ISLAMABAD : On 4th April 2026 at the Chinese Cemetery in Gilgit will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, along with the observance of the Chinese Tomb Sweeping Festival. It will be a commemorative ceremony to pay homage to the dedication and valor of those who lost their lives during the construction of Karakorum Highway (KKH) from 1959 to 1979.
The program is expected to host approximately 200 participants, including members of the local community, students, and invited guests. Students from the Chinese language classroom will present cultural performances to highlight the spirit of friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations.
The event is sponsored by Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, and will be organized by the Association of Overseas Chinese Community Gilgit and local Chinese language school. Pakistani media representatives will also be invited to cover the program, ensuring wider outreach and visibility.
The objective of this event is to honor the longstanding(75 years) friendship between China and Pakistan, promote cultural understanding, and pay respect during the Tomb Sweeping Festival in a dignified and meaningful manner.
The Karakorum Highway (KKH) is the precursor to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which transformed the road connectivity into efficient link between Pakistan and China.
The 1300 km long KKH starts from China’s Xinjiang province, after passing through Gilgit-Baltistan, ends at Hasan Abdal region of Punjab.
The KKH, also known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, was jointly constructed by Pakistani and Chinese engineers and workers. About 778 Pakistani and 110 Chinese workers lost their lives. Most of the Chinese workers were laid to rest at Gilgit Dineyour, which is locally known as ‘China Qabristan and China Yadgar.
Chinese Yadgar is in Dunyour, a town along the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit district about 8 km from Gilgit city. The yadgar was built in the early 1970s. The cemetery is maintained by Chinese government’s appointed custodians who provide information about the cemetery to tourists.
