BEIJING, Jan 5: The Pakistan-China border at the 16,000-foot high Khunjerab pass in upper Hunza has been closed for travelling and trade via Karakoram Highway due to winter season. It would reopen in June, official sources told APP on Friday.

The decision was taken under a bilateral agreement between the two countries.

The custom authorities of the two countries suspend their operations every year between January and June in view of severe winter and snowfall over the hills.

The sources said the land route trade between the two countries has also been affected due to absence of bilateral trade agreement.

The agreement that was signed in 1963 lapsed three years back and had not yet been revived. Therefore, the normal legal trade between the two countries through the land route has almost come to a standstill.

Every year, the authorities from both sides were supposed to endorse, amend and update the provisions of the agreement keeping in view the prevailing business, social and political scenario across the border.

Under the agreement, the two sides are required to identify the items of import and export, the ratio of payable duties and the facilities needed to be provided to the traders.

The absence of this legal document is badly affecting the trade, particularly the Pakistani exports. This also gives rise to smuggling and other illegal business activities.

The sources hoped that the concerned departments would take necessary steps for the revival of trade protocol as soon as possible.—APP