G-B requests federal govt to delay reopening of China-Pakistan border.

ABBOTTABAD -- The outbreak of a novel coronavirus in China has set off a global frenzy.

The scare is more widespread in Pakistan - especially in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) - due to its geographical proximity with China, and frequent movement of people and goods between the two countries through the only border crossing located in the region.

Authorities in G-B have stopped two shipping containers carrying goods from entering Pakistan through Khunjerab Pass while requesting the federal government to delay the reopening of the border crossing for trade as a precautionary measure.

Sited at over 4,600 metres above sea level, Khunjerab Pass is the highest paved border crossing in the world on the fabled Karakoram Highway which traders and travellers have to traverse to transit between Pakistan and China.

'We have denied entry to two shipping containers which arrived at the border crossing from China after the outbreak of the mysterious coronavirus,' Shams Mir, a spokesperson for the G-B government, told media. 'The information has been shared with the federal authorities.'

On average 15 shipping containers loaded with goods cross into Pakistan every day, an official of Pakistan Customs said. Similarly, on average 10 passenger vehicles - including one bus of the G-B government - also cross the border daily, said the official who wished not to be named.

Trade and travel through Khunjerab Pass is suspended from November and February due to heavy snowfall in the region, but in special cases containers are allowed to enter Pakistan through this border crossing.

The spokesperson said authorities in the region fear that the mysterious virus could be transmitted through trade goods or even through air because G-B shares a border with China.

'We have requested the federal government to delay the reopening of the border crossing for trade and travel,' he added.

Meanwhile, the G-B government has directed the health department to put in place necessary safety protocols, including screening travellers from China, at the border crossing.

The spokesperson revealed that around 55 people are stuck in China as they are not allowed by the Chinese authorities...