Residents of the Gahkuch Khari area in Gilgit Baltistan, specifically in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB), have raised concerns about the effectiveness of a cleanliness drive recently carried out. Despite the administration's claims of development in the region, locals feel that the situation remains dire, especially regarding trash and sewage management. The residents are dissatisfied with the current state of affairs and believe that the government's efforts are merely superficial, as highlighted by issues such as clogged sewage pipes and foul odors in the area due to improper waste disposal.
Bakhtawar Shah, a local resident, voiced his disappointment with the 'Clean and Green Pakistan' campaign run by the PoGB administration, labeling it as merely a facade. He pointed out the stark reality faced by the people living in the area, emphasizing the hazardous conditions caused by the accumulation of garbage. Another resident, Muhammad Khan, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the lack of appointed sweepers for street cleaning and the resulting health risks faced by children playing in unsanitary conditions. Despite promises of a cleaner environment, residents see no significant improvements and attribute the region's backwardness to corruption and neglect.
In Skardu, another area in PoGB, local concerns have escalated as news reports showcase residents expressing their frustrations over administrative apathy toward resolving issues. From destroyed sewerage pipes contaminating drinking water to structural damage in homes due to water seepage, the residents' grievances encompass a range of environmental and health hazards. Despite protests, written appeals, and meetings with officials, the residents feel let down by the lack of tangible solutions to address the longstanding problems plaguing Gilgit Baltistan. Frustration mounts as promises of repair work remain unfulfilled, leaving locals to seek basic assistance such as arranging for excavators to alleviate immediate threats to their well-being.