The new route, launched on May 28, connects
Guizhou in China, with Karachi in Pakistan. During his visit, Sharif plans to
meet top Chinese businessmen to attract more investments for the second phase
of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
The inaugural flight departed from Guiyang, the capital
of Guizhou, carrying a total of 6 tonnes of clothing, electronics, and various
other commodities. After nearly 6 hours, the plane landed
in Karachi and was set to return to Guiyang with a load of blue crabs from
Pakistan, as reported by Guiyang Customs.
The air route will operate thrice a week, transporting goods such as hardware accessories,
clothing fabrics, and electronic accessories. This is the first direct air link
between Guizhou and Pakistan and is anticipated to establish Guiyang as a key
cargo distribution center in southwest China while reducing transportation time
for Pakistan’s high-quality fresh products to reach Guizhou.
This development follows the launch of
another air cargo route in January, connecting Ezhou Huahu Airport in central
China’s Hubei province with Lahore, a city in eastern Pakistan. These strategic
routes are part of ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and trade under the
CPEC framework, further solidifying the economic partnership between China and
Pakistan.
The establishment of these air routes aims to position
Pakistan and China as pivotal players in regional trade, leveraging their
strategic locations to facilitate faster and more efficient transport of goods.
This aligns with the broader objectives of the
BRI to foster economic integration and development across participating
countries.