Last updated at 10:38pm, July 28, 2026; three minutes read time.
Zulfiqar Ahmad
Islamabad: The proposed connectivity routes between Chitral and Central Asian states has come under discussion with regional experts and local stakeholders calling for a detailed assessment of options and several voices favouring the Broghil Pass route over Dorah Pass due to security, geographic and strategic considerations.
The debate over the two mountain routes – one in Lower Chitral and the other in Upper Chitral – has emerged amid discussions that Pakistan may explore future connectivity options linking its northern areas with neighbouring regions, including Afghanistan, China and Central Asia.
Supporters of the Broghil route argue that, although it is a few kilometres longer than the Dorah option, its location near the Wakhan Corridor could provide potential links with Tajikistan and other Central Asian states without passing through much of the war-torn and security risk Afghanistan.
They believe investment in infrastructure, border management and security arrangements could allow the route to contribute to regional trade, tourism and economic integration.
The Dorah Pass, which connects Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province with Lower Chitral, has also been highlighted as a possible future option because of its shorter distance and potential benefits for cross-border movement and tourism.
However, analysts and local representatives have raised concerns over security challenges linked with the route, citing Afghanistan’s instability and difficulties in developing infrastructure in sensitive border regions. At present, the forces of Taliban regime have come under deadly attacks in the districts of Afghanistan bordering Chitral by a new outfit called Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF).
Sardar Nawaz Khan, a Chitral-origin development practitioner based in Canada, told ChitralToday that the route selection should not be based solely on distance and required a broader assessment of security, geography, regional stability and long-term economic sustainability.
“Connectivity decisions require an assessment of the wider environment, including security, geography and economic realities,” he said, adding that Broghil’s location near the Wakhan Corridor required careful evaluation as part of Pakistan’s future connectivity strategy.
Discussing the Dorah Pass option as a possible route linking Pakistan with Central Asian states, Khan said its shorter distance could involve greater challenges due to Afghanistan’s instability and Pakistan’s fragile relations with the country.
Referring to Afghanistan’s prolonged conflict history, he said reliance on sensitive routes through Afghanistan could create risks for communities, infrastructure and economic activities.
He described Broghil Pass as a potentially safer option. “Although the Broghil route is a bit longer, it is far safer in every respect, and there are no such security concerns or hostile populations along the way,” he said.
Khan also referred to the vision behind the Lowari Tunnel project, crediting former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for supporting an internal connection between Chitral and the rest of Pakistan.
“The Awami National Party (NAP) and Mufti Mahmood wanted Chitral to be connected to the then NWFP through Jalalabad. However, Bhutto’s political vision anticipated the challenges that the future might bring,” he said.
Advocate Siraj Ali Khan, a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) provincial council member from Upper Chitral, also called for further evaluation of the Broghil route, saying it could potentially serve as a corridor linking South Asian and Central Asian markets.
He said the Dorah Pass option faced major challenges because of Afghanistan’s security situation, particularly regarding border management, regional stability and long-term connectivity prospects.
Khan said Broghil offered greater security advantages compared with Dorah Pass, which he described as more vulnerable due to strained Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and continuing security concerns.
He added that many residents of Chitral supported the Broghil option and urged authorities to consider local perspectives before finalising any future connectivity strategy.
He said the PPP’s Upper Chitral chapter would organise an all-parties conference shortly to build political support for selecting Broghil Pass over Dorah Pass.
لوٹ کوہ کے عوام سے ایک چھوٹی سی گزارش ہے: دوراہ پاس کے عشق میں اتنا آگے نہ نکل جائیں کہ واپسی کا راستہ بھی نظر نہ آئے۔ پہاڑوں میں راستے صرف پتھروں سے نہیں بنتے، کبھی کبھی غلط فیصلوں سے بھی بن جاتے ہیں، اور پھر نسلیں ان پر چلنے کا بوجھ اٹھاتی رہتی ہیں۔
دوراہ پاس کے حامی اسے ایسے پیش کر رہے ہیں جیسے یہ کوئی جنت کا دروازہ ہو جس کی چابی صرف انہی کے پاس ہے۔ لیکن حقیقت کا ایک چھوٹا سا کانٹا اس خوبصورت خواب میں چبھتا ہے: یہ راستہ براہ راست افغانستان کی طرف جاتا ہے۔ یعنی اس کی قسمت صرف ہماری خواہشات سے نہیں، دو ملکوں کے تعلقات، سرحدی حالات اور سیاسی موسم سے بھی جڑی ہوئی ہے۔ آج راستہ کھلا ہے، کل اگر حالات خراب ہوئے تو وہی راستہ ایک بند دروازہ بن سکتا ہے، اور پھر ہم اپنی تقریروں کو پارسل کر کے کس طرف بھیجیں گے؟
ترقی کا مطلب یہ نہیں کہ چند ہزار لوگوں کے لیے ایک ایسا منصوبہ کھڑا کیا جائے جس کے گرد جذبات کا میلہ لگا دیا جائے۔ ترقی وہ ہوتی ہے جس کا فائدہ زیادہ لوگوں تک پہنچے۔ اسی لیے بروغل پاس زیادہ محفوظ، زیادہ عملی اور زیادہ وسیع فائدے والا راستہ ہے۔ مگر ہمارے ہاں ایک عجیب بیماری ہے: جو منصوبہ زیادہ لوگوں کے کام آئے، اس پر اتنی بحث نہیں ہوتی؛ اور جس میں مقامی جذبات، سیاسی نعرے اور ذاتی دلچسپیاں شامل ہوں، وہ قومی غیرت کا مسئلہ بن جاتا ہے۔
اب ذرا اس عظیم علمی انقلاب کا مشاہدہ کیجیے جو دوراہ پاس کے گرد برپا ہے۔ کچھ ریٹائرڈ بابو، جن کی سرکاری ملازمت کے دوران زبان شاید فائلوں، نوٹیفکیشنوں اور قواعد کی الماری میں محفوظ رہی، آج اچانک دوراہ پاس کے سب سے بڑے ترجمان بن گئے ہیں۔ لگتا ہے ریٹائرمنٹ کے بعد نہ صرف پنشن ملتی ہے بلکہ دبی ہوئی آراء بھی قسطوں میں جاری ہوتی ہیں۔
اور پھر ہمارے کچھ مذہبی دانشور بھی اس میدان میں اتر آئے ہیں۔ جنہوں نے عمر بھر ایک خاص شعبے میں خدمات انجام دیں، وہ اب دوراہ پاس پر پی ایچ ڈی تحقیق کے ذریعے پہاڑوں، راستوں اور سرحدوں کے ماہر بننے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں۔ علم حاصل کرنا یقیناً قابلِ احترام ہے، مگر سوال یہ ہے کہ یہ علمی بیداری اسی وقت کیوں آئی جب دوراہ پاس ایک سیاسی بحث کا موضوع بن گیا؟
شاید ہمارے خطے میں ترقی کا ایک نیا اصول ایجاد ہو چکا ہے: پہلے کسی منصوبے کو جذبات کا لباس پہناؤ، پھر اس کے دفاع کے لیے ماہرین پیدا کرو، پھر اختلاف کرنے والوں کو ترقی دشمن قرار دے دو۔
دوراہ پاس ایک راستہ ہے، کوئی مقدس کتاب نہیں۔ اس پر سوال اٹھانا دشمنی نہیں، بلکہ شاید وہی عقل کی آخری نشانی ہے جو ابھی باقی رہ گئی ہے۔ قومیں صرف راستے نہیں بناتیں، وہ فیصلہ کرتی ہیں کہ کون سا راستہ انہیں کہاں لے جائے گا۔ ورنہ تاریخ میں ایسے بہت سے راستے ملتے ہیں جو بن تو گئے، مگر منزل تک کبھی نہیں پہنچے۔
This is an exaggeration to support Broghil pass as ideal future connectivity between Pakistan and CARs.The distance,weather conditions and past historical linkages are also matters of great considerations.Whether it is wakhan corridor or Durah pass ,both pass through the Afghan land and vulnerable to security risks and none is exempted.
The political elders, religious scholars, intellectuals of Chitral and PPP,s divisional leadership should call an all-parties meeting to discuss the future potential development. PPP’s leadership and activists must take the initiative because ZA Bhutu took the initiative and took a bold step to start the Loweri tunnel, and he had a dream to develop Chitral and the northern areas. The credit also goes to General Musharraf, who loved the northern areas. It is a national interest, and we should not think about personalities at this time.
Three Strategic Routes to Link the Wakhan Corridor with CPEC and Gwadar:
To connect the Wakhan Corridor with CPEC and Gwadar Port through Chitral, three strategic routes are available:
Broghil to Shah Jinali through Chitral
Broghil to Mastuj to Chitral
Broghil to Shandur Pass via Yarkhun and Mastuj to Gilgit Baltistan to CPEC
These three routes are considered secure and practical from multiple perspectives. Geographically, they pass through stable terrain with existing road alignments or feasible transport corridors. Politically, they remain entirely within Pakistan after entering through Broghil, reducing cross border complexities. Environmentally, they avoid many of the high-risk natural disaster zones associated with alternative routes, such as avalanches and landslides. From a defence and national security perspective, these routes are easier to monitor, protect, and maintain. Making them strategically suitable for linking the Wakhan Corridor with CPEC and the Port of Gwadar.
The Wakhan Corridor offers Pakistan a unique opportunity to establish a direct overland connection between Central Asia and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Through Chitral, three strategic routes can facilitate this connectivity to Gwadar Port.
These three routes possess significant strategic advantages. Geographically, they provide practical and reliable access through Pakistan’s northern mountain region. Politically, they remain within Pakistan’s sovereign territory after entering through Broghil, minimizing international transit complications. Environmentally, they are comparatively more suitable for infrastructure development and long-term operation than several alternative mountain crossings. From a defence and national security perspective, these corridors are easier to monitor, secure, and maintain, enhancing Pakistan’s ability to safeguard a vital trade and transit network.
Developing these three routes would strengthen Pakistan’s role as the principal gateway between Central Asia, China, and the Arabian Sea. By integrating the Wakhan Corridor with CPEC and Gwadar Port, Pakistan could expand regional trade, improve strategic connectivity, stimulate economic development in Chitral and Gilgit–Baltistan, and reinforce its position as a key hub for Eurasian commerce.