Lecture - Geo Strategic Importance of Pakistan

Geo-Strategic Importance of Pakistan:
Introduction
Geographical Location of Pakistan:
Geostrategic Significance of Pakistan:
1 - Proximity of great powers
2- Gateway to central Asia- oil and energy game
3- Significance as a transit economy
4 - Significance as an important link in the chain of Muslim countries
5- Only Muslim country having nuclear capability
6-Natural Resources:
7-Importance of Gwadar Port:
8-War against Terrorism:
Conclusions/ Analysis
Introduction:
Pakistan is located at a region which has great political, economic and strategic location. It has
been hub of activities of great powers for last 20 years. It has witnessed intervention of three
great powers i.e Britain, USSR, and USA. Its significance was further enhanced during cold war
when it becomes ally of US policy of containment of USSR and now the post-cold war era has
witnessed its significance particularly after the events of 9/11.
“Geostrategic means the importance of a country or a region as by virtue of its geographical

location.” The geographical significance of a country plays a pivotal role in the world politics for
that country. It marks that how critically beneficial is the country to the other countries in social,
economic and political respects.
Geographical Location of Pakistan:
Pakistan is located in South East Asia. It lies between 24.35 and 37.05 Northern latitude and
between 61 and 75.05 Eastern longitude. Total area is 796096 sq. km. In geographical terms, it is
surrounded by four countries; Afghanistan, Iran, India and China, each of which is a major
player in international politics.
To Pakistan's east is India, which has a 2,912 km border with Pakistan. To its west is Iran, which
has a 909 km border with Pakistan. To Pakistan's northwest lies Afghanistan, with a shared
border of 2,430 km. China is towards the northeast and has a 523 km border with Pakistan
Pakistan significance is enhanced as it lies near the Persian Gulf where 65% of the world’s oil is
produced.
Geostrategic Importance of Pakistan:
“While history has been unkind to Pakistan, its geography has been its greatest benefit. It has
resources rich area in the northwest, people rich in the North East.” By Stephen Cohn
1. Proximity of Great Powers:
Pakistan is located at the junction of great powers. In its neighbor’s one world power Russia and
the other emerging power china lies. Any alliance among world powers enhances its
significance. This factor has been utilized by Pakistan after 9/11. Security and business are two
main US interests in the region while Pakistan is playing a front-line role in the war against
terrorism. Apart from this US interest in the region to contain the growing china, nuclear Iran,
terrorist Afghanistan and to benefit from the market of India.
Today the political scenario of the region is tinged with preemption policy and US invasion of Iraq
and Afghanistan. Iran’s nuclear program, India’s geopolitical muscles (new strategic deal with US) to
gain hegemony and to counter the rise of china, which has earned all the qualities to change unipolar
world into bipolar world? In all these issues, Pakistan is directly or indirectly involved especially
after Al-Qaeda operations. The American think tank has repeatedly accepted that war
against terrorism could never be won without the help of Pakistan. Pakistan has rigorously
fought and an ongoing operation in Waziristan is also targeting the suspected Taliban in the
bordering area.
2. Gateway to Central Asia- (Oil and energy game):
Central Asia is the center stage of new Great games. Quest for resources- oil and energy
resources-holds the central point in their policies towards the central Asia. After USSR decline, new
quest started which is manifested in their politics towards acquiring oil and gas. Pakistan is located
very close to the oil rich Middle Eastern countries. The belt starts from Iran and is extended to the
southern tip of Arabian Peninsula with Saudi Arabia as the chief exporter of the oil in the world.
Thus, Pakistan can play an influential role in the shipment of oil. Iran is struggling to export its
surplus gas and oil to eastern countries. Qatar, Pakistan and Turkmenistan pipeline projects also
highlight the country’s pivotal position.
In the energy scarce world, Pakistan is located in the hub of energy rich countries i-e Iran and
Afghanistan: both are energy abundant while India and china are lacking. Geostrategic
significance of the country increases manifolds while under the fact that China finds short way to
Indian Ocean and Arabian sea through Karakoram highway,
3. Significance as a Transit Economy:
Pakistan has the potential to develop transit economy on account of its strategic location. Land
locked Afghanistan now is at the phase of reconstruction. It is linked to outside world mainly
through Pakistan. China with its fastest economy growth rate of 9% (now slowed down to 7.3%
yet still appreciably significant) is developing southern provinces because its own part is 4500
km away from Sinkiang but Gwadar is 2500 km away.
Moreover, Pakistan offers Central Asian regions the shortest route of 2600 km as compared to
Iran 4500 km or Turkey 5000 km. Gwadar port with its deep waters attracts the trade ships from
China, CAR and South East Asian countries, also the coastal belt of Baluchistan can provide
outlet to china’s western provinces to have access to middles eastern markets with the
development of coastal highways and motorways.
4. Important Link in the Chain of Muslim Countries:
If we look at the map of Muslim countries, Pakistan occupies a central location. Towards west of
Iran, china extends to North Africa. Thus, it can actively participate in the activities of Muslim
world-economic development, transport of resources and above all combat terrorism.
5. Only Muslim Country with Nuclear Capability:
In the region Pakistan is the only Muslim country having nuclear capability which has great
influence on the political, socio-economic activities in the region and the maintenance of
status-quo in the region.
6. Natural Resources:
It is believed that they most vital factor which can be helpful for any country is the natural
resources. And Pakistan is a world’s populous country due to its natural resources. Pakistan has
the world’s fifth largest gold mine in Baluchistan, world’s second largest salt mine in Punjab and
world’s sixth coal mine also in Punjab. Pakistan has three of the biggest mountains of the world.
It is said that these mountain ranges serve us safe from Siberia winds. The huge glaciers supply
water in the rivers. Our huge market makes it an avid hub for export of the commodities by our
neighbors.
7. Importance of Gwadar Port:
History shows that Russia had exhibited its curiosity to attain warm water seaport and to counter
the growing supremacy of us in the region and on the globe as well. They wanted to have a port
which will help them directly counter the intrusion of any state to capture or create threat to
Russia. For this the two main parts of this South Asian region, the Gwadar port and the
Chahbahar port of Iran were the vital ones. Being the 3rd largest country by area on the globe
and 2nd in Asia, China does not have any hot water port which it can use for its trade throughout
the year to multiply its economy. For this China is looking very keenly to operationalize the
Gwadar port to full extent which will help in its trade and economy throughout the year.
8. War against Terrorism:

