Why Chitral is Geo-Startegically Imporant for Pakistan?

Yesterday moring, a large number of TTP fighters infiltrated the Pak Afghan border from Nuristan and Kunar province of Afghanistan and attacked two military check posts in Chitral district Pakistan army's effective response foiled their attack, which resulted in heavily casualties on TTP. 

 

This is seen as one of the first & major terror attacks in the Chitral district by TTP. Lets discuss the geo-strategic importance of Chitral and why TTP have suddenly decided to shift their activities in this peaceful region. Chitral is the largest district of #KhyberPakhtunkhwa, which is home to a variety of natural minerals. Chitral district has its own strategic importance because it borders Afghanistan, especially the Wakhan Corridor. 

 

This makes it easy for Pakistan to access Tajikistan via the Wakhan corridor. Chitral district and the rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa province will see extensive development projects under the #China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The major projects of CPEC in Chitral include mineral zone, special economic zone, and Gilgit-Shandur-Chitral-Chakdara highway. These projects are expected to provide jobs to the local people of Chitral Valley. Among the mineral zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chitral will extract antimony as it is a part of CPEC. CPEC projects will bring economic prosperity to Chitral. 

 

There are three CPEC mega projects for Chitral District, which include antimony mining projects, Chitral CPEC link road, and Chitral Economic Zone. Chitral CPEC link road will be constructed to connect Gilgit and Chakdara via Shandur and Chitral. This link road will connect both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, and it will save time compared to the traditional Karakoram Highway. This link road will help both regions to have direct trade, especially with Chitral district.  Chitral has a strategic location that connects Afghanistan in the west, Tajikistan, in the north via Wakhan Corridor, Gilgit Baltistan in the east and Upper Dir district in the south.  

This economic factor linked with Chitral is the only reason TTP has decided to target it by a major terror attack. Deteriorating security situation in Chitral will not just affect CPEC project but will also affect the security of bordering areas of China and Tajikistan.