Wakhan Corridor, A game changer for Pakistan

 

It is a part of historical Durand line agreement held between British empire and  Russian empire in 1893.

A narrow strip of Afghanistan  separate  both then  empires together,  hence this place is termed as   Wakhan Corridor. This is around 16 km  strip which  separates  Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Now Wakhan corridor separates Pakistan from Tajikistan and joins Chinese province of Xinjiang. This is the only land border between Afghanistan and China.

It is interested to mention here,  that India also claim that it shares  around 105 kilometer land border with Afghanistan in Wakhan corridor. India   considers  Gilgit  and Biltistan as  occupied by Pakistan and this Pakistani province shares most of the Wakhan corridor border with Afghanistan.

Ladakh is a disputed land area between China and India, which joins the Chinese province of Xinjiang, which is  the only link to this corridor.

And, as a result of  recent border conflict with China, it is said major portion of Ladakh, is now under physical control of China.

The  Wakhan Corridor Countries.

1.       Afghanistan, Badakhshan province-East to west

2.       Tajikistan, Khurugh or Khorang  in Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous region-North

3.        Pakistan, Chitral , Broghil valley, and Durah pass- South

4.       China, Chalachigu valley or Karachukar valley of Xinjiang which is an autonomous region under Chinese control. This area is located in the North east of Wakhan corridor.

 

The mutual relations of Wakhan countries

There are no major disagreements among all four countries, in order to develop Wakhan trade routes.

Below are some important point to consider.

1.       There were  slight border disputes between Tajikistan and China. Both countries signed an agreement in 2010 regarding   ownership of Pamir range of mountains in settlement of  some financial arrangements. China also built a highway in Tajikistan  which connects its capital Dushanbe to Uzbekistan.

2.       Whereas Afghanistan and Tajikistan are already connected by land borders. Earlier, British Government initiated an informal free trade and economic zone in Tajikistan’s  bordering area, where Afghani traders are freely allowed  to access. This free trade zone is already in a process of formal market, where products from all four countries and Iran are available for small traders and  direct local consumers. Apart from  Badakhshan , Balakh, Kunduz and  Takhar provinces of ,  Afghanistan share its border with Tajikistan.

3.       Pakistan is connected to both  Afghanistan and China, and  have a good relationship with Tajikistan  as well. Moreover, Pakistan   host a significant Tajik  community as well, these people migrated to Northern areas of Pakistan during Soviet Afghan war period.

 

The  airports  available near Wakhan  corridor.

1.       Chitral  airport in Pakistan

2.       Fayazabad  airport in   Afghanistan-  flying distance  174 km from Chitral

3.       Khorog/Khorugh airport in Tajikistan-flying distance  321 km from Chitral

4.       Kunduz airport in Afghanistan-flying distance 272 km from Chitral

5.       Jalalabad airport in Afghanistan- flying distance 382 km from Chitral

6.       Kabul airport in Afghanistan-flying  distance 276 km from Chitral

Is Wakhan Corridor Geographically viable for land trade route?

This area is surrounded by  high mountains and extreme weather. The land routes can be developed here. But due to  extreme weather  and  high mountains, this project will  take more time and cost of completion.

 

Existing Route

One can access via  Peshawar to Jalalabad highway, which   connect  to both Kunduz and  Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan for onward trade and travel to Tajikistan. Again, the quality of highway is still not  good for  quick and safe travelling,however  this route need  constant improvement of road and related  structures.

The Proposed Access to Wakhan Corridor

There are three  locations  from Pakistan which can connect a  trade land route from Wakhan valley:

1.       Broghil Valley

2.       Durah Pass

3.       Sost  Khanjarab Pass.

 

Broghil valley  has a direct connection with  Wakhan corridor. It is located in Chitral district  of KPK and around 250 km away from Chitral  town.  But  this   route   remain closed from rest of the country for seven months  during  October to  April due to heavy rainfall and extreme weather. Even in the summer season , there is no direct  road access  to Broghil  and people  use  mules and yakes   to reach there.

 

The second  possible access  to Wakhan corridor is from Durah pass, which is also located in Chitral district. This  route  also remain closed in winter season. A proper road network is needed in this area as well.

 

Sost via Khanjarab pass  route is already active between China and Pakistan , but  China, did not open its border to Wakhan Corridor yet. Under this proposed route the traffic flow  would be  from Chalchigu valley located in China which  also serves as tripoint  junction city between, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

 

What Pakistan need to do to explore  Wakhan Corridor?

Below are some important  factors  for prime consideration.

1.       Pakistan need to develop a  strategy  for the development of  this corridor. Similarly  all other countries   need to plan their own strategy . In the second phase, the member countries  will need a consensus on a single strategy  in order to make this corridor economically viable.

2.       Like Broghil and Dorah  locations, similar viable locations to be identified in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and China.

3.       All countries  should  consider to upgrade their  airports for international flights among corridor member countries. These  airports are Chitral, Gilgit,  Fayazabad, Kunduz and Khorog. China is already under consideration to setup new airport at Taxkorgan, which is in Pamir range and near to Tajikistan.

4.       Government should consider to allow  new exclusive tourist  budget airline companies to develop overall  tourism in the country.

5.       The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) should consider to promote local and international tourism in areas under discussion by providing hotels, travelling guide and other services.

6.       The PTDC should encourage to register local tourists, Youtube bloggers and other tourism agencies to increase   traffic in these areas.

7.       The local Pakistani corporates should  provide  sponsorship to local  tourists  under  Corporate Social Responsibility  programme (CSR) .These corporates may include banks, cellular companies, energy and power distribution companies, motor vehicle and motor cycle manafucturing companies which are listed in Pakistan stock exchange.

8.       Tourism via biking is new emerging trend among Pakistani tourists, the Government should focus this area for further nurturing.

9.       PTDC should also consider to support  sports clubs, tourist clubs for  trecking, hiking, gliding sking and camping.

10.   There should be similar mandatory arrangements in all universities of Pakistan to explore local tourism, social interaction and development.

11.   The ministry for welfare and social development may also  add value in order to develop this area.

 

 

Last but not the least, it is difficult and long process to develop the remote areas, but always the first step gives startup to the whole process.

This corridor was known as a Great Game between two past empires but now it is a great  game changer for Pakistan . The sooner would be better for Pakistan.

I request  for vital comments and opinions from all readers.

I will try to write about the role of Chitral valley in continuation of this topic.

Qazi Muhammad Salahuddin

Our Global Society

https://qsalahudddin.blogspot.com/