Geography of Pakistan and Its Importance

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 3

Geography of Pakistan and its

importance:
Geographical attributes of a state bring it both, some opportunities to avail and some risks
to evade. Pakistan availed the opportunities from its geography but could escape the risks it
posed. When a state learns how to exploit its geography to the best of its political and
strategic interests the study which comes in shape is called geostrategic and geopolitics.
Pakistan's geography where brought the country countless material benefits there its unwise
exploitation also invited the chaos in the region. Being the gateway to Central Asia and a
suitable route of access of World Powers into land-locked Afghanistan, the geography of
Pakistan suffered from the side effects of the 'New Great Game' and the 'Global War on
Terrorism'. But things are in transformation today. The Northern border with China where
gets ready to bring billion dollars investment in the wake of CPEC there the Western border
with Afghanistan is seeking TAPI Gas Pipeline. Similarly, the South Western boundary with
Iran will sooner or later be flexible for Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline. Pakistan's newly functional
port of Gwadar and the strategic importance it has concerning its proximity to the Gulf
States are some new aspects of Pakistan's geographical importance. We shall evaluate all
these aspects in this article after going through a brief description of country's geography.

Geography of Pakistan
Pakistan is a land of plains, mountain ranges, deserts and coastal belt. The country shares
its Eastern Border called 'Radcliffe Line' with India. On its Northern side, it has Sino-Pak
Border. Its Western fronts include the boundaries of 'Durand Line' with Afghanistan and
'Gold Smith Line' with Iran. The Arabian Sea has limited the South of the country. With the
total area of 9, 96096 km square, Pakistan emerges to be one of the most significant
geographical patches of Asia.

Traditional Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Traditionally, Pakistan's geographical importance has been defined in following ways;


1. Pakistan's North Western Border can be used as an access to the Central Asian Republics
rich in natural resources. It's a narrow strip of Afghan Territory between Tajikistan and
Pakistan which if used as a transit route can benefit all the countries in trade.

2. Pakistan's South Western Border with Iran is of great significance in a trade with this oil-
rich country.
3. Eastern Border of Pakistan with India has been quite less utilized than the potential it
carries. This can be a free trade route with India if the major conflicts between both the
states are resolved.
4. Northern Border of Pakistan with China provides another important route for access of
Chinese products in Pakistan.

Modern Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Though the geography of the country is same, the interpretations of interests linked with it
have improved a bit with the changing regional and international dynamics. This can be
evaluated under the following new heads:

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor


The $46 billion 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' scheme, which is being demonstrated as
a 'Game-Changer' is more than a network of roads to link Chinese city of Kashgar with the
Gulf States via Gwadar of Pakistan. CPEC is a complete package of energy projects and
trade opportunities for Pakistan. It is the most cherished fruit of Pakistan's geographical
importance the country ever had. However, some credit also goes to the foreign policy
makers of Pakistan who always kept into considerations the Sino-Pak mutual interests.

In the wake of CPEC, China is going to have the shortest route-access ever available to the
Middle Eastern, African, and European markets. For Pakistan, it might be a new gain but to
China, this access is a link to it long term strategic plan to take over US control in the said
regions.

Gwadar port is the nearest warm-water port to energy-rich Central Asian


Countries
Bought from Oman in 1958, Gwadar has been developed into a warm-water seaport which
now operated by a Chinese company named 'China Overseas Port Holding Company' under
a 43 years agreed lease. The port is the soul of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Being the
nearest deep-sea port to the landlocked Central Asian Republics, Gwadar is another
manifestation of Pakistan's geographical importance.

The Persian Gulf and Pars Gas Field


Pakistan's Gwadar Port provides access to the 'Gulf of Oman' which extends via 'Strait of
Hormuz' to form the 'Persian Gulf'. This gulf is surrounded by Iran, UAE, Saudi Araba,
Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. Access to the Persian Gulf via Gwadar port means access
to all these countries most of which are rich in energy resources. The Persian Gulf also has
the world's largest natural gas reservoir 'Pars Gas Field' shared by Iran and Qatar.
Pakistan's geographic importance increases due to its proximity to such mega-fields of
natural resources when the country has been suffering from energy starvation for long
periods of time.

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI)


The Asian Development Bank's funded project of TAPI is the name of a gas pipeline which
aims to supply natural gas from the Caspian Sea to the four countries mentioned above.
Pakistan due to its geographical nearness to this Central Asian Republic is seeking benefit
from the project. It also reflects the dependence of India on Pakistan for having access to
the natural resources of Central Asian Republics. The construction of the project
commenced in December 2015, and it will be functional by 2019.

Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline


Also known as the 'Peace Pipeline' the project is another fruit of Pakistan's geographic
importance. The pipeline project was formally inaugurated in 2013, but it's far from being
operational due to several controversies. Particularly the anti-Iran stance of the USA
influenced Pakistan to abandon the project. Things, however, have changed after the US-
Iran Nuclear Deal and Iran is no more under enormous sanctions. Pakistan at the same time
never utterly gave up the project. Good omens are apparent for the future of this project.

Pakistan shares Marine Border with Oman


Pakistan and Oman settled their maritime under an agreement in 2000; adhering to the
International Law of Sea. This sharing of a maritime boundary with the brotherly country of
Oman can interpret Pakistan's geographical importance in the sense of access to Oman's
undersea energy resources. The sea route can also be used to have access to the Persian
Gulf and its littoral states.

You might also like