KARAKORAM: In a significant development for regional connectivity and economic integration, the Khunjerab border between Pakistan and China has officially reopened, giving fresh momentum to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The reopening was formalised during a virtual meeting between senior officials from both sides, where leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation for shared prosperity.
Speaking on the occasion, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan described the event as a “historic milestone” for both the region and the country. “The year-round opening of the Khunjerab border will act as a vital economic artery, breathing new life into our regional trade and development efforts,” he stated.
Echoing these sentiments, Erkin Tuniyaz, Governor of China’s Xinjiang region, highlighted the deepening ties between the two nations. “Our friendship has entered a new era. We look forward to working closely with the leadership of Gilgit-Baltistan to promote peace, development, and mutual benefit,” he said.
During the session, the Chinese side also presented a documentary outlining streamlined customs clearance procedures, aiming to enhance the efficiency of cross-border trade.
PM Eyes Space Collaboration with China
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed Pakistan’s strong interest in expanding cooperation with China in cutting-edge sectors such as space technology, satellite communication, and broadband internet via satellite.
The remarks came during a high-level discussion with a delegation from Chinese space tech firm Galaxy Space, led by Chairman Xu Ming. The prime minister emphasised the importance Pakistan places on advancing its space technology sector and welcomed potential investments in this domain.
The Galaxy Space delegation showed keen interest in collaborating with Pakistani institutions — including the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and local telecom operators — to launch joint projects and support the country’s digital development.
Expressing gratitude for Pakistan’s warm hospitality, the visiting delegation said their discussions with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and SUPARCO were highly productive.
Also present at the meeting were Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Advisor Dr. Tauqir Shah, and officials from key government departments.
