ISLAMABAD: In a major development, Pakistan is going to consider anothermajor route connecting China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC). The new route would be around 350km shorter than the existingroutes via Khunjerab pass.
According to documents available with this scribe, the Gilgit-Baltistan’sWorks Department, through a letter on January 8, was asked to prepare the‘concept clearance proposal’ for the new route of CPEC, which would passthrough Shigar, Skardu and Astor districts of GB and connect toMuzaffarabad district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The concerned departments in these districts have also been asked to submitthe concept clearance proposals for the “Construction of 33 feet widetruckable road from Yarkand (China border) to Gorikot in Astor viaShagarthang, Skardu” at the earliest.
Talking to Profit, GB Minister Maisam Kazim, who held a meeting withFederal Communications and Postal Services Minister Murad Saeed on Friday,informed that the communication minister was also optimistic on theapproval of the new route, which would be a historic step by thisgovernment.
“After the approval of concept clearance proposals by relevant CPEC forums,the government would initiate work on the mega project by the end of thisyear,” he quoted the federal minister as saying.
According to the minister, the route from Yarkant to Skardu via Shigar wasan ancient trade route between China and Baltistan region. Restoration ofthe already existing route would revolutionise economic activities in thearea, he opined.
It may be noted that a Chinese delegation had earlier visited Shigar andSkardu districts of GB where the locals and political representatives hadinformed them about the historic trade route between Baltistan region andChina’s Yarkand.
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According to officials, this new route would be around 350km shorter thanthe existing land route between Pakistan and China.
The route, after crossing the border at Yarkand, an oasis city insouthwestern Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, far western China, wouldconnect Shigar, Skardu and Astor districts of GB before finally touchingMuzaffarabad in AJK, they added.
This route, according officials, is comparatively straighter, safer andmore weather resistant.
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