According to a report by The Washington Post, construction of the Wakhan Corridor road in Badakhshan, linking Afghanistan to China, has been halted by the IEA for the past seven months.
The newspaper, on Monday, February 3, reported that satellite images show no progress has been made on the Wakhan road, also known as the “Wakhan Corridor.” The satellite images were taken by a commercial company called “Maxar.”
The report also mentions that Beijing has yet to initiate any large-scale projects to construct a road with Afghanistan. According to the report, if the road were built, the route through Pakistan to China would be shortened, connecting Afghanistan to the world’s largest trading hub.
Despite this, the IEA has repeatedly claimed that construction on the Wakhan Corridor road is ongoing and that progress has been made.
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It is noteworthy that a Chinese media outlet reported last year that China, due to the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, is not eager to pursue a road connection with the IEA.
The Washington Post further highlighted that the pause in construction has raised concerns among international observers about the future of trade routes between Afghanistan and China. While Afghanistan’s strategic location offers potential trade opportunities, instability in the region continues to hinder the development of critical infrastructure projects.
Moreover, the report suggests that China’s hesitation to engage in infrastructure projects with the IEA might reflect broader geopolitical concerns. Despite the IEA’s claims, it remains unclear whether China will prioritize Afghanistan as a key part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the near future.
The stalled construction of the Wakhan Corridor road underlines the complexities surrounding Afghanistan’s rebuilding efforts. International partnerships and progress on such infrastructure projects are highly contingent on regional stability and security, which remain fragile under the current political climate.
This news is sourced from [Khaama Press News Agency] and is for informational purposes only.
