Islamabad: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan announced a new tunnel project that will connect Naran to Gilgit-Baltistan through the Babusar Top, aiming to improve transportation and strengthen ties with China. The announcement was made during a visit to Beijing where the minister attended an international conference and held meetings with Chinese officials.

According to Zameen.Com, the discussions involved Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, and senior officials, where Khan met with China’s Minister of Transport, Li Xiaopeng. The talks were part of an ongoing effort to bolster bilateral relations by collaborating on four significant infrastructure projects. The proposed Kaghan-Naran to Babusar Top tunnel serves as the central piece of this cooperation, designed to facilitate easier and more efficient travel across the challenging mountainous terrains.

Other critical projects discussed include the ML-1 railway project and the M-6 and M-9 motorways, which are vital for enhancing Pakistan’s transportation network. These initiatives are part of broader plans to complete the “missing link” in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key venture expected to significantly boost connectivity between the two countries.

Khan also emphasized the importance of the upcoming second phase of the Karakoram Highway, which is anticipated to be another significant area for future collaboration between Pakistan and China. This growing partnership is expected to speed up the development of essential infrastructure, thereby enhancing economic ties and improving regional connectivity.