Though much understated, the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting Afghanistan to China and offering easy access through several routes, holds an immense potential as a gateway for connectivity in the region. Yet, as Afghanistan continues to thwart Pakistan’s legitimate aspiration for regional trading access, Islamabad will have to reassess its strategic approach to guarantee the best prospects for its economic and geopolitical interests.

The Wakhan Corridor, a colonial relic, severs Pakistan’s direct access to Central Asia, limiting its trade and energy opportunities.

Not only does Afghanistan refuse to facilitate trade, but it also frustrates Pakistan’s efforts to connect with the nations in Central Asia and poses serious security threats to the whole region. Conversely, the porous border presents a risk to Pakistan, China and the broader Central Asian region, since militant groups can easily use the Wakhan Corridor.

The Wakhan Corridor is a colonial relic — the area was artificially drawn by the British in the 19th century to serve as a buffer between the Russian Empire and British India. This partition now severs Pakistan’s ability to access Central Asia directly and hence halts its economic and strategic potential. But before these colonial demarcations, the area had strong historical, cultural and economic links to Pakistan. By sharing a history that spans over the British colonially drawn borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan has a legitimate claim of regional integration through Wakhan, which erects a challenge to the artificial boundaries drawn during British colonial times.

Direct connectivity through the Wakhan Corridor is of the utmost economic significance. Pakistan being an energy deficient country gains a lot from direct trade in Central Asia, as Central Asia possesses rich resources of energy. Because Kabul’s policies are notoriously unpredictable, and its alliances so mercurial, there is extreme uncertainty in any reliance on Afghan transit routes today.

Ironically, Afghanistan under the Taliban accommodates India into Afghan airbases and trade routes whilst preventing Pakistan’s regional ambitions. However, Pakistan not only holds back on its own development but also obstructs Afghanistan’s potential to reap from mutually beneficial trade agreements through its discriminatory tactic.

Still ducking around, Afghanistan will have to be circumvented with some alternate strategies to give Pakistan direct access to the Central Asia region. The Wakhan Corridor might be legally acquired or leased from Afghanistan. Such a move would give Pakistan a permanent and regular trade route and allow it to cut down on its dependence on the uncertain Afghan transit route. Good programs result in a win-win situation for both countries, but only if there is a legal agreement negotiated diplomatically.

Afghanistan’s unpredictable policies obstruct Pakistan’s regional trade while simultaneously accommodating India’s economic interests.

But if in the future, Afghanistan remains hostile toward Pakistan and its regional trade interests are being blocked, then Islamabad would be forced to take stern strategic measures. Because the Wakhan Corridor is no more than 60 kilometres wide and as little as 15 kilometres wide, Pakistan has plenty of viable infrastructure options, like building a direct tunnel to Central Asia.

Bypassing Afghanistan’s opposition, such a project would also work for regional economic integration. Moreover, there is the necessity to explore the feasibility of a tunnel project with China and neighbouring Central Asian states in accordance with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to achieve maximum economic and strategic benefits.

Beyond economics, security of the Wakhan Corridor continues to be a pressure element. Because the unregulated passage carries the threat of being used by Afghan–based terrorist groups to infiltrate Pakistan, China and Central Asia. This only increases the risk when the Taliban is unable—or unwilling—to secure its borders. The security realm in the Wakhan region is not just about trade but it is important to safeguard the area from becoming a haven of terrorists for Pakistan and its regional counter terrorism partners. In any future engagement on the Wakhan Corridor, this security aspect needs to be dealt with, including border controls that are extremely rigid to prevent militant spillover.

Afghanistan’s reluctance to get into it makes it imperative for Pakistan to get more proactively involved with the international stake holders to bring more pressure to bear upon the problem. Diplomatic pressure and multilateral negotiations, with special regard to the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and China, will be required to break deadlock. The broader international community, including economic blocs such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), must understand that Pakistan’s regional connectivity aspirations are for the economic growth and stability of the region, as well.

At the international forums Pakistan’s policymakers must also point out the hypocrisy of Afghanistan on regional trade. All of this is in total contradiction to the Taliban’s policy of giving respectability to India and preventing Pakistan from realising its legitimate economic aspirations. As it would warrant access to the regional market, Pakistan can use diplomatic platforms to challenge this level bias and elicit support.

Exploring legal acquisition or infrastructure projects like tunnels can help Pakistan bypass Afghanistan’s trade blockade.

In the longer term, it is for Pakistan to set a different path of independent trade routes and independence from manipulation. This is a relic of colonial division but certainly makes Pakistan an economic possibility. Therefore, it is essential for Pakistan to continue ensuring its access to Central Asia, by negotiating bilateral legalities, strategic infrastructure and international diplomacy. Consequently, Pakistan must demonstrate that it will not allow the shape of its economic future to become beholden to Kabul’s parochial concerns if Afghanistan persists in obstructionist

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.