GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan has taken notice of the difficulties faced by traders in obtaining border passes to China.
The chief minister has directed the Provincial Secretary of Interior to simplify the border pass system for Gilgit-Baltistan traders and take steps to facilitate the speedy issuance of border passes according to the existing procedure.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan called on Minister for Privatization Abdul Aleem Khan and discussed matters relating to infrastructure development.Gilgit Baltistan Agriculture Minister Engineer Muhammad Anwar and education Minister Shahzad Agha were also present on this occasion, said a press release.
The meeting discussed construction of RC bridge, TattaPani and Karakoram Highway, opening of Babuser Tunnel and road construction, construction of Shotar, Jaglot and Skardu.Abdul Aleem Khan assured Haji Gulbar Khan his all possible cooperation for road infrastructure developmentin Gilgit Balistan.
It is pertinent to mention that As many as 15 trucks carrying goods from China entered Pakistan on Monday marking the resumption of trade activities between the two countries through Khunjerab Pass which remained close for four months.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AJ International Cargo China to Pakistan Khurram Zafar along with local politicians welcomed the trade convoys from China. A grand ceremony was held regarding the opening of the border at Khunjerab Pass.
Former member Gilgit Assembly Javed Hussain, former provincial minister Muhammad Baqir, former provincial finance minister Muhammad Ali Akhtar also participated in the ceremony. A large number of businessmen from across the country including Gilgit-Baltistan were present on this occasion.
On the first day 15 containers came to Pakistan from China with commercial goods which will be dispatched to Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi and other cities.
Last year in 2023 more than 400 containers came to Pakistan from Khunjerab Pass in six months, said Khurram Zafar, adding due to the arrival of containers in Pakistan the government earned a revenue of Rs5.45 billion in the form of customs.
Local people also get employment opportunities when trade resumed through Khunjerab Pass, said former member Gilgit Assembly Javed Hussain requesting the federal government to keep Khunjerab Pass open for commercial traffic throughout the year.
The Khunjerab Pass connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region and was closed on December 1 2023 due to harsh weather.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AJ International Cargo China to Pakistan Khurram Zafar along with local politicians welcomed the trade convoys from China. A grand ceremony was held regarding the opening of the border at Khunjerab Pass.
