Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to escalate with each passing day. Now, reports suggest that Pakistan’s defense circles are preparing to seize control of the Wakhan Corridor, often referred to as Afghanistan’s “chicken neck.” Qamar Cheema, Pakistani defense analyst, has shared this information. Some social media posts also claim that Pakistan has already initiated actions to take over the Wakhan Corridor. But what makes the Wakhan Corridor so significant, and is Pakistan capable of such a move?Amid reports of Pakistan seizing control of the Wakhan Corridor, the Badakhshan Police Command in Afghanistan, on the other hand, has denied any reports of Pakistan’s presence in Wakhan. In a report by Khorasan Diary, a spokesperson for the Badakhshan Police Command stated, “We have no reports of Pakistan’s presence or any claims of them capturing the Wakhan Corridor.” They dismissed the social media rumors about a Pakistani military attack on Wakhan as baseless.Home
Islamabad: Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continue to escalate with each passing day. Now, reports suggest that Pakistan’s defense circles are preparing to seize control of the Wakhan Corridor, often referred to as Afghanistan’s “chicken neck.” Qamar Cheema, Pakistani defense analyst, has shared this information. Some social media posts also claim that Pakistan has already initiated actions to take over the Wakhan Corridor. But what makes the Wakhan Corridor so significant, and is Pakistan capable of such a move?
Amid reports of Pakistan seizing control of the Wakhan Corridor, the Badakhshan Police Command in Afghanistan, on the other hand, has denied any reports of Pakistan’s presence in Wakhan. In a report by Khorasan Diary, a spokesperson for the Badakhshan Police Command stated, “We have no reports of Pakistan’s presence or any claims of them capturing the Wakhan Corridor.” They dismissed the social media rumors about a Pakistani military attack on Wakhan as baseless.
Why is the Wakhan Corridor Important?
Qamar Cheema has called the Shehbaz Sharif- led Pakistani government’s attempt to take control of the Wakhan Corridor as a challenging task. Explaining its significance, Cheema states that this narrow strip provides Afghanistan with direct access to China. However, if Pakistan were to take control of the corridor, it would gain direct access to Tajikistan. Currently, Afghanistan acts as a barrier, cutting off Pakistan’s connection with Central Asia.Cheena, while talking about possibility of taking control over Wakhan, said that while Pakistan is a big country, it would need to secure China’s support for such an endeavor. Uyghur militants are linked to this region, but China’s agreement on the matter seems unlikely.
Moreover, if Pakistan attempts this, it could face international pressure. The biggest challenge is that such an action could provoke the Taliban to open a new front against Pakistan. Just last week, the Taliban crossed the border and attacked Pakistani military posts.
