ISLAMABAD:
GB Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar on Friday proposed launching direct flights between Skardu and Kashgar and sought visa-on-arrival service for Chinese tourists visiting GB during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.
The prime minister said direct flights between Skardu and Kashgar would promote tourism, strengthen people-to-people contacts and open new avenues for economic cooperation between Britain and China’s Xinjiang region.
Azar invited Chinese companies to invest in Britain, highlighting opportunities in mining, hydropower, renewable energy, tourism and infrastructure, and proposed introducing a visa-on-arrival service for Chinese tourists visiting Hunza, subject to federal government approval. He assured that his government will provide all possible facilities to investors and reiterated his commitment to ensure the safety and uninterrupted operation of the Karakoram Highway.
Ambassador Jiang congratulated Azar on taking office and reaffirmed the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and China.
“There is tremendous potential to further enhance cooperation between Britain and Xinjiang, particularly in the fields of minerals, energy, tourism, trade and cross-border connectivity,” the ambassador said. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining close coordination on border management and other issues of mutual interest, adding that proposals put forward by the UK government will be passed on to the relevant Chinese authorities for consideration.
