Gorno-Badakhshan is home to a number of distinct languages and dialects of the Pamir languages group. The Pamiri language speakers represented in Gorno-Badakshan are speakers of Shughni, Rushani, Wakhi, Ishkashimi, Sarikoli, Bartangi, Khufi, Yazgulyam, and Oroshani. Vanji, formerly spoken in the Vanj River valley, became extinct in the 19th century. There is a sizable population of Kyrgyz speakers in the Murghab district. Russian and Tajik are also widely spoken throughout Gorno-Badakhshan. The majority religion in Gorno-Badakhshan is Ismaili Shi'ite and adherence to the Aga Khan is widespread. Government Soviet era The First Secretary of the Gorno–Badakhshan Regional Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan was the highest position in the region during the Soviet era. List of first secretaries Since independence The Chairman of the Badakhshan Mountainous Autonomous Region is the head of the regional government. They are appointed by the President of Tajikistan. List of chairmen Transport Only two easily navigable roads connect Gorno-Badakhshan to the outside world, Khorog–Osh and Khorog–Dushanbe, both of which are segments of the Pamir Highway. A third road from Khorog to Tashkurgan in China through the Kulma Pass is very rough. Gorno-Badakhshan is separated from the Pakistani territories of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan by the narrow, but nearly impassable, Wakhan Corridor. Another road leads from Khorog to Wakhan and across the Afghan border. Energy In 2019, the European Union and Germany, in coordination with Tajikistan, committed 37 million euros to finance the construction of an 11 MW run-of-the-river hydro power plant along the Shokhdara river. The project is intended to also supply energy to Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Sports Khorog is the highest location where bandy is played. Notable individuals Qimmatgul Aliberdiyeva Savsan Bandishoeva Nobovar Chanorov Nazarsho Dodkhudoev Akbarsho Iskandrov Davlat Khudonazarov Mirsaid Mirshakar Muboraksho Mirzoshoyev Qozidavlat Qoimdodov Nuqra Rahmatova Shodi Shabdolov Sabzajon Shoismoilova Shirinsho Shotemur Khudoyor Yusufbekov Gurminj Zavkibekov See also Extreme points of Tajikistan Tajik National Park Notes References Further reading External links Map of the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan State agency on antiexclusive politics and support of business at Government of Republic of Tadjikistan Regions of Tajikistan States and territories established in 1925 1925 establishments in the Soviet Union Autonomous regions Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic Autonomous oblasts of the Soviet Union