By Karim Imamdad Hunzai ( Paris France )
The economical high growth rate of China is an advantage for the economical development of Pakistan and also a privileged for the Northern Areas of Pakistan by adhering the Border Trade Agreement.The newly licenced, 100 Mines Societies of the NAs will explore interesting destinations for the marketing in the future in China.

The geo-political situation with common borders of Pak/China,and their perennial friendship, provide a conducive situation for the significant economical development in the NAs of Pakistan.The KKH has been proved as a catalyst of the quantum leap in the economic development and also to make strength the relation and trade of the both countries.The KKH, linked over the Khunjerab pass 4700 meters altitude, is considered the 11th thrilling wonderous of the world, attract thousands of tourists every year, who travel on the old Silk Route on the trace of the foot steps of the 13th century great travellor Marco-Polo. The Silk Route is the full of the most beautiful tapestries of the culture diversity, and mysterious languages, tales, in the different valleys of the NAs of Pakistan.

The un-fledged and nascent tourism industry in the NAs need to be shore-up to bolster, which is the only source of generating income for the people of NAs.The un-heeded attention of the concerned authorities, and also caused by reeling political crisis and globale economical recession, which has been deeply affected and delibated the tourism business in the NAs of Pakistan.

The following necessary measurements are suggested, to the concerned authorities, to bail out the tourism industry in NAs to avoid it to further collapse in the existing political situation.

1. The all foreign tourists coming from China and Central Asia, should be given free entry visa on the arrival at Sost checking post.It has been already taken similar measurements by the Govt. of Pakistan, with the purpose of boosting Pakistan cotton export, that the visas are issued on the arrival at Pakistan International Airports to the foreign cotton business-men.

2. The local administration of the NAs may also be authorized to issue the
mountaineering and trekking permission for the tourists who comes from Central Asia and China, to avoid it the un-necessary trip to Islamabad for obtaining the permission.

3. It is also important to mention that all the peaks alongwith KKH should be
exempted the paying royalty to the foreign expeditions, but can be charged the environmental protection fees to the local authorities.The all tourists who are travelling on the KKH can decide on the spot to climb any peak with permission of the local authorities.The Chinese authorities have already waived the royalty of “Mustagata” an above 7000 meters peak, which is the prime attraction for the skiers from europe.

4. The leaders of NAs should bring to the notice of high officials in Islamabad, for
the necessary stimulus incentives and efforts should be made to bail out the fragile tourism industry of NAs avoiding it further damage to the local economy.
The attractive peaks for skiers alongwith KKH, such as Diran Peak 7256 meters in the Nager Valley, and Passu Peak 7300 meters in Gojal Hunza, should be exempted from royalty for skiers, which attract the world skiers and will also enhance tourism.

5. The world adventure tourism convention should be organized in the NAs of Pakistan every year with participation of Ministry of Tourism and Chinese Tourism and local tour operators, hotels and transport owner, with other indigenous cultural activities, such as polo, trout fishing, Kayyaking on the Gilgit river, for the adventure lovers from all over the world.

Karim Imamdad Hunzai,
Paris 30th March,2009