PATTAN DAK: The Karakoram Highway (KKH) was closed for all types of traffic, resulting in long queues of vehicles on both sides, and thousands of passengers, tourists, and freight vehicles were stranded on the road due to landslides in the Pattan Dak area.
Due to the closure of the Karakoram Highway, land connection between Pakistan and China was also temporarily cut off, while a large number of tourists going to the Pakistan-China border areas for sightseeing and recreation were also stranded at different places.
According to local police officials, several passenger vehicles and transport vehicles going to Gilgit-Baltistan from different cities of the country were stopped on the way. The affected people include women, children, elderly people, students, and other passengers, who are facing severe difficulties.
According to sources, the stranded passengers tried to clear the debris on the side of the road and create a narrow path for small vehicles to pass, but heavy traffic and freight traffic have been completely suspended.
Long queues of hundreds of freight trucks and containers have formed on both sides of the Karakoram Highway, which has also affected commercial activities. Transporters say that the road closure has caused delays in the timely delivery of goods and financial losses.
Teams of the district administration, police, and related agencies are present at the affected area, while heavy machinery is being used to remove rocks and debris from the landslide. Officials say that traffic will be restored only after the road is declared safe.
The administration has appealed to passengers to avoid unnecessary travel and to check the latest situation on the Karakoram Highway with the relevant authorities before departure to avoid any unpleasant situation.
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