THIS is apropos the article ‘An alternate route for CPEC’ (Aug 23). The arguments presented by the writer for an alternative route are parochial and superficial.

In his words, “CPEC essentially depends on a single land route through a perilous highway carved through the Indus gorge. Any disruption caused by natural or man-made disasters will have grave implications for the entire project with a domino effect disturbing economic activities at both ends.”

To this point, the writer is correct in his analysis. But he lost rationality by proposing the route (Yarkand to Skardu through Mustagh pass and then to Neelum valley through Shuntar pass) which lies in the same geographical and climate zone.

How can a route on one side of the mountains be disruptive and problematic and safe on the other side, keeping in view the nature and terrain of regional mountains? The logic simply seems odd.

The writer also proposes: “this route then be linked to the Neelum valley through Shuntar pass thus bypassing Chilas and Indus Kohistan for passage through a relatively peaceful area.” Here again the writer’s argument is not valid.

Historical and empirical evidence shows that Karakoram Highway in Chilas and Kohistan has remained safer than any other highway in the country. Since its inception there is no single incident of large-scale robbery, ransom and kidnapping on KKH in general and the regions like Chilas and Indus Kohistan (which the writer wants to bypass for peace), in particular.

Mujib Ur RehmanTangiri

Diamer, Gilgit Baltistan

Published in Dawn September 18th, 2016