Visa on arrival proposed for Chinese tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan is considering a special visa-on-arrival arrangement for Chinese tourists travelling to Gilgit-Baltistan through the Khunjerab Pass, with a pilot programme first covering Hunza and Nagar districts. The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting titled “Restoration of Visa Facility on Arrival at Sost for Chinese Tourists,” held at the Special Investment Facilitation Council Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office on September 15.

The session was chaired by the SIFC joint secretary for SW-B, according to meeting minutes reported by TechJuice. It brought together officials from the Gilgit-Baltistan home and tourism departments, the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, the ministries of inter-provincial coordination, interior and foreign affairs, the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators and Green Tourism Pakistan Limited.

The foreign affairs ministry raised no objection in principle provided the plan clears security screening. The interior ministry noted that visa-on-arrival facilities had been suspended for all countries following a security-driven policy change and said reinstating the option for Chinese nationals would require approval at the same senior level.

Representatives of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry said more Chinese tourists would increase foreign exchange earnings, create jobs and support local economies. Gilgit-Baltistan officials and stakeholders supported a trial, citing a tourism-dependent economy hit by declining visitor numbers and existing infrastructure in Hunza-Nagar. They said no major security threat had been identified along the proposed route, and the GB government was prepared to arrange security for tourists.

Raja Nazimul Amin, adviser to the president on international trade and tourism investment at the FPCCI, told Dawn that stakeholders had agreed in principle to a phased rollout. The first phase would cover Hunza and Nagar, with an extension to the rest of Gilgit-Baltistan in a second phase if the trial succeeds. Amin said the initiative could generate billions of dollars in economic activity and that recommendations would be sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval, which he expects to be granted.

The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination proposed streamlining the visa process through a single online portal for no-objection certificates. The GB Home Department, which currently issues NOCs through a multi-step police clearance process, agreed to explore a one-window system at Sost. The SIFC has asked the GB government to submit a detailed proposal, which will then go to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination before requiring concurrence from the interior and foreign ministries and final approval from higher authorities.