Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

The construction of the historic Karakoram Highway in Pakistan began in the 1960s, with engineers from the Pakistan Army risking their lives to star the gigantic work. The engineers were flown to China to survey and create a dirt road, starting their descent towards Pakistan from there.

Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan is not only blessed with some spectacular natural scenery but some man-made wonders also add up to its glory. One exceptional edifice embellishing the breathtaking surroundings is the redoubtable Baltit Fort that was the royal residence of ruling families of Hunza.

Foundations of this wonderful building were laid some 700 years ago and it became not only the residence of the Mirs of Hunza but also served as defence bastion in case of an attack.

GILGIT: The winter sports festival, with colourful performances by local athletes and artists, concluded in Gulkin village of Hunza.

The venue of the event was Attabad lake, however, later it was shifted to Gulkin village in Gojal. The event attracted local people and tourists amid freezing temperature. The event was organised by GB Tourism Department to promote winter tourism in the region and for revival of indigenous games. Iqbal Hussain, director of GB Tourism Department told Dawn that the concept of arranging the seven-day event was derived from the snow leopard.

In Murtazabad, a mountain village in Hunza, Pakistan, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has introduced a system that uses trees to safely and sustainably treat wastewater. AKAH, together with the local community, planted thousands of trees and aquatic plants to filter treated wastewater, limiting the release of effluent into the Hunza River. This “green infrastructure” helps improve access to sustainable, clean sanitation while also restoring the natural ecosystem.

Gilgit, Pakistan, 30 April 2021 - Prime Minister Imran Khan today unveiled the plaque at a ceremony in Chinarbagh, Gilgit to lay the foundation of Hunza’s first Information Technology Park located in Nasirabad, Hunza. Established jointly by Special Communications Organization of the Government of Pakistan and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, the IT Park in Hunza will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure with un-interrupted power supply, high-speed internet facility and a co-working space for small and growing businesses, start-ups, freelancers, and chamber of commerce.

LAHORE: The World Wildlife Fund - Pakistan captured rare footage of about 50 Himalayan ibex near Passu Glacier in Hunza Valley, The News reported Thursday.

The Himalayan ibex is indigenous to Pakistan's Himalayan and Karakoram range.

WWF-Pakistan’s team captured the footage with a local wildlife photographer to understand how communities have protected wildlife in the area, a press statement by the WWF-Pakistan read.

Hunza Valley has become Pakistan’s first plastic-free area and district — Malik Amin Aslam.

PTI Govt. is planning to replicate the success of the project in other provinces.
“Hunza district has been declared a plastic-free zone while on the other hand Hunza valley has become the first district in Asia to be plastic-bag free,” said Aslam. “The people of Hunza deserve congratulations for implementing the ban. I hope they will continue cooperating with the administration to keep the city clean and free of plastic bags,”

Prince Rahim Aga Khan seen in an Ismaili shop in Hunza 2018-10-29

THE AGA KHAN VISITS THE RECENTLY RESTORED BALTIT FORT IN THE HIMALAYAS 1996-01-01

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In a conservation effort that took nearly a decade to complete, one NGO has undertaken the comprehensive restoration and repair of Baltit Fort, making it a beautiful and functional building, writes Fauzia Husain. Nestled high in the mountains and surrounded by unrivalled vistas of rugged terrain, stands a 700-year-old fort which has been witness to the socio-cultural history of a resilient people, and to a remarkable feat of modern day conservation.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has restored the prime historic landmark of the 700 year old Baltit Fort on the terraced slopes in Hunza, in Northern Pakistan. The main theme of the project is to preserve this setting despite natural decay and the inevitable impact of recent changes, such as urbanisation which has begun to threaten the integrity of the built heritage.

2006, November 03 - Northern Areas, Pakistan: Fri Nov 3, 3:04 PM - Britain's Prince Charles (2L) and his wife Camilla (C) and Paris-based Prince Karim Aga Khan (R) visit the residential area of 900-year-old fort in Altit Fort, Pakistan.