ISLAMABAD, April 30: Pakistan and China have formally agreed not to open the Kunjerab border for at least one month in the wake of SARS outbreak, senior officials in the interior ministry and the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) confirmed to Dawn on Wednesday night.

The cross-border movement was scheduled to begin from May 1 under the mutual consent of both countries. However, due to the outbreak of SARS in China and other far-eastern countries, the Pakistan government requested the Chinese government to extend the closure of the border at Sust customs checkpoint.

The officials said that movement of about 1000 persons a month between the two countries through the Kunjerab pass was expected.

When contacted by Dawn, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said that the decision had been taken to keep the border closed for some time. However, he did not mention till what date the border will remain closed.

The minister said that the administration of Northern Areas had also been directed to take effective steps to keep monitoring on transportation between the two friendly countries.

Mr Hayat said the government had called a meeting of the representatives of the Northern Areas administration to review how SARS-affected people could be checked at exit and entry points at the border areas.

“If the administration of Northern Areas takes the responsibility that it will stop the incoming SARS-affected people to Pakistan, then the government will consider reopening the border,” he said.

The minister disclosed that Pakistan would shortly suspend its flights to all such countries which have been hit by the deadly virus.

The customs officials at Sust checkpoint have, however, conveyed to the government that it would not be possible for them to cope with the situation within the limited resources.

The federal health minister, Nasir Khan, has recently announced that 3 to 4 persons of the health department were expected to be posted at Sust checkpoint along with their equipment for screening the incoming passengers for the virus.