Geographical Importance of Pakistan:

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.

Pakistan is located in South Asia and is at the junction of Central Asia and Middle East, which gives its
location great significance. Pakistan's total land border is 6,774 kilometers 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.

Following are the Pakistan's international borders and some interesting facts about them:

1. Pakistan-China

The border between Pakistan and China is nearly 523 kilometers 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.

2. 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 kilometers long. When
discussing Indo-Pak border, Wagah is an important place for both countries. It is the only road border
crossing between India and Pakistan, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar
and Lahore. Wagah is also famous for 'the lowering of the flags' ceremony which is held there every
evening, and is witnessed by a large crowd from both the nations. Wagah is actually a village from which
the Radcliffe line was drawn separating India and Pakistan.
 3. Pakistan-Afghanistan;

The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is called as the Durand Line and is 2,430 kilometers 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. He was appointed by the government of British India in Afghanistan to resolve
numerous issues — settling the border issue was one of them.

4. Pakistan-Iran:

The border between Pakistan and Iran is also called the Pakistan-Iran Barrier, ‘Gold Smith Line’ and is
909 kilometers long. A concrete wall (three feet thick and 10 feet high) is currently under construction
and would replace the bordering fence. The wall holds a controversial position as the people of
Baluchistan oppose its construction as many of their lands are situated at the Pakistan-Iran border and
the wall would create hindrances for them.

5. 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.

.STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE:

a) 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 pre-emption 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.

b) Gateway to central Asia-(oil and energy game):

Central Asia is the center stage of new Great games. Western quest for resources- oil and energy
resources in the central Asia. After USSR decline, new quest started which is as manifested by
politics of oil. Pakistan is located very close to the oil rich Middle Eastern countries. The belt started
from Iran and extended to Saudi Arabia. Thus, Pakistan can influence shipment of oil. Iran is
struggling to export its surplus gas and oil to eastern countries, Qatar, Pakistan and Turkmenistan
pipeline projects highlight the 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. China finds way to Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea through Karakoram highway,

c) Significance as a Transit economy:

Pakistan has the potential to develop transit economy on account is its strategic location, land
locked Afghanistan now at the phase of reconstruction finds its ways through Pakistan. China with
its fastest economy growth rate of 9% us 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 of 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.

d) 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.

e) Only Muslim country with nuclear capability:

In the South Asia 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.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The $62 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.
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
accesses 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 Arabia, 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 investment agreement for the development of the TAPI project was signed by
the four countries in February, 2016. The ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the
Afghanistan-Pakistan section of the pipeline was held in February 2018. Designed to serve for 30
years, the pipeline is expected to commence operations in 2021 but due to instability in Afghanistan
region make it difficult to functional. It is expected to transport 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of
natural gas a year.

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 Persia Gulf and its littoral states.