Strategic Khunjerab Pass opens for customs clearance, boosting trade between China and Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A number of containers of goods needed for Pakistan are on their way to reach Khunjerab Pass, Gwadar Pro reported on Monday.

Khunjerab Pass on the China-Pakistan border is a strategic point on the Karakoram Highway, which links China’s northwest Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region with Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The Chinese side has agreed to Pakistan’s request for the temporary opening of the Khunjerab Pass and the facilitation of customs clearance for supplies from Jan 30 to Feb 10, 2023.

The Customs works round the clock to facilitate customs clearance.

On January 30, 11 loaded containers carrying goods urgently needed by the Pakistani side such as auto parts, polyester cloth, garments, utensils, roll paper, and tape arrived at Sost Dry Port.

It is pertinent to mention that Khunjerab Pass is temporarily open from Jan 19 to 20 for the first time this year to transport goods from China to Pakistan.

During this period, a total of 40 vehicles transported $15.9916 million worth of goods including machinery, cloth, walnuts, hard disks, etc.