• Proposal for entry to Hunza, Nagar discussed at SIFC
•One-window NOC portal to streamline clearance at Sost
• Final rollout pending clearance from higher authorities

GILGIT: Pakistan is considering special visa-on-arrival arrangements for Chinese tourists travelling to Gilgit-Baltistan through the Khunjerab Pass, with officials proposing a pilot programme initially covering Hunza and Nagar districts to promote cross-border tourism and economic activity.

The proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting titled “Restora­t­i­­on of Visa Facility on Arri­val at Sost for Chinese Tou­rists” held at the Special In­­­vestment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad on Sept 15.

The session, chaired by the joint secretary for SW-B at the SIFC, brought together officials from the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) home and tourism departments, the Pakistan Tourism De­­v­elopment Corporation, the ministries of inter-provincial coordination, interior and foreign affairs, Pakis­t­­an Association of Tour Ope­­rators (Pato) and Green Tourism Pakistan Limited.

According to the meeting minutes, the foreign affairs ministry expressed no objection in principle to the proposal, subject to security clearance.

The interior ministry, however, noted that visa-on-arrival access had been suspended for all countr­i­­es after security concerns prompted a policy change at the highest level, and said any exception for Chi­nese nationals would need approval at the same level.

Delegates from the Fed­e­­­ration of Pakistan Cham­bers of Commerce and Ind­ustry (FPCCI) argued that expanding Chinese tourism could boost foreign ex­­c­­hange earnings, create jobs and stimulate local economies, at a time when Pakistan is seeking greater foreign investment.

Officials and stakeholders from GB proposed that a special or trial arrangement for Chinese tourists could be considered.

They said tourism underpinned livelihoods across the region and that a downturn in visitor numbers, driven by wider global instability, had hit local businesses hard.

Officials pointed to Hunza-Nagar’s existing tourism infrastructure and said no significant security threat had been identified along the proposed route. The GB government expressed willingness to provide security arrangements for tourists.

Raja Nazimul Amin, adviser to the president on international trade and tourism investment at FPCCI, who attended the meeting, told Dawn that all relevant stakeholders had agreed to special arrangements for on-arrival visas for Chinese tourists travelling through the Khunj­erab Pass in phases.

“Initially, it has been proposed that the visa on arrival will be given to Chinese tourists up to Hunza and Nagar districts under phase one,” Amin said. “If the trial basis remains successful, then it would be extended to the whole of Gilgit-Baltistan in phase two.”

Mr Amin said the plan could generate billions of dollars in economic activity. He said the recommendations would be forwar­d­­ed to Prime Minister She­hbaz Sharif for appro­val, which he expected to be granted.

Meanwhile, the Minis­try of Inter-Provincial Coordi­nation (MOIPC) called for the visa process to be stre­amlined, proposing a single online portal for no-objection certificates (NOCs).

The GB Home Depart­m­ent, which currently issues NOCs through a multi-step police clearance process, agreed to explore a more efficient one-window system at Sost.

The SIFC has asked the GB government to submit a detailed proposal. The plan will then go to MOIPC, before being referred to the interior and foreign ministries for concurrence and passed to higher authorities for a final decision.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026