Gilgit: The Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) has received approval from the Ministry of Communications to restart its Gilgit-Kashgar bus service after a 14-year suspension, as reported on October 7.
As per details, the service was halted in 2010 following a landslide that created Attabad Lake, submerging a key section of the Karakoram Highway (KKH). This cross-border route will be revived through a collaboration between NATCO and China’s Xinjiang-Kashgar Xin Lu Transportation Co. Ltd., aiming to strengthen trade and tourism ties between Pakistan and China. The bus service revival is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, reinforcing bilateral relations.
The Ministry of Communications issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on September 30, 2024, authorizing NATCO to formalize its agreement with its Chinese counterpart. NATCO spokesperson Ehsan Shah confirmed that the bus service is expected to relaunch soon, with final adjustments to the 2006 agreement underway and a formal signing ceremony planned.
This reactivation will reconnect the scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region with Kashgar, an important trade hub, enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
