The Islamic Emirate is transforming the Wakhan region into a global trade hub, aiming to open new trade routes with China and neighboring countries, the Washington Post said in its recent report.
The American newspaper highlighted that if Wakhan establishes its significance as a transit route, it could facilitate a shorter path for China to connect with regional countries and vice versa, significantly contributing to regional trade.
This article emphasizes the geopolitical importance and historical background of Wakhan, noting that this area was once not considered part of Afghanistan, but now its transit and commercial significance are being discussed.
Wakhan is a corridor located in the northeastern part of Afghanistan.
It should be said that from the economic point, the corridor called for an area, indicating that several routes emerged from this single area.
The term “corridor” is used to describe such regions that provide access to various routes.
Historically, Wakhan has been a site of many conflicts, with major powers attempting to exert control over it.
This corridor has the potential to connect East, South, and Central Asia simultaneously.
The report also mentions that Wakhan serves as a crucial link between Tajikistan and Pakistan, with only 13 kilometers separating the two countries.
Recent rumors suggested that Pakistan has a claim to the waters in this region, but it’s important to note that Wakhan shares a border with Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan, a federal region where residents often deny their Pakistani identity.
Wakhan is fundamentally part of Afghanistan and connects Afghan territory with China.
The entire length of this corridor is approximately 350 kilometers, with varying widths of 13 to 65 kilometers in some areas. The total area of this corridor is around 10,300 square kilometers, inhabited by approximately 15,000 people.
This vast geography connects three of the world’s highest peaks (Karakoram, Pamir, and Hindu Kush).
China shares borders with 13 other countries, but its shortest border is with Afghanistan, which has a distance of about 76 kilometers.
This is considered the shortest border China has with country, then other countries.
Notably, since 1895, Wakhan has functioned as a buffer zone between the then-Soviet Union and the British Empire. The corridor at that time had the role of a wall between the two forces.
The region’s interest has increased because controlling Wakhan means accessing the resources of Central Asia.
Countries like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan possess unparalleled reserves of gas and oil.
While Wakhan is a difficult terrain, it remains the only narrow route allowing movement in and out.
This corridor facilitates access and transit between Afghanistan and China.
Wakhan has deep historical roots, having been mentioned in ancient texts, and was largely governed by local rulers from Badakhshan for an extended period.
Moreover, Wakhan could potentially establish a land transit route that brings together Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and Tajikistan at one point.
If the neighboring countries are sincere, they could greatly benefit from this corridor, leading to self-sufficiency and economic growth for the region.