GILGIT: As the Middle East war disrupts air travel and tourism across the region, tour operators in Gilgit-Baltistan have requested the federal government to allow Chinese tourists to enter Pakistan via Khunjerab Pass on on-arrival visas or special permits to offset the impact of a decline in tourists from the West.
In a letter to the inter-provincial coordination secretary, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators, the Gilgit-Baltistan Association of Tour Operators, GB’s Chambers of Commerce and Industries, and the Hunza Hotels Association expressed concerns on the adverse impact of the Middle East war on the tourism industry of GB if the situation did not improve.
If the violence continued, the region, which depends on tourism during the summer months, would face a “serious crisis” as the foreign tourists, mostly from European countries, would not arrive in Pakistan owing to violence in the region, the letter said, adding that 90 per cent of the GB population depended on tourism. It said to offset the impact of the war, the government should formulate an alternate plan to allow Chinese tourists to visit GB up to Hunza and Nagar.
For this purpose, special permits or on-arrival visas could be introduced, it said, adding that if the proposal proved successful, then the plan could be extended to tourist spots in GB.
Govt urged to allow Chinese tourists to enter via Khunjerab
The letter claimed that China offered a remarkable example for tourism growth, as more than 30 million Chinese from other parts of China visit Xinjiang province, which borders Gilgit-Baltistan, every year.
This brings approximately $49.4 billion in tourism revenue to Xinjiang, and Pakistan could capitalise on this tourist influx by offering them incentives to cross into Pakistan and visit the scenic spots in GB. A special visa facilitation for Chinese tourists visiting Gilgit-Baltistan through Khunjerab Pass can bring benefits, it added.
Nazimullah Baig, managing director at Discovery Pakistan, told Dawn that the Middle East war created fear in GB about a potential decline in tourism this season. He said many countries, including the UK, issued an advisory to their citizens not to visit Gilgit-Baltistan. It may be noted that the UK issued the advisory after violent protests in GB over the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli airstrike.
Mr Baig said Khunjerab Pass, which connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang, was an alternative option to revive tourism in GB. He said the Khunjerab Pass was opened for tourists, but visa requirements for Chinese citizens to enter Pakistan proved a hurdle.
He said Xinjiang’s citizens and GB people already enjoy facilities, such as special passes to visit certain areas, to facilitate trade.
A similar facility for Chinese tourists to enter GB via Khunjerab up to Hunza and Nagar for a specific time under special arrangements could breathe life into the tourism sector of the mountainous region, as well as boost ties with China.
Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2026
