ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s successful diplomacy has paid off as the Khunjerab Pass between Pakistan and China is now open for trade throughout the year.
China has also lifted restrictions on various products that Pakistan imports from it. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has passed a resolution supporting the effort of FM Bilawal to resume trade on the Khunjerab border.
Trade and travel activities between the two friendly countries through the pass resumed on April 3 after remaining closed for three consecutive years. Both countries agreed to reopen the border crossing point for bilateral trade and other activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Khunjerab pass connects Pakistan’s Gilgit Baltistan region with China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and has resumed trade and travel activities from April 1, 2023. There was a daily bus service in operation from Gilgit-Baltistan’s Sost Valley to Xinjiang province of China, facilitating the movement of travelers and commercial goods along the dry border.
Khunjerab Pass closure causes hardships for local businesses
The prolonged closure of the Khunjerab Pass had caused serious financial hardships to the local businesses, while thousands of workers lost their jobs respectively. During the last three years, the pass had been opened occasionally for emergency transportation of cargo from China to Pakistan on specific days. The border crossing usually remains open from April 1 to November 30 every year and remains shut from December 1 to March 31 due to harsh and cold winter weather conditions and lack of oxygen at high altitudes. However, the Chinese government has now agreed to Pakistan’s demand to keep it open around the year.
Bilawal Bhutto congratulated the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the commencement of the trade process at the Khunjerab border pass for the whole year and on the lifting of other import restrictions. The decision to keep the pass open throughout the year will benefit both countries and strengthen their economic ties.
