The district administration of Mansehra has announced a complete ban on travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) via the Kaghan Valley until next summer.
“We have now completely restricted passenger vehicles, motorists and tourists from travelling to neighbouring GB for their safety,” Assistant Commissioner Balakot Hasrat Khan told reporters on Wednesday.
He said the decision was taken during a meeting attended by heads of all relevant departments.
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The AC added that authorities in Chilas, GB, along with local police, had coordinated with Mansehra’s administration and also imposed a travel ban along the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad section of the road.
Mr Khan said tourists will only be allowed to travel up to Battakundi and Saiful Muluk between 11 am and 3 pm, and only if vehicles have chained tyres.
“Vehicles cannot move safely on icy roads before or after the four-hour period,” he explained.
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He clarified that there are no restrictions for travel up to Naran until the next snowfall.
The official noted that most of the local residents in Barawai, Battakundi, and other areas beyond Naran have already migrated, while the remaining people are expected to leave within a week or after the second snowfall in the Kaghan Valley.
Police posts in the upper reaches of the valley have also been closed for the winter.
“We expect the Kaghan–Babusar Top section of the MNJ road to reopen in early May next year, and until then the valley will remain completely closed to movement,” he added.
