Chapter: - 3 (Geography of Islamic

Republic of Pakistan).
Q/A:-
Q1) what do you know about the Geography of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

A) Pakistan came into being on August 14 th, 1947. Islamic republic of Pakistan is one of most important
country of Asia covering an area of 7, 96,096 sq.km. According to the present facts and figures its
population is about 195 million people.

Islam is the religion of about 97% of its popularity. Remaining 3% of the Christians, Hindus, Parsis and
Ahmadis and other minorities also live in this country.

It consists of five provinces: Punjab, Sindh, K.P.K, Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan (F.A.N.A). The Punjab
has highest population, while Baluchistan has the largest area.

Islamabad is the Capital of Pakistan.

Q2) Tell about the location of Pakistan.

A) Pakistan is located between 23.5 degree north to 37 degree north and 61 degree east to 77 degree
east as far as the latitudinal and longitudinal extents are concerned.

.) Geo-strategic Position:-

It is surrounded by various countries: - India in the east; China in the north and
Iran & Afghanistan in the west and Arabian Sea is located in the south of Pakistan.

Q3) Discuss the importance of location of Pakistan in relationship with other countries in the region.

A) Pakistan is surrounded by various countries. India in the east, China in the north and Iran and
Afghanistan in the west and Arabian Sea is located in the south of Pakistan.

1) Muslim Countries of Persian Gulf (In our South):-

Geographically, Pakistan is located in the South Asia. Persian Gulf is located

in the south-west of Pakistan. Persian Gulf has a geographic importance and countries like: - Iran,
Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates etc. are located along it.

These Muslim countries possess the wealth of oil, which has enhanced their importance. Pakistan has
cordial relations with these countries.

2) Afghanistan and Central Asian Countries (In our west):-

 Afghanistan and Central Asian countries are too far away from
coastal areas and they are land locked countries. These countries have to go through the land of
Pakistan to reach the sea. They are famous for their oil and gas fields. They are included among the
agriculturally high productive countries. Thus they are important in regard to our future needs.

The total population of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrghystan is
even less than Pakistan though they are 6 times bigger in area. If we join these countries with a motor
way, it will definitely open a door of fortune for them as well as for Pakistan.

3) China (In our north):-

China is situated in the north of northern mountains. Silk route connects these 2 countries.
These countries have warm relations, and their friendship is stronger than Himalayas. China has helped
Pakistan in the development of many projects including the defense projects.

4) India (In our east):-

To our east in India which is demographically second to China in the world. India has
emerged as an agricultural, industrial and military power in the region. Since Independence, India and
Pakistan have never felt themselves at ease with each other. Moreover, 4 wars have been fought
between these 2 countries until now. As a result, no progress could be made in the region. Both
countries have been spending the major part of their budget on their defense. These countries have
gone too far in the race of nuclear weapons and missile technology.

The dispute of Kashmir between these 2 countries is still pending in the U.N.O. Now once again they are
trying to resolve it peacefully. The earlier the peaceful solution, the better it is for both of us and for the
Kashmiri’s.

Q4) Write a note on Relief of Pakistan.

A) There are 4 kinds of relief features of Pakistan.

1) Mountains

2) Plains

3) Plateau

4) Valleys

Their detail is given below:-

1) Mountains:-

The elevated part of the land is called Mountain. It has a broad base, steep slope and narrow top.

The mountain ranges of Pakistan are in the following:-

A) Northern Mountain Range:-

The mountain range of the Himalayas in the north of Indo-Pakistan is stretched over
the west to east whose length is almost 2430 Km. It comprises of 4 major mountains ranges.

a) Sub-Himalayas or Siwalik Hills:-

The salient features of this mountain range are following:-

1) This mountain range is stretched over Eastern and Western branches of Southern Himalaya in the
east of the Indus River.

2) Its height is almost 900 meter.

3) This is also called Siwalik Hills and its famous mountains are Pabbi hills which are located in the South
Hazara and Murree.

4) Their western range is in Pakistan while most of it is located in India.

b) Lesser Himalayas Hills:-

The salient features of this mountain range are following:-

1) This mountain range has spread from east to west in the north of Siwalik Hills and their parallel.

2) Pir Punjal is the highest range of this mountain range.

3) The famous resorts of this mountainous range are Murree, Ayubia, and Nathia Gali etc.

4) The height of these peaks is from 1800 meters to 4600 meter.

c) The Great Himalaya Hills:-

The salient features of this mountain range are following:-

1) These mountains are located in the north of lesser Himalayas.

2) The average height of these mountains is 6500 meter.

3) These mountains are covered by thick snowy surface.

4) Kashmir valley is located between Pir Punjal to its South and great Himalayas to its North.

5) There are many valley glaciers in this range and they feed river Indus.

