Year-round Khunjerab Pass opening boosts cross-border tourism

GILGIT: Following the opening of the Khunjerab Pass for year-round traffic earlier this month, a 21-member Chinese winter tourism delegation visited Hunza to explore the region’s cultural and economic opportunities.

Located at an elevation of nearly 5,000 meters above sea level, the Khunjerab Pass serves as a critical trade station connecting China and Pakistan, facilitating access to South Asia and Europe. Previously, the border was operational only from April to November due to extreme weather conditions, shutting down during the winter months.  However, the pass was officially transitioned from a seasonal operation to a year-round service on December 1.

This visit comes shortly after a 15-member delegation from Gilgit-Baltistan traveled to Tashkurgan, China, earlier this week. The Pakistani delegation held discussions with government officials and tourism companies in Tashkurgan, showcasing Gilgit-Baltistan’s immense potential for winter tourism and highlighting local government and private sector initiatives aimed at transforming the region into a year-round tourist destination.

Building on the momentum of this exchange, the Chinese delegation arrived in Hunza to further strengthen cooperation.

During their visit, the delegation from Tashkurgan held a meeting with the Hunza District Administration to discuss areas of collaboration. Key topics included improvements in security, road infrastructure, and other facilities to enhance cross-border tourism and trade. Both sides agreed to allocate 25 stalls at the Expo Centre to the Hunza Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, enabling local traders to promote their products.

Ma Xiaoli, a member of the Chinese delegation and representative of Xinjiang Iron Brother International Trade Co., Ltd., announced plans to establish a special economic zone in Gilgit-Baltistan. She underscored the region’s vast potential for winter tourism and stressed the importance of fostering bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Highlighting the shared cultural and economic interests of the two nations, Ma Xiaoli envisioned Gilgit-Baltistan as a hub for tourism and trade that would strengthen ties between the neighboring countries.

The delegation also explored the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage by visiting the iconic Baltit and Altit Forts. They admired the centuries-old architectural wonders and explored the valley’s unique traditions and history.

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Advisor to Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) President, Raja Nazim-ul-Ameen, hailed the border reopening at Khunjerab Pass as a significant milestone, stating, “The reopening of the Pakistan-China border has marked the start of winter tourism in the region. A delegation from Gilgit-Baltistan recently visited China, and now a group of Chinese tourists is here, which will significantly boost winter tourism.”

Raja Nazim-ul-Ameen also revealed plans to bolster tourism ties, including proposals for direct flights between Kashgar and Skardu, as well as Kashgar and Islamabad. These initiatives aim to facilitate Chinese tourists’ travel to Pakistan with on-arrival visas. Additionally, Hunza and Tashkurgan recently earned the “Best Sister City” title, a promising development for Pakistan’s tourism sector.

Beyond tourism, the advisor emphasized broader collaboration in agriculture and mining. Chinese experts are expected to provide training to local residents in these sectors. Efforts to promote and export precious stones from the region are also underway, supported by a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering tourism, mining, and agriculture. Raja Nazim-ul-Ameen stated that Kashgar University was initially offering scholarships for 10 students, and a request has now been made to the Chinese government to increase this number to 50.