GILGIT: A nine-member team of Silk Road expedition arrived here on Saturday, where they were received by deputy commissioner Sibtan Ahmed and GB tourism secretary Rashid Ahmed.

Their 30-day journey is aimed at rediscovering the historic route connecting China with Pakistan by exploring its cultural, economic and historical evolution.

The road journey undertaken by a few Pakistanis is to cover a distance of 10,600 kilometres from Suzhou, Shanghai to Gwadar.

A reception was arranged for the members of the expedition team in Gilgit. Speaking on the occasion, Sibtan Ahmed appreciated them for undertaking exploration of the historical road.

The team comprising adventurers, writers, photographers, a movie maker and historians includes Khwaja Ali, Sabiha Omar, Dr Imran Chaudhry, Dr Nasim Chaudhry, Babar Ali, Mahera Omar, Yasmin Ali, Dr Sayed Amjad Hussain and Lubna Khan.

Team leader Khwaja Ali said their aim was to explore the transformation of the historic road.

He said the expedition members witnessed the silkworms rearing and production in areas near Shanghai and joined the origin of the Silk Road at Xian.

He said the team planned to write about their adventures about this historic trade route which has seen massive exchange of goods, ideas, cultures and religions across continents over the centuries.

Mehera Omar, who is a film and documentary maker, and belongs to Karachi, said old Silk Road’s historical importance needed to be explored.

“This road, which connects South Asia with Central Asia, is now a CPEC route, and as such has the potential to enhance trade and tourism in the region,” she said.