Khunjerab Pass between Pakistan and China re-opened for transportation of machinery and goods from China

Gilgit: Pakistan-China border crossing at Khunjerab Pass, Hunza has been re-opened for transportation of machinery and goods from China to Pakistan, the Gilgit-Baltistan government announced here.

According to the official announcement, the “border will remain open till 10th of next month.” On Monday, eleven loaded containers left Tajkurgan, China to arrive at Sost, Hunza.

Located at 4,600 meters above sea level, the China-Pakistan border crossing, which goes over the Khunjerab pass and the Karakoram Highway, is the highest and, consequently, one of the most beautiful borders in the world.

The Khunjerab Pass is the highest-paved international border crossing in the world and the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. The roadway across the pass was completed in 1982, and has superseded the unpaved Mintaka and Kilik Passes as the primary passage across the Karakoram Range.

The choice of Khunjerab Pass for Karakoram Highway was decided in 1966: China citing the fact that Mintaka would be more susceptible to air strikes recommended the steeper Khunjerab Pass instead.

On the Pakistani-administered side, the pass is 42 km from the National Park station and checkpoint in Dih, 75 km from the customs and immigration post in Sost, 270 km from Gilgit, and 870 km from Islamabad.

On the Chinese side, the pass is the southwest terminus of China National Highway 314 (G314) and is 130 km from Tashkurgan, 420 km from Kashgar and some 1,890 km from Urumqi. The Chinese port of entry is located 3.5 km along the road from the pass in Tashkurgan County.

The long, relatively flat pass is often snow-covered during the winter season and as a consequence is generally closed for heavy vehicles from November 30 to May 1 and for all vehicles from December 30 to April 1.