BEIJING: Khunjerab Pass, a significant land crossing near the China-Pakistan border, has been used by the first Pakistani tourists to enter China.
Five Pakistani visitors entered China a few days ago after passing border and immigration inspections, according to China Radio International (CRI).
The pass connects Gilgit-Baltistan with China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Khunjerab Pass officially resumed the entry and exit of visitors this week after a closure of three years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Chinese port authorities have completed all necessary measures regarding the Covid-19 pandemic before the arrival of goods and visitors from Pakistan.
Similarly, authorities on the Pakistani border side also took all necessary measures regarding Covid-19, ensuring the containment of the disease.
Khunjerab Pass generally opens from April 1 to November 30 every year and remains closed from December 1 to March 31 due to harsh weather caused by snowfall.
The two nations do their best to keep the borders open yearly to promote trade and inter-country relations.
All-out attempts are also being made to restart bus service between Pakistan and China over the Khunjerab Pass to give Pakistani students participating in the programme an affordable transportation mode while studying in China. — APP
