ISLAMABAD – Imagine traveling from the towering peaks of Skardu to China’s historic city of Kashgar in a few hours. That vision may soon become reality, as Pakistan and China explore a direct air link that could unlock tourism, expand trade, and open a new chapter in the decades-long friendship between ‘Iron Friends’.
The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting between Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, with both sides describing enhanced connectivity as a key step toward expanding bilateral cooperation.
The direct air route dramatically cut travel time between two regions from days of road travel across mountainous terrain to just a few hours, making cross-border movement faster and more convenient than ever before.
The proposed flights are expected to boost tourist arrivals from China, giving travelers easier access to GB top attractions, including Skardu, Hunza and the Karakoram region. At the same time, Pakistani tourists and businesses would gain quicker access to Kashgar, one of western China’s key commercial hubs.
The air corridor could become major economic catalyst for Gilgit-Baltistan by driving tourism, creating employment opportunities, attracting fresh investment and stimulating local businesses linked to the hospitality and transport sectors.
The initiative is also expected to strengthen cross-border commerce by facilitating smoother movement of business delegations and investors, while reinforcing economic cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The proposed flights would not only improve transportation but also deepen people-to-people ties, promote cultural exchanges and strengthen the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and China. GB government urged introduction of a visa-on-arrival facility for Chinese tourists visiting destinations such as Hunza, subject to approval by Pakistan’s federal government.
The provincial government also invited Chinese companies to expand investments in tourism infrastructure, mining, hydropower, renewable energy and other strategic development sectors across Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pak-China B2B conference to help growth of homeopathic and herbal industry
