Pakistan and China to Keep Khunjerab Pass Open All Year

In a major step to boost regional connectivity, the Khunjerab Pass was virtually inaugurated on Tuesday for year-round trade and travel between Pakistan and China.

Previously accessible only from April to November due to snowfall, the pass will now remain open throughout the year under a fresh agreement between the two countries.

The move marks a significant shift in Pakistan-China relations, especially within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.

A virtual ceremony was held to mark the occasion, attended by senior officials from China’s Xinjiang province and Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan hailed the development as a “historic milestone,” adding that uninterrupted trade will energise the region’s economy.

“This is not just progress for Gilgit-Baltistan, but for all of Pakistan,” he said. “It’s a step toward realising the full potential of CPEC.”

Chinese officials echoed the sentiment, calling the decision a symbol of growing cooperation. The governor of Xinjiang said the opening would directly benefit people on both sides of the border.

Located 15,500 feet above sea level, the Khunjerab Pass is the world’s highest paved international crossing. Officials described the move as a new chapter in cross-border trade and regional economic partnership.