Khunjerab Pass to be reopened on April 1

Border crossing with China was closed in May 2020 due to pandemic

BEIJING:

Nearly two years after being officially closed to contain the coronavirus pandemic, Khunjerab Pass, a major trade route between Pakistan and China, will reopen for commercial activities on April 1.

According to China Economic Net (CEN), the pass connecting the two countries usually remains open from May to November for trade and travel.

Confirming the development, a Pakistan official revealed that the Chinese authorities shared a letter with Pakistan regarding the reopening of the border pass in accordance with the agreement signed between the two countries in May 2013.

The official added that the Chinese authorities had mentioned in their letter that measures would be in place to prevent the virus from spreading via Khunjerab Pass.

Port authorities on the Chinese side of world’s highest-paved international crossing have been instructed to take all precautionary measures pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic before the arrival of goods from Pakistan.

Similarly, Pakistani border authorities have also been instructed to take all measures for the containment of the highly-contagious virus.

It is worth noting here that Khunjerab Pass temporarily opened between July 29, 2020 and August 10, 2020 to facilitate the transportation of containers loaded with goods.