Pakistan, China agree to reopen border for trade, travel after three years
Last updated on: 01 April,2023 10:33 am
The Khunjerab Pass was closed in 2019 to prevent spread of coronavirus
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan and China have agreed to revive trade and travel activities through the Khunjerab Pass from April 3 (Monday) after a hiatus of three years.
The Khujerab Pass, which is also the main route for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) activities, is usually used for trade and travel from April 1 to November 30. There was also a daily bus service that run from Sost Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan to China’s Xinjiang province.
However, the border crossing was closed in 2019 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Since then, it was occasionally opened for transportation of emergency consignments from China to Pakistan on specific days.
Officials told media both sides had finalised arrangements to reopen the border, adding that the move will also restore the trade and other activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The closure of border had deprived several people from job, besides serving blows to the local business community that depends on the bilateral trade.