے کہ یہ عدالت گلگت بلتستان سے متعلق درخواست سننے کا اختیار نہیں رکھتی۔

عدالت نے واضح کیا میڈیا لینز کے مطابق کہ وہ درخواست کے میرٹ پر کوئی رائے نہیں دے رہی اور درخواست گزار متعلقہ فورم سے رجوع کر سکتا ہے۔

31/07/2025

Flash floods have completely destroyed several houses in Jutal, a suburban area of Gilgit.
The Media Lens team is currently on the ground.
Reporting the latest situation from the affected site is Shabbir Mir, with cameraman Nauman Ansar.

30/07/2025

𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐖𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐜 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐤𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥

Ishkoman: Torrential rains triggered devastating flash floods in multiple areas of Ishkoman valley on Tuesday evening, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, houses, and livelihoods. The downpour, which began around 4:00 PM and lasted for approximately 20 minutes, led to sudden and powerful floodwaters in the localities of Palguzar, Dotabadal, Faizabad Bala, and Faizabad Pain.

According to initial reports:

- Between 10 to 15 houses were completely damages, while an additional 30 to 40 homes sustained partial damage.
- A community Center in Faizabad Pain suffered structural damage.
- Faizabad Inter College was fully destroyed.
- The main connecting road from Dawoodabad to Faizabad Bala has been rendered impossible due to multiple blockages and damage.
- Eight to ten shops, one car, and several motorcycles were swept away.
- Widespread crop destruction, including wheat and maize, has been reported across agricultural fields.

Local elders, youth, and volunteers have launched immediate rescue and relief efforts to relocate affected families to safer areas.

Source: IMRAN ZONOO

30/07/2025

"Why are we not being allowed to return to China?"
Frustrated Chinese nationals stage protest, block Karakoram Highway in Sost.

30/07/2025

German Olympian Laura Dahlmeier Confirmed Dead on Laila Peak

Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan – 30 July 2025

The rescue mission launched to save German Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier has ended in tragedy.

According to Faizullah Faraq, spokesperson for the Gilgit-Baltistan government, “the rescue team has confirmed that Laura has died.” The announcement came after days of intense efforts to locate and evacuate the injured climber from Laila Peak in the Karakoram range.

Dahlmeier, 31, was struck by a rockfall on 28 July at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres. Her climbing partner, Marina Eva, managed to descend safely and alert authorities. Despite aerial reconnaissance and ground deployment of expert climbers, “no signs of life were detected,” officials said earlier.

“The rescue team will inform us once the body is brought down,” Faraq added. He also stated that “if the team requests further support, we will dispatch the helicopter again.”

Dahlmeier was one of Germany’s most decorated biathletes, having won two Olympic gold medals and seven world championship titles. She retired from professional sport in 2019 and had since pursued mountaineering full-time. Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the international sporting and climbing communities.

As reported by Al Jazeera, “Laura Dahlmeier is believed to be seriously injured after being hit by a rockfall near the summit of Pakistan’s Laila Peak… No signs of life were detected”.

The region, known for its towering peaks and unpredictable weather, has seen several fatal incidents in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Czech climber Klára Kolouchová died on Nanga Parbat, and Pakistani mountaineer Iftikhar Sadpara was killed in an avalanche on K2.

30/07/2025

Chilas (via Muhammad Ali): A Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) bus has been stranded since last night at Thak Pari Ka in Chilas. The bus driver has appealed to the government to take immediate action for its recovery.

30/07/2025

Exclusive Interview: GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan
Host: Shabbir Mir

In a candid conversation, the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Haji Gulbar Khan, shared that the destruction caused by the recent floods was far beyond what was initially estimated.

He also spoke openly about his political future and addressed key issues related to opposition parties — Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Peoples Party, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Watch the full interview, only on Media Lens.

29/07/2025

Gilgit-Baltistan Flood Relief Update
Heavy rains triggered devastating floods across Babusar, Thak Niat, Thor, and Danyore, stranding tourists and damaging roads and property.
Rescue and relief operations are underway with the support of Pak Army, FCNA, and provincial authorities. Affected families are being relocated and provided with aid.