A proposed extension will see new track laid from Havelian station to the Pakistan-China border at the Khunjerab Pass where it will link up with China's Kashgar–Hotan railway.

[4] In June 2014, China commissioned a "preliminary research study" to build an international rail link to Pakistan.

[5] In 2016 this 682 km proposed railway link was reported to be part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor,[6] and was to commence construction during the second phase of CPEC between 2018 and 2022.

[7][8] However the construction of this railway line was not mentioned in the CPEC Long Term Plan from 2017 to 2030[9] released jointly by China and Pakistan in 2017.

China's involvement in several rail projects in Pakistan is motivated primarily by commercial considerations, but it also sees distinct advantages for its improved transportation and access to Central Asia and the Persian Gulf states.