Gilgit: After a hiatus of 14 years, the Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) has announced the resumption of the Gilgit-Kashgar bus service, initially suspended due to a landslide-induced creation of Attabad Lake which submerged part of the Karakoram Highway.

According to Zameen.Com, the Ministry of Communications granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on September 30, 2024, paving the way for NATCO to renew its partnership with China’s Xinjiang-Kashgar Xin Lu Transportation Co. Ltd. This revival is part of the broader China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, aimed at bolstering trade and tourism ties between Pakistan and China.

NATCO spokesperson Ehsan Shah confirmed plans for the service to begin shortly, with final adjustments to the 2006 agreement nearly complete and a formal signing ceremony on the horizon. The reestablished route promises to enhance connectivity and economic opportunities between the scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region and Kashgar, a significant trade center in China.