A flag-raising ceremony 5,100 metres above sea-level on 4 October marked China’s 77th anniversary—but it also underscored a five-day shutdown of the Khunjerab Pass, the only all-weather highway between Pakistan and China. Pakistani Customs confirmed that no commercial trucks or tourist coaches will be processed from 1 to 5 October as Xinjiang officials suspend operations for the Golden Week holiday. Khunjerab is a critical node on the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). On a normal day, up to 300 containers—mainly electronics, textiles and vehicle parts—cross the border. Forwarders in Gilgit told Dawn that consignments are being warehoused at Sost Dry Port; demurrage charges will be waived but perishable cargo faces spoilage risks. Chinese logistics firms have re-routed high-value shipments via the Port of Gwadar, adding three days to transit times. Thousands of Pakistani students and traders currently in Xinjiang are also affected. The Consulate in Urumqi has advised nationals whose visas expire this week to apply online for emergency extensions. Meanwhile, tour operators on both sides have had to refund Golden Week packages to the Karakoram mountains. For businesses, the closure is a reminder that China’s domestic holiday calendar can ripple across international corridors. Companies should build National-Day contingencies into CPEC delivery schedules and monitor joint customs notices, which are typically published only a few days in advance. Trade is expected to resume at 09:00 local time on 6 October, but backlogs may take 48 hours to clear.
Source: DAWN
