Pakistan, May 16 -- Despite holding immense reserves of hydrocarbons and rare earth elements, the landlocked states of Central Asia face severe constraints in global market integration. Pakistan and Afghanistan can offer the critical geographic bridge to overcome this isolation. They function as the natural overland conduit connecting Central Asian energy and minerals to the expanding economies of South and East Asia. As the world's leading energy consumer and fastest-growing major economy, respectively, China and India face persistent domestic energy deficits. Pakistan and Afghanistan are uniquely positioned at the crossroads of this supply-and-demand dynamic. Establishing regional transit corridors-encompassing pipelines, highways, and ...