New Tourists

March 26, 2026

Newspaper, Opinions, Editorials

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The proposal to facilitate Chinese tourists’ entry into Gilgit-Baltistan through the Khunjerab Pass is a pragmatic and timely response to an unfolding crisis. With the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupting travel patterns and triggering advisories against visiting parts of Pakistan, the country’s northern tourism economy faces a very real threat. For a region where nearly 90 per cent of livelihoods are tied to seasonal tourism, inaction is not an option.

The traditional dependence on Western tourists has exposed a structural vulnerability. As geopolitical tensions rise, these flows are often the first to collapse. The request by local stakeholders to pivot towards Chinese tourism reflects a necessary diversification of Pakistan’s tourism base. With Xinjiang alone attracting tens of millions of domestic tourists annually, even a small redirection of that flow into Gilgit-Baltistan could provide critical economic relief.

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The Khunjerab Pass offers a ready-made corridor for such engagement. It already functions as a trade and transit link under the broader framework of Pakistan-China connectivity. Extending this logic to tourism, through on-arrival visas or special permits, is a natural progression. Existing cross-border arrangements for traders and local populations demonstrate that controlled mobility is both feasible and manageable.

Beyond economics, the proposal carries diplomatic value. At a time when regional uncertainty is reshaping alliances and economic routes, facilitating Chinese tourism would deepen people-to-people ties and reinforce Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China in a tangible way. It signals adaptability, responsiveness, and an ability to align domestic policy with shifting global realities.

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However, execution will be key. Security protocols, local infrastructure, and administrative coordination must be strengthened to ensure that any influx is managed smoothly and sustainably. If implemented carefully, this initiative could not only stabilise Gilgit-Baltistan’s tourism sector in the short term but also lay the foundation for a more resilient and diversified model in the future.

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