Pakistan’s Army announced on 8 October 2026 that it has finished a 66‑kilometre road linking the village of Shagma in Astore District with Manthokha in Skardu, dramatically shortening the journey between the two valleys of Gilgit‑Baltistan.
The new stretch snakes through steep, rugged mountain terrain that had long hampered transport, demanding the deployment of heavy‑duty excavators, rock‑drilling rigs and specialized blasting teams. Engineers and labourers worked through unpredictable weather, including sudden snowfalls and high‑altitude winds, to carve a stable carriageway through the Himalayas.
Prior to the project, residents and traders relied on narrow, often impassable tracks that could take several hours longer to negotiate, especially during the winter months. The completed road offers a more reliable and faster conduit, improving the flow of goods such as locally produced fruits, wool and handicrafts to markets in Skardu and beyond.
Tourism operators anticipate a boost as the route opens up previously hard‑to‑reach attractions, including trekking paths and cultural sites, making day trips from the popular Skardu hub feasible for both domestic and international visitors. Easier access is also expected to enhance emergency response capabilities and the delivery of health and education services to remote communities along the corridor.
The undertaking highlights the Pakistan Army’s expanding role in national infrastructure development, particularly in the northern frontier where civilian agencies often lack the logistical capacity to execute large‑scale projects. By improving connectivity in Gilgit‑Baltistan, the project aligns with broader government objectives of integrating the region more closely with the country’s economic mainstream while strengthening strategic mobility in a geopolitically sensitive area.