Pakistan, Oct. 24 -- The Wakhan Corridor, a declared buffer zone since the 19th century, is one of the most isolated regions in Asia, rising between three and five thousand meters above sea level with narrow valleys, glaciers, and limited routes for navigation. The Wakhjir Pass connects it to China, while the Broghol and Irshad passes link it to Pakistan's Chitral and Hunza. It is minimally inhabited, roadless, and snowbound for most of the year, forming a natural barrier that reinforces its diplomatic buffer status.

For Afghanistan, the corridor is both a symbol of sovereignty and a potential economic lifeline. Kabul has long envisioned a direct route to China through the Wakhjir Pass, but high altitude, harsh weather, and security chal...