Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

DUSHANBE, Nov 3 (Reuters) - The Central Asian state of Tajikistan opened a bridge on Sunday that provides a new route for vehicles carrying humanitarian aid and goods in and out of war-ravaged Afghanistan. The bridge, opened by Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov and Prince Aga Khan IV, leader of Shi'ite Ismaili Muslims, is the first vehicle bridge spanning the Pyandzh river between the countries. Vehicles can now be driven from the Afghan capital Kabul through north-eastern Afghanistan to Khorog in Tajikistan, then on to Kyrgyzstan and Russia. 'The opening of this new bridge is a significant step forward,' the prince, who represents more than 20 million Ismailis around the world, told Reuters in Dushanbe on Saturday, before leaving for the bridge.