Governor Gilgit Baltistan Mir Ghazanfar Ali Friday said the Pakistan China Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would expand the scope of cooperation between the two countries in various new areas, including cooperation in social sectors along with economic fields.

He expressed these views during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, who called on him.

He said the CPEC would turn the China-Pakistan bilateral relations into long term strategic economic partnership, further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Chinese ambassador said development schemes under the CPEC project would also usher in socio-economic prosperity of the Gilgit-Baltistan region.

He said the Chinese government would undertake various mega projects for uplift of agriculture, energy and tourism sectors in Gilgit Baltistan and result in socio-economic development of the region, adding his government would also make initiatives for development of its social sector.

He said in collaboration with Gilgit Baltistan Council small projects featuring facilities like clean drinking water, education and health would be launched at all GB’s districts to uplift living standards of people and provide them job opportunities.

He also said cultural cooperation would be further intensified between the two countries by enhancing people-to-people contact and culture exchange programmes between Kashghar and Gilgit Baltistan.

The GB governor also sought assistance of the Chinese government for completion of Attabad Power project to enhance power generation and overcome load shedding in the area.

He underlined the need for making more measures to provide equal opportunities to the traders of Gilgit Baltistan and provide them concessions in immigration, enabling them to export vegetables, fruit and other goods to markets in China, conveniently.

The Chinese ambassador assured his cooperation in this regard, adding he was looking forward to the development of the area.

The GB government said best facilities would be provided to the tourists from China, adding the region was a safe and beautiful destination to enjoy its natural beauty.

He also extended invitation to the Chinese ambassador to visit Gilgit Baltistan and the later accepted it.