Naimal Iqbal
Revitalizing the old silk route; A Bridge or a Barrier for Pakistan and Afghanistan?
The Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land wedged between Tajikistan, China, and Pakistan, has long been a strategic and geographically significant region. Its significance is amplified by the historical and political complexities of its two flanking nations, Pakistan and Afghanistan. While the Wakhan Corridor offers a distinct combination of benefits and drawbacks for both countries, its future remains entangled in a web of geopolitics and economic realities, enacting to be a natural buffer between Pakistan, Afghanistan and its northern neighbour, China.
Propitiously, the Wakhan Corridor holds potential for economic development through trade and tourism. With its unique landscape and cultural heritage, it could become a significant destination for adventure tourism, benefiting both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s access to the Wakhan Corridor is limited due to its remote location and difficult terrain. This restricts its ability to fully capitalize on its potential for economic development. The Wakhan Corridor is a potential hotbed for terrorist activities due to its proximity to Afghanistan’s volatile regions. This poses a security risk for Pakistan, requiring significant resources for monitoring and control. Pakistan’s current economic challenges make it difficult to invest in infrastructure development in the Wakhan Corridor, hindering its potential for economic growth.
The Wakhan Corridor offers Afghanistan a potential route for economic and cultural exchange with China. It could act as a gateway for trade and investment, boosting Afghanistan’s economic prospects, rich in cultural heritage and offers a unique opportunity for tourism and cultural exchange. Despite its potential benefits, the Wakhan Corridor remains largely isolated and underdeveloped, hampering its economic growth.
However, the status between the two remains a point of contention, potentially leading to political instability and disputes. Afghanistan’s ongoing conflicts and lack of infrastructure development impede its ability to fully exploit the potential of the Wakhan Corridor for economic growth and security.
The Wakhan Corridor provides Pakistan with a buffer zone against potential threats from Afghanistan and Central Asia. It limits the influence of hostile forces in the region and prevents them from directly bordering Pakistan. Pakistan could benefit from the development of infrastructure in the Wakhan Corridor, such as roads and pipelines, connecting it with Central Asia and potentially offering access to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The corridor presents an opportunity for increased security cooperation with China, particularly in tackling terrorism and extremism in the region.
Moreover, developing infrastructure and promoting economic activity in the corridor requires substantial investment, which could strain Pakistan’s already limited resources. Pakistan’s involvement in the Wakhan Corridor could potentially strain relations with Afghanistan, especially if it perceived Pakistan as encroaching on its territory.
Whilst, the old silk route is a crucial link in China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, offering access to Central Asia and potentially Europe through Pakistan. The corridor could facilitate the construction of pipelines for transporting oil and gas from Central Asia to China, enhancing China’s energy security. China’s influence in the region would increase through infrastructure development and economic activities in the corridor, strengthening its strategic position in Central Asia.
The corridor is prone to instability and terrorism, posing risks to Chinese investments and projects. China’s involvement in the Wakhan Corridor could face resistance from Afghanistan, as well as from other regional powers concerned about Chinese dominance. Investing in infrastructure development in the Wakhan Corridor requires significant financial resources, adding to the already substantial costs of the Belt and Road Initiative.
However in terms of Economic Development it could be a catalyst for economic growth in Afghanistan, attracting foreign investment and creating jobs. The corridor could improve connectivity with neighboring countries, facilitating trade and cultural exchange. Increased economic activity and development could potentially contribute to greater stability and security in the region.
Afghanistan is wary of potential external interference and the loss of its sovereignty in the Wakhan Corridor. Afghanistan lacks the resources and capacity constraints to effectively manage and develop the corridor, requiring significant international support. Besides, the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan could hinder progress and make it difficult to attract investment and maintain stability in the corridor.
Finally, the speculation surrounding China’s preference for Afghanistan over Pakistan is merely unfounded gossip. New Chinese enterprises exhibit hesitance in pursuing investment initiatives and projects in Afghanistan following the resurgence of the Taliban government, primarily due to the unstable conditions within Afghanistan, which have adversely affected Pakistan, placing it in a precarious situation.
The Chinese authorities remain apprehensive about security concerns. To address these challenges, the existing trilateral negotiation forum among the three nations could be instrumental. The lingering disputes between Pakistan and Afghanistan can only be effectively resolved through constructive dialogue, setting aside the blame game, and addressing terrorism with strict adherence to accountability. The historic Silk Route, specifically the Wakhan Corridor, offers a quadrilateral connection among Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, while the 350-meter elevation could facilitate a link between China and Afghanistan if this ancient route is revitalized.
Furthermore, the Wakhan Corridor presents a complex and multifaceted strategic landscape for Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. While each country holds distinct ambitions and concerns, there is potential for cooperation and shared benefits. However, managing the competing interests and addressing security concerns will be crucial for achieving sustainable development and promoting regional stability in the Wakhan Corridor.
The future of the Wakhan Corridor hinges on the political and economic realities of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. While it presents potential benefits for both countries, realizing those benefits requires significant investment and cooperation. Addressing security concerns and building infrastructure are crucial steps towards unlocking the economic potential of this strategically vital region.
The writer can be reached at nkhawajas@gmail.com
