Khunjerab Pass

Khunjerab Pass (红其拉甫口岸; ; قونجىراپ ئېغىزى) is a mountain pass in northern Pakistan that lies at an elevation of 4,693 meters (15,397 feet) above sea level. It is located in the Karakoram and holds a significant strategic position on the northern border of Pakistan, specifically in the Gilgit-Baltistan's Hunza and Nagar Districts. Additionally, it is positioned on the southwestern border of China, within the Xinjiang region.

Near Khunjerab Pass, there is another pass known as Mutsjliga Pass, which stands at an elevation of 5,314 meters (17,434 feet) and is located at approximately 36.97374°N, 75.2973°W.

Etymology
Its name is derived from two words of the local Wakhi language: "Khun" means blood and "Jerab" means a creek coming from a spring or waterfall.

Notability


The Khunjerab Pass holds several distinctions, including being the highest paved international border crossing globally and serving as the highest point along the Karakoram Highway. The construction of the road across this pass was completed in 1982, and it has since supplanted the previously unpaved Mintaka and Kilik passes as the principal route across the formidable Karakoram Range.

The decision to use the Khunjerab Pass for the Karakoram Highway was made in 1966. China citing the fact that Mintaka would be more susceptible to air strikes, recommended the steeper Khunjerab Pass instead.

On the Pakistani-administered side, the pass is 42 km from the National Park station and checkpoint in Dih, 75 km from the customs and immigration post in Sost, 270 km from Gilgit, and 870 km from Islamabad.

On the Chinese side, the pass is the southwest terminus of China National Highway 314 (G314) and is 130 km from Tashkurgan, 420 km from Kashgar and some 1890 km from Urumqi. The Chinese port of entry is located 3.5 km along the road from the pass in Tashkurgan County.

The long, relatively flat pass is often snow-covered during the winter season and as a consequence is generally closed for heavy vehicles from November 30 to May 1 and for all vehicles from December 30 to April 1.

The reconstructed Karakoram Highway passes through Khunjerab Pass.

Since June 1, 2006, there has been a daily bus service across the boundary from Gilgit to Kashgar, Xinjiang.

This is one of the international borders where left-hand traffic (Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan) changes to right-hand traffic (China) and vice versa.

Highest ATM in the world
The Pakistani side features the highest ATM in the world, administered by the National Bank of Pakistan and linked to China UnionPay and the domestic 1LINK switch.

Railway
In 2007, consultants were hired to evaluate the construction of a railway through this pass to connect China with transport in Pakistani-administered Gilgit-Baltistan. A feasibility study started in November 2009 for a line connecting Havelian 750 km away in Pakistan and Kashgar 350 km in Xinjiang. However, no progress has been made thereafter and this project is also not part of the current CPEC plan.