6) Nanga Parbat is the highest peak of this range, which is 8126 meters high.

d) Karakoram Range Hills:-

The salient features of this mountain range are following:-

1) Karakoram mountain ranges, in the north of Kohistan Himalayas have extended from east to west in
the Kashmir and Gilgit along with the border of China.

2) The average height of this range is 7000 meter.

3) The second highest peak of the world, Godwin Austin or K-2 whose height is 8611 meter also lies in
this mountain range.

4) Pakistan’s Karakoram highway to China passes through this range.

e) HinduKush Range:-

The salient features of this mountain range are following:-

1) These mountains are located in the north-west of Pakistan.

2) They extend from the north-east direction to south-west direction in the Afghanistan and these
mountains are mainly located there.

3) The highest peak of the range is Tirch Meer, which is 1690 meters high.

f) Swat and Chitral Mountains:-

A) The salient features of these mountain ranges are following:-

1) Swat and Chitral mountains are located in the south of HinduKush Range.

2) These mountains are 3000-5000 meters high and Lowari pass connects Chitral with Peshawar, and in
winter it remains closed due to heavy snowfall.

3) A tunnel has been constructed to ease the flow of traffic throughout the year between Chitral and
Peshawar.

4) River Swat, river Chitral, river Kunhar, and Punjkora are the main streams of these mountains.

.) Importance of Northern Mountains:-

The importance of these mountains is described in the following:-

1) These mountains are located in the north of Pakistan and they protect the northern border of
Pakistan.

2) These mountains intercept the winds blowing from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea and cause
rainfall and snowfall.

3) These peaks are covered with snow all over the year and are important source of water for our rivers.

4) Moreover, very expensive wood is also acquired from these mountains.

5) There are many resorts like Murree, Ayubia, Nathia Gali, Kaghan, Kalam, Lipa valley, Sakardu, Swat
valley, Neelum valley, Hunza, Chitral, Chilas and Gilgit where people go for recreation.

B) Central Mountains Range:-

These mountains are located in the center of Pakistan. They are neither located in
the west nor in the east of the country.

a) Salt Range:-

The salient features of these mountain ranges are following:-

1) In the south of potwar plateau and between river Jhelum and Indus and Indus is the Salt Range.

2) The average height of the range is 700 meters.

3) Sakesar, which is 1500 meters high, is the most beautiful place in this range.

4) Kallar Kahar Lake is also situated in this region.

b) The Solomon Mountains:-

The salient features of these mountain ranges are following:-

1) In the south of Waziristan hills, the Solomon Mountains are located on the west bank of river Indus
and extends to north- south direction to the center of Pakistan.

2) Takht-e-Sulaiman, which is 3443 feet in height, is the highest peak of this range.

3) River Bolan is the main stream in this region which falls in river Indus through Bolan Pass.

C) Western Mountain Ranges:-

a) Koh-e-Sufaid Range:-

The salient features of these mountain ranges are following:-

1) It extends in the south of the Kabul River Kurram northward and southward along with Pak-Afghan
border.

2) Some part of this range is located in Afghanistan and most of its part is in Pakistan.

3) Its average height is 3600 meter.

4) The Khyber Pass is located in this range which joins Pakistan and Afghanistan by Peshawar-Kabul road.

5) The city of Attock is located at the confluence of the Kabul and Indus rivers. The highest peak of this
range is Sikaram whose height is 4761 meters.
b) Waziristan Hills:-

The salient features of these mountainous ranges are following:-

1) These hills are located in the south of river Kurram on Pak-Afghan border in the north-south direction.

2) Gomal and Tochi passes are situated in these hills.

3) These hills rise to 10,000 feet.

4) In their east Kohat Hills are located.

c) Toba Kokar Hills:-

To the south of Waziristan hills, the Toba Kokar hills are located with Pak-Afghan
border and they extend up to Quetta.

d) Chaghi Hills:-

The salient features of these mountains ranges are following:-

1) These hills are located on the western Pak-Afghan border.

2) Pakistan tested atomic bombs on 28th May, 1998 in Chaghi Hills.

e) Ras Koh Range:-

These low hills are located in the South of Chaghi Hills.

2) Plateau:-

In Pakistan there 2 plateaus, which are as in the following:-

a) Potwar Plateau:-

The salient features of this plateau are following:-

1) Potwar Plateau is located in the north of Salt Range and between rivers Indus and Jhelum.

2) Its maximum height is up to 600 meters.

3) There are extensive reserves of limestone, coal and minerals oil in this area.

4) Pakistan fulfills a part of its need of mineral oil from this area. Potwar plateau has rugged terrain, and
Sawan is a famous river of the area.

b) Balochistan Plateau:-

The salient features of this plateau are following:-

1) This plateau is located in west of Sulaiman and Kirthar ranges.

2) Its maximum height is up to 900 meters.

3) In the north there are Toba Kokar range and Chaghi hills.

4) All the area is barren. In its west there is a sandy desert, which is called Balochistan desert.

