Ancient Khyber Pass, the Pak-Afghan future trade route under way

Khyber pass entry. (AN photo)

Khyber pass route (Peshawar — Torkham). (AN photo)

PESHAWAR: The historical Khyber Pass connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan is to get a revamping under the Peshawar-Torkham motorway project.
Perkash Lohano, the NHA general manager (planning), told Arab News that the World Bank-funded project includes the 47-kilometer Peshawar-Torkham motorway and also the overall development of Torkham border town in Khyber tribal district.
The four-lane motorway will have a service area, toll plaza, and filling station.
The time period for completion is two years but the overall project, including the development of Torkham roads linked to the motorway, will take four years, said the official.
“Besides four roads to be constructed in Torkham town, one modern truck stand and one bus stand will also be set up in the area. All this will be done under a proper master plan,” Lohano said.
The Khyber tribal district deputy commissioner, Islam Zeb, said the project is meant to enhance trade through Khyber Pass, which has traditionally been a strategic route.
According to an official document by NHA available with Arab News, the estimated cost of the project is $449 (MILLION???).
The document shows that the government Pakistan will provide 6.3 percent of the cost while the World Bank will provide 93.7 percent of the funds for the project.
The document adds that an estimated 7,817 vehicles would ply the proposed motorway every day. It adds that there are two components, one about the construction of the motorway and the second component is the development of the area.
The second component of the project includes technical assistance worth $7.0 (IS THAT 7, OR 70???) million and infrastructure investment worth $65 million. The technical assistance includes proposed designs and ideas for tourism development, the Khyber Pass Museum, preservation of Khyber Pass cultural heritage, industrial zones, etc.
Similarly, the infrastructure investment includes development of a service area, economic zones, a commercial area, truck terminal and warehouse facility, connecting roads and an urban development initiative in western greater Peshawar plan, an integrated bus terminal, cargo processing, traffic management and road safety.
Perkash said that after completion of the Peshawar-Torkham motorway, phase two would begin, by constructing the Torkham-Jalalabad (inside Afghanistan) and Jalalabad-Kabul motorways. The total length of the Peshawar-Kabul motorway is 281 kilometers. The other sections are Peshawar-Torkham (49km), Torkham-Jalalabad (76km) and Jalalabad-Kabul (155km).
The Khyber Pass is one of the world’s ancient routes, and known as the route of the invaders. The Persians, Mongols, Tartars, Moghuls and Afghans have all used this route during their expeditions between the 9th and 16th centuries.
Alexander the Great also sent his army to the plains of India through the Khyber Pass in 326 BC.
The route has much significance for trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan and onward through Central Asia.