PoGB: Phander residents protest, demand restoration of road cut off by severe weather

ANI April 5, 2025 129 views

Residents of Phander Tehsil in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan are facing a critical humanitarian situation after severe weather cut off their road access. For over a week, the community has been without electricity, communication services, and essential supplies, causing significant distress. Local hospitals cannot treat patients, and schools remain closed, amplifying the community's challenges. The protesters are demanding immediate government intervention to restore roads and provide urgent relief, highlighting the growing desperation of the region's inhabitants.

"We are desperate and need immediate government intervention" - Phander Protest Organizer
Gilgit, April 5: Residents of Phander Tehsil in the Ghizer district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan held a protest outside the Gilgit Press Club on Friday, demanding urgent action to restore vital road access that has been cut off due to severe weather conditions, Pamir Times reported.

Key Points

1

Severe weather has completely isolated Phander Tehsil region

2

Residents lack electricity, communication, and essential supplies

3

Hospitals and schools unable to function normally

4

Community staging protests for urgent government action

The protesters, including men and women from the affected region, voiced their frustration over the slow pace of road restoration efforts and the lack of basic amenities in the area, Pamir Times reported.

For the past week, Phander Tehsil has been completely isolated, with heavy rains and snow blocking roads, while the residents have been without electricity, mobile, or internet services.

The ongoing crisis has left the community grappling with severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. Local hospitals have been facing significant challenges in treating patients, and the region's students have been unable to attend their schools, as reported by the Pamir Times.

With Eid ul-Fitr celebrations overshadowed by this calamity, the residents are growing desperate. Families are struggling to provide basic needs for their children, and there is growing concern over the health and well-being of elderly citizens. The lack of communication with the outside world has exacerbated feelings of isolation and helplessness.

The protestors have called on the government to clear the blocked roads and provide urgent relief to the residents of the region. However, the response from authorities has been slow, and many residents are now fearing that the situation could deteriorate even further if help doesn't arrive soon.

As the community anxiously awaits relief, the protests outside the Gilgit Press Club reflect the growing frustration among Phander Tehsil's residents, who are grappling with the severe weather's aftermath while also seeking help from the government and relief organizations.

The people of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) have regularly staged protests to raise their voices on a range of social, economic, and political issues. They have called for justice, equality, and better living conditions, urging the authorities to address their concerns and work towards securing a brighter future for their communities.

Reader Comments

A
Asif K.
This is heartbreaking 💔 The government needs to act immediately! These people have been without basic necessities for too long. How can we celebrate Eid when our brothers and sisters are suffering like this?
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Sadia R.
I have family in Phander and haven't been able to contact them for days. The communication blackout is terrifying. Authorities must prioritize restoring roads and telecom services!
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Nazir A.
While I sympathize with the residents, I wonder if better disaster preparedness could have prevented this situation. The region is prone to extreme weather - where are the contingency plans?
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Fatima Z.
The images from Phander are devastating. No electricity, no medicine, cut off from the world... This is 2023, we should have better systems in place to help remote communities during emergencies.
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Tariq M.
I've been to Phander - it's one of the most beautiful places in GB. But beauty means nothing when people can't access basic needs. The government must allocate more resources to infrastructure in these areas.
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Zahra B.
The elderly and children are most vulnerable in these situations 😢 Are there any local charities organizing aid? I'd like to contribute if possible.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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