The district administration of Mansehra has imposed a complete ban on travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan through Kaghan Valley until next summer.
According to a report published in Dawn, Assistant Commissioner Balakot, Hazrat Khan, told journalists on Wednesday that all passenger vehicles, drivers, and tourists have been restricted from travelling toward the neighbouring region of Gilgit-Baltistan due to safety concerns.
He said the decision to enforce travel restrictions between KP and GB was taken during a meeting of heads of all relevant departments.
The AC added that the administration and police of Chilas district in GB remain in contact with Mansehra authorities and have also prohibited movement on the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad Road from their side.
He further stated that tourists will only be allowed to travel up to Battakundi and Saif-ul-Malook between 11am and 3pm and only if their vehicles are equipped with snow chains as driving outside these hours is unsafe due to icy road conditions.
He clarified that travel up to Naran remains open until the next snowfall.
Most residents of Battakundi, Barawai and nearby upper areas have already migrated for winter, while the remaining families will move within a week or after the second snowfall.
The AC also noted that police posts in the upper valley have been closed for the winter season.
He said the Kaghan–Babusar Top section of the MNJ Road is expected to reopen in early May next year, and movement along the route will remain completely suspended until then.
