China Has Temporarily Shut Down the Khunjerab Pass for a Period of Four Months
The Chinese authorities have declared the winter closure of Khunjerab Pass for a duration of four months, a decision made nearly a month after previously agreeing to maintain year-round accessibility for the high-altitude route.
As per an announcement from the Khunjerab Port management in China's Xinjiang region on Saturday, the Khunjerab Pass will be closed from December to March. This decision appears to contradict the October 20 joint press statement, following a meeting between caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which stated that the pass would remain operational year-round.
The notice further explains that, according to the "Port Entry and Exit Management Measures," both countries must diplomatically revise and sign the agreement on border ports and management systems to ensure year-round access to Khunjerab Pass. China's State Port Management Office will also seek approval for the continuous opening of Khunjerab Port from relevant authorities.
Until an official notice is issued, Khunjerab Port will adhere to the seasonal customs clearance mode, closing from December to March. The pass, connecting Gilgit-Baltistan with China's Xinjiang region, is the highest paved international border at 15,500 feet above sea level. Governed by a 1985 border protocol agreement, it traditionally stays open for travel and trade between April and November, with winter closures due to heavy snowfall. Recent snowfall has already covered the road with up to six inches of snow, causing disruptions for travelers. Complaints have been raised about the lack of authorities present to clear the road on the Pakistan side, leaving vehicles stranded for hours after the snowfall, according to Imtiaz Hussain, a traveler who crossed from China to Pakistan through Khunjerab Pass on Friday.
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