Pakistan, China to launch CPEC bus service this week to boost ‘friendship’ – 5 points

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a USD 50 billion project that connects China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's Gwadar Port located strategically on the Arabian Sea.

Taking their ‘friendship’ forward, China and Pakistan are all set to launch a bus service from next month, reports said. The bus service is being started from November 03 as part of the flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is part of the broader Belt and Road Initiative, which India has refused to join over territorial concerns. The aim of the luxurious bus service is to facilitate easier travel between the two neighbours, reports said.
To recall, the CPEC project was started in 2015 and has a total cost of USD 50 billion. It covers a network of roads, railways and energy projects and connects China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's Gwadar Port located strategically on the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan-China CPEC bus service - five things to know:

1. The Pakistan-China bus service will be run by a private transport company, North-South Transport Network, and officially start services on November 03. It will connect Pakistan’s Lahore and China’s Kashgar. State-run Radio Pakistan said the bus journey would be 30-hour-long and a one-way ticket would cost Rs 13,000. A return journey has been priced at Rs 23,000 and bookings are already underway.
2. The aim of the bus service is to enhance friendly ties between Pakistan and China, Muhammad Anwar, CEO of the company that will run the service, said. A Pakistani would require a valid Chinese visa and other identity documents to undertake the journey.
3. Officials said the two countries are for the first time launching a high-end bus service. It is to be noted that China and Pakistan already have a land route link for trade and travel purposes.
4. The bus will ply four days a week and start from Lahore and Tashkurgan. From Lahore, the bus would ply on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. On the other hand, the departure from Tashkurgan would be on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Pakistani newspaper The News said.
5. As per The News report, premium and luxurious buses would be used to offer a comfortable journey. “The en-route services will include breakfast, lunch, dinner refreshment, beverages, tea, and snacks. Fast Wi-Fi service would also be provided," the report added.