The road network of Afghanistan now connects railheads in Kushka, Turkmenistan, and Termez, Uzbekistan, with those at Chaman and Peshawar, Pak., respectively, and provides for direct overland transit between the nations to the north and the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent. The most important Afghan highways are those connecting Kabul with Shir Khan, on the northern border, and with Peshawar. Other paved roads link Qandahar, Herat, and Mazar-e Sharif with Kabul and with frontier towns of Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Despite the rapid development of motor transport, camels and donkeys are still commonly used as draft animals. In the countryside many people have not abandoned their cherished horses, which are important for prestige.
Civil aviation has increased in importance. Almost all provincial centres have at least a seasonally operable airport, while there are international airports at Kabul and Qandahar. ( V.P.P.)
