MANSEHRA: The district administration has imposed a complete ban on travel between Kaghan Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan via the Naran–Jalkhad route until next summer, citing dangerous winter conditions and heavy snowfall.
Assistant Commissioner Balakot Hazrat Khan told reporters on Wednesday that all movement of tourists, drivers, and passenger vehicles toward Gilgit-Baltistan has been halted purely for safety reasons. He said the decision was taken in a joint meeting of the heads of all relevant departments.
The AC confirmed that the administration and police of the Chilas district in GB are in coordination with Mansehra officials, and they too have suspended travel on the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad road. He added that tourists will only be allowed to travel up to Battakundi and Saif-ul-Malook between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and only with cars fitted with snow chains, as driving outside these hours is extremely unsafe due to icy slopes.
While Naran remains accessible, the AC said that residents of upper areas such as Battakundi and Barawai have already started migrating to lower regions for winter. The remaining families are expected to relocate after the next spell of snowfall.
Police checkpoints in the upper Kaghan Valley have been shut down for the winter season. Authorities expect that the Kaghan–Babusar Top section of the MNJ Road will reopen in early May next year, until which time movement in the upper valleys will remain completely suspended.
