{
  "id": 19069982,
  "title": "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan agree to settle old boundary disputes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/khyber-pakhtunkhwa-gilgit-baltistan-agree-to-settle-old-boundary",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T02:33:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2043155/khyber-pakhtunkhwa-gilgit-baltistan-agree-to-settle-old-boundary-disputes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met in Islamabad to discuss resolving long-standing territorial disputes between the two regions. The meeting, which took place on Sunday, centered on boundary disputes, including those involving Shandur Top, Babusar Top, and areas around the Diamer-Bhasha and Dassu dams. Both leaders agreed that boundary disputes would be handled by the chief secretaries of each region before being brought to their respective political leadership for further discussions.\n\nThe agreement aims to address the disputes amicably, with the focus on achieving a peaceful settlement that has, in the past, led to tensions and violent clashes between communities living along the disputed territories. These disputes persist over strategically important areas such as Shandur Top, Babusar Top, and parts of Kohistan. Shandur Top, a high-altitude polo ground, is claimed by both provinces, and the matter is under consideration by a provincial boundary commission. Babusar Top, linking Mansehra with Diamer through the Kaghan Valley, remains a contested area whose ownership and jurisdiction have yet to be resolved by the federal government.\n\nOther disputes include land acquisition and compensation claims, leading to a case in the Peshawar High Court ordering the National Highway Authority and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to clear outstanding payments made to landowners whose properties were seized in 2001 for road expansion. A 2014 clash over the Harban tribe of Kohistan and the Thor tribe of Diamer resulted in five deaths and 15 injuries. A 24-member jirga successfully mediated the dispute in 2022, leading to official demarcation and compensation payments to affected Kohistan settlers. However, unresolved issues concerning areas near the Dassu Dam and Babusar Top continue to complicate relations between communities on both sides of the provincial border.\n\nDuring the meeting, representatives from private airline South Air also discussed plans to improve air connectivity between Gilgit and Islamabad. PIA currently operates a 44-seat ATR aircraft on the route, but limited capacity and frequent cancellations due to weather conditions have been problematic for patients, tourists, and government officials. South Air aims to introduce additional flights on the Islamabad-Gilgit route, using aircraft leased with a guarantee from the GB government and operated under a joint-venture arrangement. The proposed service is expected to provide more reliable air travel options for residents and visitors.",
  "summary": "KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain meet in Islamabad.—Dawn GILGIT/MANSEHRA: In a move towards resolving decades-old territorial issues, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi have agreed to initiate negotiations to settle boundary disputes between the two regions, including those involving Shandur Top,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plans faceless anti-terror courts: Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/pakistans-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-plans-faceless-anti-terror-courts-report",
        "published": "2026-11-08T14:48:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}