Karakoram Highway fully restored as Pakistan reopens northern road network for safe tourism

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: In a major relief for tourists and transporters, Pakistan has successfully restored its northern road network, including the strategic Karakoram Highway (KKH), a vital lifeline under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), following widespread damage caused by recent torrential rains.

The National Highway Authority (NHA) mobilized on an emergency footing, deploying heavy machinery and personnel around the clock to rehabilitate vital routes in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kaghan, Naran, and Skardu. The rapid recovery effort has ensured the full resumption of traffic across all major arteries, particularly the KKH which links Pakistan with China’s Xinjiang province.

Federal Secretary for Communications Ali Sher Mehsud led by example, personally traversing the restored routes from Chilas through Mansehra, Babusar Top, and up to Khunjerab Pass—the highest paved international border crossing in the world. His journey served as a symbolic reassurance that these roadways are now fully operational and safe for travel.

He further inspected the 144-kilometer Jaglot–Skardu Highway, confirming that vehicular traffic was flowing smoothly in both directions. In a video message, Mehsud encouraged domestic and international tourists to resume travel to the breathtaking northern areas without hesitation.

“This is a proud achievement,” said Mehsud. “The Karakoram Highway, which stands not just as an engineering marvel but as a testament to Pakistan-China friendship, has been reopened swiftly. Our teams have worked tirelessly to restore this critical artery.”

The restoration holds significant importance not only for tourism but also for cross-border trade and the logistical continuity of CPEC. The KKH, co-built and co-maintained by Pakistan and China, is a cornerstone of regional connectivity, and its reopening reflects the strategic resolve of both nations to preserve infrastructure resilience.

A comprehensive report detailing the restoration efforts has been submitted to Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, who directed the NHA to act swiftly in minimizing disruption and restoring public confidence. The minister lauded the extraordinary performance of NHA teams and reaffirmed that long-term safety enhancements will follow.

Despite the scale of destruction caused by landslides and road washouts, the NHA completed over 90 percent of the rehabilitation work within days. Roads such as N-15 through Kaghan and Naran were reopened earlier, facilitating smooth movement of both tourists and freight carriers.

Meanwhile, NHA Chairman Shehryar Sultan carried out a review mission in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, inspecting landslide removal operations between Kohala Bridge and Muzaffarabad, further underscoring the federal government’s commitment to connectivity even in remote and difficult terrains.

The successful reopening of the Karakoram Highway and other critical links not only marks a technical achievement but also signals a resilient infrastructure partnership with China under the broader CPEC umbrella. The development is expected to reinvigorate tourism, boost local economies, and reaffirm Pakistan’s readiness to manage future climate-related challenges through coordinated planning and regional cooperation.