ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar has proposed launching direct flights between Skardu and Kashgar and sought an on-arrival visa facility for Chinese tourists visiting the region.
The proposal came during the CM’s meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.
The chief minister said direct flights between Skardu and Kashgar would promote tourism, strengthen people-to-people contacts and open new avenues for economic cooperation between GB and China’s Xinjiang region.
The CM invited Chinese companies to invest in GB, highlighting opportunities in mining, hydropower, renewable energy, tourism and infrastructure, and proposed introducing an on-arrival visa facility for Chinese tourists visiting Hunza, subject to approval by the federal government.
He told the dignitary that his government would provide all possible facilitation to investors and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the security and uninterrupted operation of the Karakoram Highway.
Ambassador Jiang congratulated Azar on assuming office and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
“There is tremendous potential to further enhance cooperation between G-B and Xinjiang, particularly in the fields of minerals, energy, tourism, trade and cross-border connectivity,” the ambassador said.
He also underlined the need for maintaining close coordination on border management and other issues of mutual interest, adding that the proposals presented by the GB government would be conveyed to the relevant Chinese authorities for consideration.
