Chinese visitors to Gilgit-Baltistan may get visa on arrival

Pakistan is considering offering Chinese tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan through the Khunjerab Pass a special visa-on-arrival arrangement. This proposal, discussed during a high-level meeting at the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Secretariat in Islamabad, aims to boost cross-border tourism and economic activity in the region.

The meeting, chaired by the joint secretary for Southwest-B in the SIFC, brought together officials from various government departments and organizations. While the foreign affairs ministry expressed no objection in principle, the interior ministry noted that visa-on-arrival access had been suspended for all countries due to security concerns.

They emphasized that any exception for Chinese nationals would need approval at the same level. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry argued that expanding Chinese tourism could generate foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and stimulate local economies. Officials from Gilgit-Baltistan proposed a pilot program initially covering Hunza and Nagar districts, stating that the region's existing tourism infrastructure and lack of significant security threats make it suitable for a trial run.

The GB government indicated willingness to provide security arrangements for tourists. If the trial phase proves successful, the arrangement could be extended to the entire Gilgit-Baltistan in a subsequent phase. The recommendations will be forwarded to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval, after which they will go through further approval processes at the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and the interior and foreign ministries.