Closed in 2019 for two and a half years, Khunjerab Pass, a major trade route, is going to reopen on April 1, 2022 for its commercial activities, according to the official statement. According to China Economic Net (CEN), the pass connecting the two countries usually remains open from May to November for trade and travel.
The pass was temporarily opened between July and September 2020 and again in November 2021 only to facilitate the transportation of the containers loaded with goods that had been stranded in China.
The border was closed in winter as per schedule on December 1 and the reopening was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2019. During the temporary opening of the border, stranded containers from China were unloaded at Khunjerab Top instead of the port at Sost.
According to the letter issued by China's Foreign Affairs of Kashgar administration, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China on March 24, 2022, the Hongqi Lafu port (Khunjerab dry port) will be opened next month.
Also, post lockdown preventions will be made and inspections will be done according to the circular.
Last time, only one side route was enabled. Mr. Mushtaq, an office bearer of the Gilgit Chamber of Commerce, said:
According to him, both sides of the routes must be opened for every kind of trade as the trade on this route has been halted for over two years, badly affecting the importers, exporters, and traders on this route.
The Ministry of Pakistan stated in its stance on the reopening of the border:
It is also mentioned in the circular that the border will remain open from April to November, as decided in the 2013 agreement. This is due to severe weather conditions at the top. For the rest of the year, however, the border remains open for two-way movement of passengers as well as transportation of goods and cargo.
Gilgit Baltistan is considered the gateway to CPEC, and locals say it is important to open regular trade through Khunjerab Pass to ensure the success of the One Belt, One Road project.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
The pass was temporarily opened between July and September 2020 and again in November 2021 only to facilitate the transportation of the containers loaded with goods that had been stranded in China.
The border was closed in winter as per schedule on December 1 and the reopening was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2019. During the temporary opening of the border, stranded containers from China were unloaded at Khunjerab Top instead of the port at Sost.
According to the letter issued by China's Foreign Affairs of Kashgar administration, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China on March 24, 2022, the Hongqi Lafu port (Khunjerab dry port) will be opened next month.
Also, post lockdown preventions will be made and inspections will be done according to the circular.
Last time, only one side route was enabled. Mr. Mushtaq, an office bearer of the Gilgit Chamber of Commerce, said:
"Since the circular has not mention whether the border will be opened for two sides or one side we are still not clear about the full opening of the border for bilateral trade."
According to him, both sides of the routes must be opened for every kind of trade as the trade on this route has been halted for over two years, badly affecting the importers, exporters, and traders on this route.
The Ministry of Pakistan stated in its stance on the reopening of the border:
"To support the lives and livelihood of the local population on both sides of the border, it is imperative that regular cross-border trade and P2P exchanges may be resumed. Therefore, the border may be opened from April 1,"
Gilgit Baltistan is considered the gateway to CPEC, and locals say it is important to open regular trade through Khunjerab Pass to ensure the success of the One Belt, One Road project.