GILGIT, June 15: Federal Communications Minister Shamim Haider Siddiqui on Thursday inaugurated a bus service between Gilgit and Kashgher, China. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the minister said the bus service would help increase trade between the two countries and boost tourism.

He said the bus would travel the 700km distance between the two cities in 14 hours and stop at two points in Sost and Tashqurghan, China.

The minister hoped that the service would provide job and trade opportunities for the people of the two countries.

He said a 600kms portion of the Karakoram Highway was in a dilapidated condition, adding that he would urge the president to allocate funds for maintenance of the highway.

Mr Siddiqui said Rs350m had already been allocated to widen the KKH and make it two-lane from Khunjerab to Thakote.