The lifeline between Pakistan and China, the Karakoram Highway, has come to a standstill. The 1,300-kilometre artery, stretching from Hasan Abdal in Punjab to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, is currently blocked at Bhasha, situated in the Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hazara Division.
The abrupt closure has left a multitude of travelers marooned in the rugged terrain. The stranded include the elderly, children, and women, all halted mid-journey. A sea of vehicles, numbering in the hundreds, are also immobilized due to the shutdown.
The authorities have pointed to ongoing rehabilitation efforts as the cause for the closure. The highway, a crucial link between Pakistan and China, is undergoing a facelift, leading to this temporary inconvenience.
Adding to the woes, inclement weather and landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan rendered several sections of the highway impassable earlier on Wednesday. Consequently, the authorities have cautioned against travel until the situation improves and the roads are deemed safe for traffic.
In essence, the Karakoram Highway, a vital national thoroughfare, is currently in a state of suspension, leaving travelers in limbo and vehicles at a standstill. As the rehabilitation work continues, all eyes are on the authorities for swift action to restore this crucial link.
