All-weather friends Pakistan, and China are set to open a key border crossing Khunjerab Pass for trade activities from Monday (April 3) after hiatus of three years.
While Beijing and Islamabad have finalised all preparations to reopen the famous border crossing for bilateral commerce and other CPEC-related operations, these activities have been temporarily halted for both sides and will start up again the following week.
After safety precautions during the pandemic, the 4,693-meter-high mountain pass was earlier blocked to stop Covid transmission between the two countries, and only emergency aid was sent.
The years-long closure of the key crossing caused a huge financial blow to the local community as a large number of workers become jobless. As the world is moving after the Covid pandemic; Pakistani and Chinese officials decided to boost cross-border trade and business.
The attractive border crossing connects neighbouring countries and is the sole land port. Each year, between April 1 and November 30, both sides of the border opened for business. Via the Karakoram Highway, the first-ever commerce activity under the CPEC began in late 2016.