2) Plains:-

A vast leveled part of land is called a plain.

We divide these plains in 4 parts:-

a) Upper Indus Plain:-

The salient features of this type of plain are following:-

1) This plain is situated in the south of Siwalik and Salt Range and in the east of Sulaiman Range.

2) The upper part is irrigated by 5 rivers, i.e. Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum that is why this part is
called Punjab meaning “Land of 5 rivers”.

3) These 5 rivers join the Indus River at Mithun Kot. Beyond this place the lower Indus plain starts.

4) Upper plain is higher towards the north and descend towards the south. Therefore, the rivers flow
from North to South.

5) Many canals have been dug from these rivers that irrigate this plain, and for its production, it is
considered the most fertile plains of the world. Wheat, rice, cotton, Maize, sugarcane and many
innumerable corps are grown here.

6) In upper plain rice is cultivated in north and cotton is cultivated in southern parts. Because of
production of wheat, sugarcane, rice, maize and cotton; Pakistan stands first in the Sub-continent.

7) The upper Indus Plain joins Thar Desert or Nara in south. In the west of upper Indus plain beyond
Jhelum River, Thar desert is located which is irrigated with canals.

8) In the west of river Indus there are Piedmont plains which are called Derajat. Dera Ismail Khan and
Dera Ghazi Khan are included in this area. The Peshawar plain is situated in North-West of the Kabul
River and extends from west to east. Kabul River joins Indus at Attock. This plain is also fertile.

Warsak dam has been built on Kabul River. Wheat, sugarcane, Maize is cultivated here.

b) Lower Indus Plain:-

The salient features of Lower Indus Plain are following:-

1) Below Mithun-Kot, the Indus River flows like a major river and falls into Arabian Sea. This area is
called lower Indus Plain.

2) This is also a fertile land but rainfall is quite low.

3) Like the upper plain many canals have been constructed in this area to irrigate it.

4) In its west is Kirthar range and in the east the Thar desert.

5) In lower part of canals from Sakkar, Ghulam Muhammad and Guddu barrage irrigate his plain.

6) In days of flood the water spreads over a vast area. In the lower Indus plain cotton, rice, sugarcane,
wheat, and Maize are cultivated.

c) Coastal Plain:-

The salient features of this plain are following:-

1) In the South of Pakistan along-with the coast of Arabian Sea is the coastal plain.

2) These plains are wider in the east and narrower towards the west due to the mountains.

3) The coast of Pakistan is very beautiful. The ports of Karachi, Bin Qasim, and Gawadar are located on
this coast.

4) If government develops this coast for tourism it will help in earning foreign exchange for the country.

d) Desert Plain:-

The salient features of this plain are following:-

1) Any area that receives less than 10 inches of rainfall is called desert.

2) Most part of Pakistan is arid due to the lack of rainfall. In Sindh Sagar Doab, Thar desert is located,
large area of it has been irrigated by canals. In the south of Bahawalnagar, the Cholistan starts, and join
Rajhistan desert in India.

3) Areas in southern Punjab, eastern Sindh, Southern K.P.K and Balochistan are arid and rainfall is less
that 250 mm a year. Many areas have been irrigated with canals and are highly productive.

3) Valley:-

The salient features of a Valley are following:-

1) Between the mountains and along the rivers, the valleys present a charming scene which attracts the
tourist from all over the world.
2) In summer when heat is unbearable in plains, people go to these areas to spend their summer
holidays. Kaghan, Swat, Leepa, Chitral, Hunza, Murree, Ayubia, Nathia Gali and Ziarat are enchanting
valleys.

3) Government can earn foreign exchange by promoting these areas, as tourist resorts than also
increase opportunities of employment for the local people.

Q) What do you know about the plains of Pakistan?

A) In Pakistan where there are many mountain ranges, the extensive and fertile plains are also there,
which have been made of fertile soil deposited by River Indus and its tributaries. These plains extend
from Himalayas to Arabian Sea.

Pakistan fulfills its agricultural needs from these plains and exports the excessive production.

Q) What is meant by Inter-Fluve (Do-Abb).

A) The land between 2 rivers is called Inter-Fluve (Do-Abb). The famous Inter-Fluve’s are following:-

1) Bari Doab

2) Rechna Doab.

3) Chej Doab.

4) Sindh Sagar Doab:-

Q) Tell about the Balochistan desert in detail.

A) In the West and the North-West of Makran range is the desert area of Balochistan. The annual rainfall
is less than 10 inches which occurs in winter season, it does not rain in summer season. The need of
water can be fulfilled by construction of small dams, which will promote agriculture in Balochistan.

There is very less population in this desert area of Balochistan. Economic activities are very limited. The
land is barren; a few nomads live in these areas. Camels are kept for carrying loads. Facilities are meager
and the condition of people is pitiable. In Balochistan irrigation is done by the means of Karez.