GILGIT: An NGOcompiled report has indicated thatover46percentof households in the 290 villages of Gilgit-Baltistan live in multiple hazard and risk areas, including over 8pc in the high-risk category.

Similarly, it said almost one-third of the schools, health facilities, prayer facilities and more than half of critical facilities such as bridges, telecom towers, and power stations in the region were at direct risk of disasters.

Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Pakistan, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, on Tuesday released the report `HazardMapping and Risk Assessments` at a function in Gilgit on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, government officials, academia, representatives of non-government and civil society organisations were in attendance.

Acknowledging the importance of disaster preparedness in the region, Chief Minister Hafizur Rehman said that GB was vital to the political and economic interests of Pakistan as it was strategically located, bordering with China, Afghanistan and Tajikis tan. Correspondent