VISIT HUNZA PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: Undeterred by its reputation of killer mountain and the unfortunate death of climbers in late June, expeditions were returning to capture Nanga Parbat this winter. All three expeditions from Poland, Italy and Germany had got permission to climb the world’s ninth highest peak from the western end of the Himalayan Range ending in Pakistan. Simone Moro, a respected name among the mountaineers, is leading the Italian expedition. He is known for his first ever winter ascents of three of the eight thousanders (peak above eight thousand metres), the Shisha Pangma in China in 2005, Makalu, on the border of Nepal and China in 2009 and then the Gasherbrum II in Pakistan in 2011. German climber Ralf Dujmovits who is also attempting the Nanga Parbat this winter was also arriving into Pakistan with the Italians and the Poles in December. In 2009, he became the 16th person in the world to have captured the peaks of all the 14 eight thousand plus mountains in the world....

The Pakistan – China border at the Khunzhrav National Park (misspelled in official documents as Khunjerab) has been closed for traffic. As part of the 1985 border protocol, the road remains closed for almost five months during the severe winter. The road remains inaccessible and unusable due to several feet of snowfall during the winter season every year. The road will reopen in the month of April for trade and traffic. The Pakistani traders in various cities of Xinjiang province have been asked to return by the 3rd of December, 2013. Road trade between the two countries has diminished drastically due to closure of the strategic Karakoram Highway, near Attabad village, in upper Hunza Valley, since January 4, 2010. (Pamir Times)

Islamabad: The terrorist attack near West Face of the Nanga Parbat mountain is a conspiracy aimed at destabilization of Pakistan’s economy. If the government and law enforcing agencies act fast the terrorists behind the massacre can easily be arrested, because it would take anyone at least 18 hours to get out of the region. Around 250,000 people’s lives in Gilgit-Baltistan will be affected directly if the tourism industry cripples. These views were expressed by Amjad Ayub, President of Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), at a hurriedly called press conference here in Islamabad. Also present at the press conference were Ashraf Aman, Ghulam Nabi Raikoti, Karar Haideri and representatives of other tour operating agencies. Responding to a question, Ayub said that enemies of Pakistan, who are “well-known”, are behind the incident, without giving any names. However, he said that it is highly unlikely for any local to be behind the massacre, “because their lives depend on tour...

Islamabad: Chaudhary Nisar, Federal Interior Minister, has suspended the Inspector General of Police and Chief Secretary, reacting to the massacre of nine foreign tourists and their Pakistani guide near the base camp of Nanga Parbat mountain. He made the announcement today while addressing the national assembly. He said that the security lapse will be investigated and the causes will be found out. (Pamir Times) 

Updated at 05:51 “Government of Pakistan will make arrangements to transport the dead bodies to respective countries. Senior minister of the federal govt will accompany the bodies as a mark of respect”, said Chaudhary Nisar, while talking to the media, flanked by Chinese and Ukrainian ambassador. Updated at 05:45 Dead bodies of the murdered tourists have been flown to Islamabad. Tight security measures have been taken around the Chaklala Air Base. The bodies will be sent to their respective countries, tonight or tomorrow, an official of the GB govt told Pamir Times. Updated at 05:40 People are condemning the terrorist act, asking the government to take strict action against the terrorists. You can also join www.facebook.com/thapamirpage to share your reaction to the heinous act of terrorism. Updated at 03:50 The dead bodies of the victims of terrorism in Diamer are now being shifted to Chaklala Airbase, in Islamabad. Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed M...