ISLAMABAD — Heavy snowfall has disrupted traffic at Khunjerab Pass along the Pakistan-China border, leaving tourists, passengers, and dozens of cargo containers stranded on the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Several vehicles reportedly skidded on the snow-covered road, including three containers whose drivers were rescued safely.
Gilgit-Baltistan Tourism Minister Naiknaam Karim was also among the stranded passengers. According to GB police, heavy snowfall continued at Khunjerab Top on Friday, making the road dangerous for travel. A Chinese cargo container also overturned after skidding on the slippery road. Local travelers and police personnel rescued the driver, who escaped unharmed.
Stranded passengers criticized the authorities for failing to clear the road despite worsening weather conditions. In a video message, Tourism Minister Naiknaam Karim said the Chinese side of the border had been cleared of snow, while the Pakistani side remained covered with approximately four inches of snow and ice. He said several vehicles had skidded due to slippery conditions and urged the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) to immediately deploy snow-clearing machinery to prevent further accidents.