ISLAMABAD (PEN) : In a landmark development for regional connectivity and economic cooperation, Pakistan and China have officially opened the Khunjerab Pass for trade and travel throughout the year. Previously operational only from April to November due to severe winter conditions, the high-altitude border crossing will now remain open year-round under a new bilateral agreement.
Milestone Move to Strengthen CPEC
The historic inauguration took place via a high-level virtual ceremony on Tuesday, attended by top officials from Gilgit-Baltistan and China’s Xinjiang region. The decision is being celebrated as a major advancement for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which designates the Khunjerab Pass as a key gateway.
“This is a historic milestone not only for Gilgit-Baltistan but also for the whole of Pakistan,” said Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan. “The decision to open the Khunjerab Border year-round will prove to be a new spirit for the economy of Gilgit-Baltistan.”
The Chief Minister added that uninterrupted cross-border activity would offer consistent business opportunities to traders and further deepen Pakistan-China economic ties.
Agreement Underpins Year-Round Access
Under Article 2(3) of the 2013 agreement on border ports and their management, Pakistan and China agreed in December 2024 to allow continuous operation of the Khunjerab Pass. Although trade had already commenced in a limited year-round capacity, Tuesday’s event marks the formalization of the new arrangement.
The Khunjerab Pass sits at an altitude of 15,500 feet, making it the highest paved international border crossing in the world. It links Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region with China’s Xinjiang province and has historically played a pivotal role in facilitating bilateral trade.
Virtual Ceremony Highlights Growing Regional Ties
The inauguration event featured participation from Xinjiang Governor and other senior Chinese officials alongside Gilgit-Baltistan’s cabinet members and customs authorities. A documentary on Xinjiang’s customs clearance system was presented, while customs representatives from both countries shared operational updates.
“The opening of the Khunjerab Pass year-round will directly benefit the people of both regions,” said the governor of Xinjiang. “Khunjerab Pass is a symbol of progress, prosperity, and cooperation.”
Both sides reiterated their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations under the broader framework of CPEC, highlighting mutual interests in economic development and regional peace.
Economic and Strategic Implications
Officials emphasized that the new arrangement would remove seasonal trade barriers, facilitate consistent economic exchanges, and create employment opportunities in border communities. Enhanced customs coordination and logistical planning are expected to streamline cross-border operations.
Describing the initiative as a “new dimension” in regional cooperation, authorities from both Pakistan and China expressed optimism about further deepening of ties in trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people connectivity.
