ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday hoped that reopening a key border pass with China after over three years would bolster trade between the two countries.
Located 5,000 meters above sea level, the Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved international crossing in the world. The key border pass, which connects China to Pakistan, was closed in 2019 to contain the spread of the coronavirus infection.
However, a senior government official told Arab News on Saturday that authorities in the two countries had decided to reopen the pass from Monday, April 3, which would allow Pakistani traders to cross the border into China.
China and Pakistan are historic allies that enjoy cooperation in several sectors, including defense, military and trade, in part due to their border disputes with India. Beijing has also invested heavily in a $65 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that seeks to connect China to Pakistani ports through a vast network of roads, railways and pipelines.
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Sharif expressed “happiness” over the reopening of the Khunjerab Pass, adding that it would remove another obstacle in speeding up work on the CPEC.
“I hope reopening the trade route would increase trade between the two countries,” Sharif said. “The reopening of the trade corridor after three years is a moment of great joy.”
The premier vowed to “double the pace” of work on CPEC, paying tribute to the Chinese people and leadership for showing immense love for Pakistan.
“The prime minister paid tribute to officials and team members in both countries for restoring [bilateral] trade and travel,” the PMO said.
The prolonged closure of Khunjerab Pass caused immense financial losses to the local business community and triggered layoffs. The key border point was occasionally opened during the last four years for emergency cargo transportation from China to Pakistan.
The development takes place at a time when Pakistan actively looks to bolster trade ties as the South Asian country desperately tries to stave off a balance of payments crisis with the prospects of default looming large.
The resumption of trade with China is expected to bring some respite to cash-strapped Pakistan.
