LAHORE: The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has underscored the growing strategic and economic importance of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying the initiative has emerged as a catalyst for inclusive growth, regional connectivity and sustainable development in Pakistan’s northern areas.
The remarks were made by PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain during a think-tank session held at the chamber’s secretariat on Monday. Hussain said CPEC has positioned Gilgit-Baltistan as Pakistan’s northern gateway, opening new avenues for trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people connectivity. He noted that improved infrastructure, road networks and logistics under the corridor are creating employment opportunities, reducing regional disparities and integrating GB more closely with national and regional markets, including Central Asia and western China.
Senior Vice-President Mansoor Saeed Sheikh said Gilgit-Baltistan holds immense strategic and economic value within the CPEC framework. He added that the true success of CPEC depends on ensuring that its benefits reach local communities, remote valleys and small businesses, enabling inclusive and sustainable development.
Sheikh said enhanced connectivity under CPEC would significantly boost cross-border trade, tourism flows and cultural exchange between Pakistan and China. He suggested that innovative measures, including improved regional air connectivity and affordable aviation services, could play a key role in linking remote areas with major cities and international tourism circuits. Sustainable tourism development, he added, would not only generate income and employment for local communities but also help project a positive image of Pakistan globally.
Vice-President Zafar Iqbal highlighted that Gilgit-Baltistan’s vast hydropower potential and natural resources present significant opportunities for Pakistan-China cooperation in renewable energy and green development. He said joint ventures in hydropower, solar and other clean energy projects could help meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs while promoting environmentally responsible growth in the region. He added that tourism remains a high-potential sector for GB, given its scenic landscapes, cultural heritage and strategic location.
