GEO-STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF

PAKISTAN
PAKISTAN LOCATION

• Pakistan is located in South Asia and is at the junction of Central Asia and
Middle East,and west Asia which gives its location great significance. Pakistan's
total land border is 6,774 kilometres long and it borders four countries. Pakistan
borders India in the east, Afghanistan and Iran in the west and China is situated
at the northeast. While surrounded by land from three sides, the Arabian Sea lies
in the south. Here we will focus on Pakistan's international borders and some
interesting facts about them.
DEMOGRAPHICS

• Total area Pakistan is 796095 sq km.Pakistan's estimated population in 2017 was 200 million according
to the 2017 Census of Pakistan. Pakistan is the world's fifth-most-populous country and 36th largest
in terms of area. During 1950–2012, Pakistan's urban population expanded over sevenfold, while the
total population increased by over fourfold.
• Population: 212.2 million (2018)
• Literacy rate :59%
• Life expectancy: 66.95 years (2017)
• Population growth rate: 2.1% annual change (2018)

• Official languages: Urdu, English

• Pakistan-China
The border between Pakistan and China is nearly 523 kilometres long and is situated in
the northeast of Pakistan. A number of agreements took place between 1961 and 1965 in
which the borderline was determined between the two countries. The famous agreement
called the Sino-Pakistan Agreement or the Sino-Pakistan Frontier Agreement, was passed
in 1963 between Pakistan and China, according to which both countries agreed on the
border between them.
• Pakistan-India
The Radcliffe Line became the official border between Pakistan and India on August 17,
1947. As the border was established by Sir Cyril Radcliffe — the chairman of the Indo-
Pakistan Boundary Commission — therefore it was named after him. The Pakistan-India
border is almost 2,912 kilometres long.
• Pakistan and Tajikstan
• Pakistan is connected with central Asian state ,Tajikstan, via a small territory of
Afghanistan named as WAKHAN .
• Pakistan-Iran
The border between Pakistan and Iran is also called the Pakistan-Iran Barrier and
is 909 kilometres long.
• The Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is located south of Pakistan with a coastline of 1,046-kilometres.
Pakistan's Indus River drains out in the Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea also serves
as an important trade route between Pakistan and other countries, and Karachi is
the major port city for conducting trade.
• Pakistan-Afghanistan
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is called as the Durand Line and
is 2,430 kilometres long. The border came into existence in November 1893 after
an agreement between Afghanistan and the British Empire. The Durand Line got
its name from Sir Mortimer Durand, who was the foreign secretary of the British
India.
PAKISTAN AND CENTRAL ASIA
GEO STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

• Traditional Geographical Importance of Pakistan

• Traditionally, Pakistan’s geographical importance has been defined in following ways;
• 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.
• Pakistan’s South Western Border with Iran is of great significance in a trade with this oil-rich country.
• 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.
• 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(CPEC)
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.
• 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.