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).
The corridor has become a catalyst for inclusive growth, regional connectivity, and sustainable development in Pakistan’s northern areas, said Nazir Hussain, President PCJCCI during a think tank session held at PCJCCI Secretariat Monday.
President PCJCCI said that 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 CPEC are creating employment opportunities, reducing regional disparities, and integrating GB more closely with national and regional markets, including Central Asia and Western China.
Brig. Mansoor Saeed Sheikh Retd, Senior Vice President stressed that Gilgit-Baltistan holds immense strategic and economic value within the CPEC framework. PCJCCI strongly believes that the true success of CPEC lies in ensuring that its benefits reach local communities, remote valleys, and small businesses, enabling inclusive and sustainable development.
According to him, sustainable tourism development would not only generate income and employment for local communities but also promote Pakistan’s soft image globally.
Zafar Iqbal Vice President PCJCCI highlighted that Gilgit-Baltistan’s vast hydropower potential and natural resources offer significant opportunities for Pakistan China cooperation in renewable energy and green development. He added that tourism remains a high-potential sector for GB, given its scenic landscapes, cultural heritage, and strategic location.
Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI reaffirmed PCJCCI’s commitment to acting as a bridge between Pakistani and Chinese businesses, investors, and institutions, with a special focus on Gilgit-Baltistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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