Oops, my bad, apparently there is a tiny 40 mile strip together, but it’s mainly under the control of the Pakis. At least that’s what my Chinese GM just told me...;)
China may take over control of that area if the mineral rights can be secured...
I saw a documentary on that area of Afghanistan. Part of the border with China is a valley which indeed is very remote with a few tribal people living there. As you say the locals pretty much control the area as I’m sure government officials rarely visit the area because it is in so remote of an area.