TASHKURGAN: The Khunjerab Pass, which straddles the border between Pakistan and China, opened for winter tourism for the first time on Wednesday.

A colourful inaugural ceremony to mark the occasion was held at Tashkurgan, a city in China on the border with Tajikistan. Music, fireworks, traditional dances and national songs of both countries lent pomp and pageantry to the event.

Raja Nazeemul Ameen, an aide to the president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), led Pakistan’s delegation to the ceremony.

The delegation met Chinese government officials and travel agents to explore ways and means for promotion of trade and tourism between GB and China’s north-west.

Speakers from both countries termed the opening of Khunjerab Pass to tourists round the year a “historic achievement” that would go a long way in the promotion of tourism, particularly in GB and Xinjiang.

Iqbal Hussain, who heads GB’s tourism department, said that even though Khunjerab Pass was opened to tourism in 1984, it was confined to summer due to adverse weather conditions during winter.

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“Realising the potential of winter tourism, it was felt necessary to initiate opening of the border round the year,” he said.

The deputy commissioner of Tashkurgan expressed the hope that travel through Khunjerab Pass would improve the quality of life in the area.

After the ceremony, a tourist bus carrying 21 delegates left China for Pakistan amid fanfare and to the accompaniment of music.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2024