Gilgit: The World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan and the Forest, Wildlife, Parks and Environment Department Gilgit-Baltistan have signed a Letter of Agreement to strengthen their ongoing collaboration in environmental conservation and sustainable development across Gilgit-Baltistan.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Gilgit by Syed Abul Waheed Shah, Secretary of the department, and Rab Nawaz, Senior Program Director of WWF-Pakistan, on behalf of the Director General WWF-Pakistan.

Senior officials from both sides attended the ceremony, including Sheikh Inayatullah, Dr Zakir Hussain, Mehmood Ghaznavi, Ali Jabbar and Khadim Hussain, along with representatives of WWF-Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Abul Waheed Shah stressed the importance of joint efforts to tackle emerging environmental challenges in Gilgit-Baltistan, describing the region as ecologically sensitive and globally significant. He appreciated WWF-Pakistan’s continued support and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships.

Rab Nawaz highlighted WWF-Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with the Gilgit-Baltistan government to promote nature-based solutions, climate resilience and sustainable resource management in the region.

To ensure effective coordination, Haider Raza and Dr Zakir Hussain have been nominated as focal persons for future collaboration.

According to Nisar Ahmed, both sides also expressed their intent to further expand cooperation through a formal Memorandum of Understanding for long-term partnership.