01 Administrative Map of Pakistan

Location and Neighbouring Countries

Pakistan is located in Southern Asia bordering the Arabian Sea, between India to the east and Iran and Afghanistan to the west and China to the north. Pakistan covers an area of 796,096 sq km.

Location of Pakistan

Pakistan is located north of the Tropic of Cancer ($23.5^{\circ }\mathrm{N}$), from latitude $24.35^{\circ }\mathrm{N}$ to $37.05^{\circ }\mathrm{N}$. It extends east of the Prime Meridian ($0^{\circ }$) from longitude $61^{\circ }\mathrm{E}$ to $78^{\circ }\mathrm{E}$.

• Dimensions: The country stretches 1,600 km from south to north and about 885 km from west to east.
• Total Area: $796,096{\mathrm{km}}^2$.
• Coastline: 1,046 km along the Arabian Sea to the south, which further extends into the Indian Ocean.

Pakistan is surrounded on three sides by neighboring countries:

• West (Iran): Shares a border that is 909 km long.
• Northwest (Afghanistan): A boundary of 2,252 km known as the Durand Line, demarcated in 1893.
• East (India): A long boundary line of about 2,912 km.
• North (China): A 600 km long boundary line passing through the Karakoram Mountains.
• Northwest Strip: A narrow strip of about 20 km, known as the Wakhan Border, separates Pakistan from Tajikistan.

(A) Significance of Geographical Location of Pakistan

Pakistan's geographic location acts as a bridge connecting the South Asian subcontinent with Central Asia. This geographic linkage plays an important role for trade, transit, energy, and connectivity routes which reflects on its economic, political, and social development.

Foreign Policy Of Pakistan→

Economic Importance

Pakistan enjoys a central location in South Asia. The warm water seaports of Karachi, Bin Qasim, and Gwadar provide transit trade services to the landlocked countries of Afghanistan and Central Asian States. Goods in transit are brought for temporary storage and re-export. These ports are linked to the most important trade routes:

1. North Atlantic Trade Route: Connects major economic regions particularly NE USA and NW Europe. It carries more than one-fourth of international trade (petroleum, chemicals, machinery). Pakistan utilizes this link for trade with the EU and USA.
2. Asia Pacific Trade Route: Connects to the east and south of Asia (Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong).

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) On April 20, 2015, Pakistan and China signed an agreement to commence work on a $46 billion project.

• Objective: To build an economic corridor promoting bilateral connectivity, investment, and trade.
• Route: Spans from the western Chinese city of Kashgar to Pakistan's Arabian Sea port of Gwadar.
• Vision: Aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative to gain access to markets in China, the Middle East, and Europe.

Land Transport Links

• Khyber Pass: Links northwest Pakistan with Afghanistan and Central Asian states.
• Khunjerab Pass / Karakoram Highway (KKH): Connects with China. Built on the traces of the ancient Silk Road. The KKH is 1,300 km long (887 km in Pakistan, 413 km in China).
• RCD Highway: Connects to Iran and Turkey in the west.
• Wagah Border: Road link in the east with India.

Tourism Potential Pakistan possesses a variety of natural and physical resources.

• Ancient Heritage: Indus Valley Civilization (Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa) and Gandhara-Buddhist civilization (Taxila).
• Mughal Architecture: Badshahi Mosque, Shalimar Gardens, Jahangir's Tomb (Lahore), Mahabat Khan Mosque (Peshawar).
• Mountain Ranges: The Karakoram (K2), Himalayas, and Hindukush range from 1,000 to 8,000 meters. Valleys like Chitral, Swat, Kaghan, and Hunza attract adventure tourism (climbing, trekking, skiing).

Recreation Tourism→

Geopolitical Importance

Pakistan's strategic importance is defined by:

• Proximity to two world powers: Russia and China.
• A 2,912 km boundary with India.
• The situation in Afghanistan to the west.

