KP and Gilgit-Baltistan Agree to Settle Boundary Disputes
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi have agreed to start negotiations to settle old boundary disputes between the two regions. The disputes involve Shandur Top, Babusar Top, and areas around the Diamer-Bhasha and Dassu dams.
The two leaders met in Islamabad on Sunday. They discussed territorial disputes, better air connectivity to Gilgit-Baltistan, and training for relevant officials.
A statement from the GB Chief Minister's Secretariat said the chief secretaries of both regions will handle the boundary disputes first. The matter will then go to their political leadership for further discussion.
The goal is to solve disputes involving villages along the KP-GB boundary through mutual understanding and peaceful talks.
An official at the meeting told Dawn that both sides want a peaceful settlement of these long-standing disputes. These disputes have caused tensions and violent clashes between communities living in the disputed areas.
Key Disputed Areas
KP and Gilgit-Baltistan still disagree over several important areas, including Shandur Top, Babusar Top, and parts of Kohistan.
Shandur Top, which has the world's highest polo ground at about 12,500 feet, is claimed by both provinces. A provincial boundary commission is currently looking into the matter.
Babusar Top connects Mansehra with Diamer through Kaghan Valley. Its ownership and jurisdiction are still unresolved by the federal government. The dispute has also affected land acquisition and compensation claims. The Peshawar High Court has directed the NHA and KP government to clear pending payments to landowners whose land was acquired in 2001 for road expansion.
Another major dispute involves the Harban tribe of Kohistan and the Thor tribe of Diamer over an eight-kilometre stretch near the Diamer-Bhasha Dam. A clash in 2014 over this land killed five people and injured 15 others.
A 24-member jirga settled this decades-old dispute in 2022. This allowed official demarcation and compensation payments to affected settlers in Kohistan.
However, other questions about land near the Dassu Dam and Babusar Top continue to create problems between communities on both sides of the provincial boundary.
South Air offers to operate flights to northern areas
Improving Air Connectivity
The meeting in Islamabad also focused on better air connectivity between Gilgit and Islamabad. Passengers have faced problems for a long time due to limited flights and frequent cancellations.
At present, PIA operates a 44-seat ATR aircraft on the Islamabad-Gilgit route. The small number of seats and weather-related cancellations make air travel difficult for patients, tourists, and government officials who use this service.
Gilgit airport cannot handle larger aircraft, which further limits travel options.
During the meeting, representatives of the private airline South Air also discussed adding more air services with the GB chief minister.
According to an official source, aircraft will be taken on lease against a guarantee from the GB government. South Air will operate flights under a joint-venture arrangement.
The proposed service is expected to bring weather-compliant aircraft to the Islamabad-Gilgit route. This could make air travel more reliable for residents and visitors.
Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2026
Source: dawn