The world is facing a huge problem of terrorism. Pakistan is a route for transportation and a
front-line state against terrorism. Afghanistan which is now the focus of world’s attention is
generally regarded as the breeding ground of all the international terrorism. Now, the US and
NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan are well aware that they are heavily dependent on Pakistan
for winning war in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has other neighbors also such as Iran, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, but Pakistan
provides the easiest route for the provision of NATO Supplies to the forces in Afghanistan. The
American think tank has repeatedly accepted that war against terrorism could never be won
without the help of Pakistan. Pakistan has rigorously fought and an ongoing operation in
Waziristan is also targeting the suspected Taliban in the bordering area.
Conclusion /Analysis:
Pakistan is a junction of south Asia, west Asia and central Asia; a way from resource efficient
countries to resource deficient countries. The world is facing energy crises and terrorism.
Pakistan is a route for transportation and a front-line state against terrorism. Moreover, Pakistan
has been traditionally ally of emerging economic giant; china. So, in the vague of any change in
world politics, Pakistan’s geo-strategic significance would further be enhanced.
There is no doubt that Pakistan has a great importance in the world. But it is the fact that
Pakistan is a developing country and has many issues like energy crises, terrorism etc. The
famous American Scholar Stephen Cohen while remonstrating on the thought patter of most of
the people of Pakistan, point out that “The establishment is prone to thinking that someone will
always come to Pakistan’s rescue because of its location.” This kind of thinking must be shed
away and we have to learn to rely on our own resources which proliferate in Pakistan.

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Geo-Strategic Importance of Pakistan:

Geographical Location of Pakistan:

Geostrategic Significance of Pakistan:

1 - Proximity of great powers

2- Gateway to central Asia- oil and energy game

3- Significance as a transit economy

4 - Significance as an important link in the chain of Muslim countries

5- Only Muslim country having nuclear capability

7-Importance of Gwadar Port:

8-War against Terrorism:

“Geostrategic means the importance of a country or a region as by virtue of its geographical

Geographical Location of Pakistan:

Geostrategic Importance of Pakistan:

1. Proximity of Great Powers:

2. Gateway to Central Asia- (Oil and energy game):

3. Significance as a Transit Economy:

5. Only Muslim Country with Nuclear Capability:

7. Importance of Gwadar Port:

8. War against Terrorism:

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