International Relations & Organizations

• United Nations (UN): Joined soon after independence.
• SEATO: Signed the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization in 1954.
• OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation): Pakistan played an important role in its formation in 1969.
• Relations with China: Established diplomatic relations in 1949. Pakistan supported China's permanent seat in the UN (achieved Oct 25, 1971).
• ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization): Established in 1985 (Headquarters: Tehran). Evolved from the RCD (Regional Cooperation for Development) founded in 1964 by Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey.
• SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation): Established in 1985 (Headquarters: Kathmandu). Objectives include promoting welfare, economic growth, and social progress in South Asia.

Pakistan And International Organizations→

Geographic and Economic Significance of the Provinces and Major cities

According to the constitution, there are three primary branches of the government:

1. Legislative: Bicameral parliament (National Assembly and Senate).
2. Executive: Prime Minister (aided by cabinet); President is the ceremonial head.
3. Judiciary: Interprets law and administers justice.
   • Superior Judiciary: Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court, High Courts.
   • Subordinate Judiciary: District Courts, Session Courts, Courts of Magistrate.

Constitutional Development→

Pakistan consists of the Federal Capital (Islamabad), four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan), and two autonomously administered states (Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan).

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital city located in the north at the edge of the Potohar Plateau and south of Margalla Hills.

• Population: 9th most populous city (> 2 million).
• Structure: Planned city divided into zones (Administrative, Diplomatic, Residential, etc.).
• Key Landmarks: President House, Parliament House, Supreme Court, Faisal Mosque (world's 5th largest mosque), Margalla National Park, Shakarparian.

Lahore

Lahore is the capital of Punjab, located on the east bank of the River Ravi.

• Historical Significance: Home to Shalimar Gardens, Jahangir's Tomb, Lahore Fort, and Minar-e-Pakistan (commemorating the Lahore Resolution of 1940).
• Economy: Industrial hub (textiles, engineering, chemicals). Agriculture includes wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton.
• Transport: Includes Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), Metro Bus, Orange-line, and Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Peshawar

Peshawar is the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). It lies at the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, near the Afghanistan border.

• Economy: Agro-based (sugarcane, tobacco, pulses) and mineral-based (mining). Industries include leather, ghee, and marble.
• Landmarks: Mohabat Khan Masjid and Islamia College Peshawar.

Quetta

Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan, located at an altitude of 1,680 metres.

• Connectivity: Bolan Pass connects to central areas; Khojak Pass connects to Chaman/Kandahar.
• Economy: Famous for fresh/dried fruits and handicrafts (mirror work, Pushtun rugs, Baluchi carpets).
• Tourism: Hanna Lake and Quaid-e-Azam Residency in Ziarat (famous for Juniper forests).
• Institutions: Geological Survey of Pakistan and seismic studies center.

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of Sindh and the most populous metropolitan city.

• Title: "City of Lights".
• Economy: Serves as the main commercial hub with two sea ports (Karachi and Bin Qasim). Major industries include iron, steel, textiles, and automobiles.
• Tourism: Beaches (Clifton), Mazar-e-Quaid, and shopping malls.

Gilgit-Baltistan

Formerly the 'Northern Areas', it borders Azad Kashmir, KPK, and China (Xinjiang).

• Geography: Home to five of the world's highest peaks (> 8,000m) including K2. Contains major glaciers: Siachen, Baltoro, and Batura.
• Tourism: Mountaineering, trekking, polo, and skiing.
• Capital: Gilgit.

Muzaffarabad

Muzaffarabad is the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

• Location: Confluence of Jhelum and Neelum rivers.
• Economy: Agriculture (maize, wheat) and handicrafts (walnut carving, Kashmiri shawls).
• Education: High literacy rate; University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
• Tourism: Pir Chinasi, Kohala Bridge, Kashmir Abshar.

(B) Environmental Hazards

Global Warming

Global warming is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth caused by the release of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide ($C{O}_2$), methane, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

• Temperature Rise: Since 1880, the average global temperature has risen about 0.8°C.
• IPCC Report (2013): Reported average temperature was 14.6°C (0.6°C warmer than the mid-20th century).

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the Earth warm by trapping heat from the sun. Gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone absorb and re-emit infrared radiation. Without this effect, Earth's average temperature would be roughly -20°C.

