PM Announces Rs2.5m Reward for GB Shepherds Who Save 300 Villagers

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday met three shepherds from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)’s Ghizer district who saved around 300 lives by warning villagers of a glacial outburst flood (GLOF).

The shepherds, Wasiyat Khan, Ansar and Mohammad Khan, were grazing goats in the mountains when they noticed signs of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). They quickly called their village, which led to the evacuation of residents from three settlements and prevented a disaster.

Officials confirmed that the early warning systems worth millions of dollars, installed under the GLOF-II project in Gilgit-Baltistan’s vulnerable valleys, failed to issue any alert. The quick action of the shepherds became the only reason hundreds of lives were saved.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised their courage, calling them “heroes of 240 million Pakistanis.” He announced a reward of Rs2.5 million each and presented them with commendation certificates. The PM also said he would visit Gilgit-Baltistan soon and turn the affected area into a model village.

Earlier, Gilgit Police had recognized Wasiyat Khan by awarding him Rs10,000 and a certificate of appreciation for his timely warning.

“You have proved the spirit of service by saving lives,” Shehbaz Sharif said. “People like you are messiahs for the entire nation.”