News
Pakistan Completes 66km Astore–Skardu Road, Improving Regional Connectivity
By Mariam Khan
Real Estate Analyst
3 min read
The Pakistan Army has completed a 66-kilometre road connecting Shagma in Astore with Manthokha in Skardu, in Gilgit-Baltistan. The route reportedly reduces travel time between the two districts to a few hours and restores direct connectivity for eight villages in the Gultari area. Army announcements are published by ISPR. No specific property investment projects have been announced in connection with the road.
Why the Gultari Villages Are the Clearest Gain
The most specific benefit reported is the restoration of direct connectivity for eight villages in the Gultari area. For those communities, a direct road is a change in daily access to markets, health care and schools. The reports we have do not name the villages, give their population or say how they were connected before, so we cannot quantify the change.
Why "A Few Hours" Is Not a Precise Figure
The road reportedly cuts travel between the two districts to a few hours. The reports do not give the previous travel time, the road's standard, such as whether it is paved, or whether it can be used in winter. Those details determine how useful the road is in practice, particularly in a mountain region where seasonal closures are common.
Why Gilgit-Baltistan's Connectivity Matters for Property
Improved regional accessibility could support tourism-related accommodation, local commerce and future development, although none of that has been announced. Tourism-linked property in the region depends on reliable roads and on safe building, which we covered in the €54m project to build climate-resilient homes in Gilgit-Baltistan. Land prices along new roads in remote areas can rise on expectation alone, which carries risks for buyers.
Why Another Road in the North Is Worth Tracking
Road works in the north have been a recurring theme in recent infrastructure coverage. The NHA has been using its own revenues for projects including the Jaglot–Skardu Road reconstruction, as we reported in PM Orders Third-Party Audit of All NHA Projects, Pushes PPP Model. The Astore–Skardu road is a separate project completed by the Army, and the reports do not connect the two.
What This Means for Residents, Businesses and Investors
Residents of the Gultari area should see the benefit first. Tourism operators and local businesses may find the new link useful for planning, but should confirm the road's condition and seasonal access before committing money. Investors should wait for concrete project announcements and land-use rules before buying land because of the road. Updates will come from ISPR and the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan.