CHITRAL: Work has started to widen and improve the road from Chitral to the Shah Salim border to support formal Pakistan-Afghanistan trade through this historic route.
The move follows the completion of a 190-kilometre road on the Afghan side connecting Panjshir province to the Shah Salim border. This direct link is expected to transform regional trade and strengthen economic ties between Chitral and Afghanistan’s northern provinces, including Badakhshan and Panjshir.
Previously, the Shah Salim route was a narrow, unregulated path used informally for cross-border trade. During the Afghan war years, significant commerce took place along this route, with goods worth millions of rupees exchanged informally between Chitral and Afghan provinces.
Now, the Pakistani government is upgrading its section of the road to enable secure, legal trade.
“If this trade route becomes operational, it will be a game-changer for the people of Chitral as well as Badakhshan and Panjshir,” said Syed Muhammad, a trader from Afghanistan.
He explained that transporting goods via Kabul or other longer routes is far costlier and time-consuming. “With Chitral more accessible, traders will prefer this direct route for both import and export,” he added, predicting that hundreds of shops could reopen in places like Gabor.
Local business owners in Garam Chashma have also welcomed the initiative. They say improved trade links will strengthen Chitral’s economy while supporting recovery and development in Afghanistan’s northern provinces.
Traders expect Afghanistan to export precious stones, livestock and other goods to Chitral, while Pakistani products such as food items, construction materials and textiles will find strong demand across the border.
Officials said the upgraded road on the Chitral side will support sustained, secure trade and strengthen cross-border connectivity between Pakistan and Afghanistan.