Causes of Global Warming:

(i) Natural causes

• Volcanoes: Ash, cinder, and smoke stay in the atmosphere, affecting air temperature.

Earthquakes:

Pakistan is tectonically located at the intersection of three plates: Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian.

Forest Fires:

Higher temperatures reduce water content in trees, causing fires.

• Case Study: May 2023 Canadian Wildfire. Triggered by lightning, it affected all 13 provinces, evacuated 155,856 people, and damaged 18.496 million hectares.

Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards include human-created issues like air/water pollution, toxic waste, and pesticides.

Human Factors

Agriculture

• Chemicals: Fertilizers and insecticides release $C{O}_2$ and methane.
• Run-off: Chemicals seep into groundwater causing water pollution.
• Land Use: Overgrazing leads to deforestation and soil erosion. Poor irrigation causes waterlogging and salinity.

Impact of the use of Fossil Fuels on the Environment

Burning coal, oil, and natural gas releases smoke, soot, and massive amounts of carbon dioxide.

• Smog: Lahore faces severe smog (fog + smoke) in winter, affecting health (asthma, allergies) and transport (Motorway closures).
• Pollution Ranking: In 2004, WHO ranked Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, and Rawalpindi among the most atmospherically polluted cities.

Effects of Global Warming

• Extreme Weather: Frequent heatwaves, flash floods, and thunderstorms.
• Case Study (Tsunami): In 2004, a Tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed >2 million people across 14 countries.
• Case Study (Murree Snow Storm): On 7 January 2022, a snowstorm in Murree dropped temperatures to -8°C. Traffic jams led to the death of 22 domestic tourists.

Factors affecting Global Warming and Climate Change

Floods:

Pakistan receives rainfall from Monsoons (summer) and Western Depressions (winter).

• Causes: Melting glaciers due to high summer temperatures, deforestation causing soil erosion, and heavy monsoon rains.
• 2010 Floods: On 22 July 2010, flash floods in KPK, Punjab, and Baluchistan killed 1,000 people and displaced 100,000.

Measures to check floods:

• Structural Measures: Flood protection walls, embankments, and levees.
• Afforestation: Planting trees (e.g., eucalyptus) along river banks.
• Dams: Rawal Dam (Korang River), Khanpur Dam (Haro River), Bhakar Dam (Sutlej).
• Water Accord 1991: Ensures fair distribution of Indus water among provinces.

Tropical Cyclones

Cyclones form in the Arabian Sea and reach Pakistan with monsoon winds.

• 2023 Cyclone Shaheen: Moved away from Sindh towards Oman.
• Warning Center: Located in Karachi.

Drought

A prolonged dry period caused by low rainfall and high temperatures.

• Vulnerable Areas: Thal and Cholistan (Punjab), Kharan (Baluchistan), Thar and Nara (Sindh) receive less than 250 mm of rain.

Role of Government Departments for the Awareness of Weather Change

Weather Forecast

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD): Provides weather/climate information and forecasts based on global/regional models.

Role of National Disaster Management Authority

The NDMA conducts hazard vulnerability and risk assessments (HVRAs) and manages the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).

The Disaster Management Cycle

NDMA coordinates emergency response at the federal level. Its purpose is to:

1. Facilitate multi-sectoral disaster risk reduction.
2. Promote education and public awareness.
3. Formulate national disaster policies.
4. Provide technical assistance to provincial governments.

Fresh Water and Ocean Water Pollution

The distribution of Fresh and Sea water on Earth

• Salt Water (Oceans): 97.5%
• Fresh Water: 2.5% (Of this, nearly 69% is locked in glaciers/icecaps; less than 1% is accessible for human use).

Reason for water pollution:

Contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, and aquifers by:

• Municipal Waste: Human waste (2 billion tons globally).
• Industrial Waste: Untreated runoff from heavy industry.
• Solid Waste: Plastics and glass dumping.

Solutions:

• Sewage Treatment: Do not discharge directly into rivers.
• Eco-friendly Products: Use biodegradable detergents.
• Agriculture: Limited use of fertilizers and pesticides.
• Waste Management: Recycle plastics; proper disposal of chemical cleaners.