Pakistan-China Khunjarab Border reopens

Following a four-month hiatus due to seasonal closure, the Pakistan-China Khunjarab border has been reopened, facilitating bilateral trade and tourism between the two neighboring nations reported 24NewsHDc TV channel.  

Situated at a staggering altitude of approximately 15,000 feet above sea level, the Khunjarab border serves as the sole land crossing point linking Pakistan with China.

Under the terms outlined in the protocol agreement of 1985, the border is traditionally closed to traffic from December 1st to March 31st annually, owing to heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions in the region.

However, with the onset of April, the border gates have once again swung open, signaling the resumption of economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The Khunjerab Pass, from which the border derives its name, holds cultural significance, as it is derived from two words in the local Wakhi language: "Khun," meaning blood, and "Jerab," denoting a creek originating from a spring or waterfall. This historic pass serves as a testament to the enduring friendship and shared heritage between Pakistan and China.

 The reopening of the Khunjarab border not only facilitates the movement of passenger vehicles between Gilgit-Baltistan's border town of Sust and the Chinese city of Tashkurgan but also marks the revival of goods transport, providing a significant boost to bilateral trade activities.

In November of the previous year, the management of Khunjarab Port in China's Xinjiang region issued a notice announcing the closure of the pass from December to March.

The notice cited the necessity for both countries to amend and ratify the agreement on border ports and management systems through diplomatic channels, thereby paving the way for the year-round operation of the Khunjarab Pass.

 The pass connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang region and was reopened after closing for almost three years in April 2023