Daily Times

Federal Secretary for Communications Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui has said that Pakistan and China are hand in hand to further expand range of cooperation in trade, industry and tourism sectors that will ultimately prepare the ground for economic uplift of the whole region. He was speaking on the conclusion of two-day experts group meeting on International Road Transport at Ministry of Communications.

Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Communications Mr. Altaf Asghar and leader of Chinese delegation Mr. Lin Ping Deputy Party Secretary of Transportation Department, Xinjiang signed the minutes.

In order to promote bilateral trade relationship between Pakistan and China in context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), meeting of Pakistan-China Working level Experts Group on International Road Transport continued two days at Ministry of Communications. Matters relating to expanding trade ties and facilitating transportation of passengers and goods between the two countries were discussed in detail.

The Pakistan side was led by Senior Joint Secretary Ministry of Communications Mr. Altaf Asghar, while senior officers from Ministries of Communications, Foreign Affairs, Interior and Commerce, National Highway Authority, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, National Logistic Cell and Northern Areas Transport Cooperation participated. Likewise Mr. Lin Ping, Deputy Party Secretary of Transportation Department of Xinjiang led the 8-member Chinese delegation, while high ups from International Road Transport office Xinjiang and other officers of relevant Chinese departments participated in the meeting.

On the first day, working level experts group of both sides discussed in details matters relating to exchange of information about China-Pakistan international transport volume during 2018, present condition of Karakoram Highway, restoration of Kashgar-Gilgit Bus Service and start of Bus service from Lahore and Islamabad to Kashgar, routine mechanism for holding of bilateral talks on regular basis and grant of multiple entries visas to the drivers/crew members. The meeting also reviewed problems being faced by Transport companies and facilitation measures by both the sides. Proposal for opening of Pak-China border seven days a week was also considered.