Locals of Pakistan and China will soon have the option to travel to either of the countries on road, as a bus service between has started between Lahore (Pakistan) and Tashkurgan (Kashgar - China).
Passengers availing the service will have to shell out PKR 23,000 per ticket for a round trip, while a one-way ticket from Lahore to Tashkurgen will cost PKR 13,000 per person. Similarly, a one-way ticket from Tashkurgen to Lahore will cost RMB 600 per seat.
In a journey spanning two days, the passengers will have multiple stops, including one at Islamabad or Rawalpindi to pick passengers, and scheduled stops at Mansehra for breakfast, Besham for lunch, Chelas for tea and Gilgit for dinner on a trip from Lahore to Tashkurgan on the first day.
On the second day of the journey, a breakfast halt will be made at Sost before heading towards the Sost border for immigration, customs, and lunch. The bus will cross over to China through the Khunjerab Pass at the Pakistan-China border, where checking will take place twice- once on the Pakistani side and once on the Chinese side.
Similarly, the bus originating from Tashkurgen (China) will start at 11:00 am (local time) and will travel through Khunjerab pass before taking the Sost-Gilgit-Chilas-Besham-Mansehra-Islamabad or Rawalpindi-Lahore route.
Passengers have been asked to carry a valid passport, 'NIC', visa and a return ticket as travel documents for the commute.
The bus will ply from Lahore on Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, while the bus will be available for departure from Tashkurgan on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Special arrangements have been made for the security of the passengers and the service, while the driver will have all information to contact security guards at various check posts.