Skardu-Kashgar direct flights proposed

ISLAMABAD:

G-B Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar on Friday proposed launching direct flights between Skardu and Kashgar and sought an on-arrival visa facility for Chinese tourists visiting G-B during a 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 G-B and China's Xinjiang region.

Azar invited Chinese companies to invest in G-B, 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 assured 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 Pakistan and China.

"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 stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination on border management and other issues of mutual interest, adding that the proposals presented by the G-B government would be conveyed to the relevant Chinese authorities for consideration.