Direct Link to Chitral Established
June 16, 2025: Panjshir has officially connected to Chitral, Pakistan through a newly built strategic road running via Zibak district in Badakhshan. This is the first direct cross-border access from the province to Pakistan.
The 194-kilometer road is 10 meters wide and cuts through some of Afghanistan’s most difficult mountain terrain. The Ministry of Defense’s special forces in Panjshir completed the construction under the leadership of Governor Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim.
Governor Hakim praised the effort and said the new route ends Panjshir’s long-standing isolation. The road now links Panjshir with Nuristan, Takhar, Badakhshan, and onward to Chitral. He called it a “lifeline” for the region’s economy and mobility.
Trade, Tourism, and Transformation Through the Strategic Road
The governor said this route opens new markets for local traders. Transporting goods is now faster and safer. Farmers and shopkeepers have already started using the route for daily supplies.
Tourism has also increased sharply. Since early this year, more than 100,000 domestic and international tourists have visited Panjshir. Travelers find the scenic valleys and improved access appealing.
Local communities are seeing quick benefits. Hotels, transport services, and small businesses are expanding. The new road has also reduced travel times between remote villages and district centers.
Governor Hakim added that better infrastructure means more opportunity. “This road turns Panjshir into a center for regional trade,” he said. “It strengthens our role in connecting northeast Afghanistan to its neighbors.”
This strategic road is more than a development project—it is a symbol of change. It creates new pathways for trade, boosts tourism, and connects communities. As regional movement grows, Panjshir now stands at a new crossroad of possibility and progress.
