Pakistani singer Quratulain Balouch was injured after being attacked by a Himalayan brown bear while camping in Deosai National Park, Gilgit-Baltistan, officials confirmed on Friday. Quratulain Balouch is known as QB in the showbiz circles in the country and abroad.
Balouch, who is currently touring Skardu to experience the region’s majestic landscapes, was immediately shifted to the Regional Hospital in Skardu. Doctors reported that both of her arms sustained injuries in the incident, but she is out of danger and under medical care.
The Pakistani-American singer-songwriter rose to fame with her soulful voice and earned the title “Humsafar Girl” after her track Woh Humsafar Tha in the hit TV drama Humsafar became a nationwide sensation. Her other notable works include the Coke Studio performances Sammi Meri Waar, Laung Gawacha, and Thagyan, along with Kaari Kaari for the Bollywood film Pink.
The attack has once again raised concerns over the growing interaction between humans and wildlife in Deosai, one of Pakistan’s most breathtaking yet fragile ecosystems. Known as the “Land of Giants,” the Deosai plateau stretches across 3,000 square kilometres in the western Himalayas, with altitudes ranging from 3,500 to 5,200 metres. The park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to golden marmots, red foxes, and the endangered Himalayan brown bear.
Authorities have long emphasized the importance of conservation in Deosai, where hunting is strictly banned to protect its rare species. However, increased tourism is pushing visitors deeper into bear habitats, raising the risk of human-wildlife encounters. According to a 2023 report, the population of Himalayan brown bears in the park has stagnated at around 75. Conservationists warn that habitat shrinkage, human activity, and inbreeding could further threaten the species’ survival.
For now, fans of Quratulain Balouch are relieved that she is recovering and hope the incident draws attention to the delicate balance between preserving Deosai’s wildlife and promoting safe tourism.
