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Revised Stratigraphic Setup and Mineral Deposits of Kirthar Basin (Lower Indus
Basin), Pakistan

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Lasbela, U. J.Sci. Techl., vol.VI , pp.54-84, 2017 ISSN 2306-8256

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Revised Stratigraphic Setup and Mineral Deposits of Kirthar Basin
(Lower Indus Basin), Pakistan
Muhammad Sadiq Malkani1*, Mureed Hussain Khosa2, Muhammad Imran Alyani3, Nasir Somro3, Tehseen
Zafar4, Jawad Arif5, Muhammad Zahid Aleem2
1
Geological Survey of Pakistan, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
2
Department of Marine Geology, Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences, Uthal, Balochistan, Pakistan.
3
Geological Survey of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan.
4
Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.
5
Geological Survey of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT:-The Kirthar Basin is subdivided into Western Kirthar (Kirthar Range and westward upto
Western Indus Suture) under Balochistan Province while Eastern Kirthar (Laki Range and eastward up to Nagar Parker
Igneous Complex of Indo-Pak Shield). Western Indus Suture consists of ophiolitic, igneous and associated sedimentary
and metamorphic rocks. So ophiolite related minerals like chromite, asbestos, magnesite, manganese, iron, barite,
fluorite, etc are found. The Western Kirthar Basin under the territory of Balochistan Province consists of exposed
Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. This area includes mineral commodities like coal, iron, fluorite, sulphur,
building stones, decorative stones, marble, celestite, etc. The Eastern Kirthar Basin under the territory of Sindh
Province consists of exposed Late Cretaceous and whole Cenozoic sedimentary rocks. This area hosts coal, iron,
laterite, ochre, celestite, placer tungston/sheelite, gold and other heavy mineral concentrates (magnetite, ilmenite,
garnet, epidote, zircon, tourmaline, amphibole/hornblende and tremolite, apatite, pyroxene, etc), alum from pyritiferous
shales, trona (source of Na), potash slats associated with rock salt deposits and lakes, gypsum, china clay, fuller’s earth,
fire clay, cement industry raw materials, disseminated pyrite in carbonaceous shale and coal; abrasives type red ochre,
coal, grity Pab sandstone, silica sands, radioactive mineral/uranium resources, construction stone, gemstone like agate
and chalcedony, chert, flint and jasper from placer deposits. The Nagar Parker Igneous complex consists of
varicoloured igneous granite, other acidic and basic, and with some metamorphic rocks. This area host the significant
construction/dimension stone resources like varicoloured granite and other basic and igneous rocks, gold and
radioactive minerals like uranium, thorium etc can be explored), china clay, orthoclase feldspar and jewelry and
gemstones like agate, chert, chalcedony, etc.
The Kirthar Basin has vast natural resources like solar, air/wind, terrestrial water, marine water/ocean, tides,
waves, current, land, biomass, etc. It is our urgent need to convert the non conventional energy resources into
conventional energy resources. Kirthar land is receiving huge amount of energy from sun. The coastal areas have high
potential of wind energy. Gravitational force of moon produces tidal energy in sea which can be converted in energy by
the construction of dams which can store water at high tides and release water at low tides. Kirthar Basin has a long sea
shore from Nagar Parker to west of Karachi. Energy from sea waves can also be benefited by stable and non stable
plate’s movements. Sindh also has a large waste biomass.
Keywords: Mineral Potential, Kirthar Foldbelt, Western Kirthar Foldbelt, Laki Foldbelt, Eastern Kirthar Foldbelt,

base; Malkani et al. (2016, Malkani and

INTRODUCTION
From independence to so far many
geologists presented revised and updated data
and papers on stratigraphy of Pakistan (Shah
1977, Fatmi 1977, Cheema et al., 1977, Kazmi
and Abbasi 2008, Shah 2009, Malkani and
Mahmood 2016a, 2017a) and mineral deposits
of Pakistan (Heron 1950, Heron and
Crookshank 1954, Ahmad 1969, Gauher 1969,
Ahmad and Siddiqui 1992, Kazmi and Abbas
2001,Malkani and Mahmood 2016b on Pakistan
*Corresponding author: malkanims@yahool.com
Mahmood 2017a on provinces wise). Further
senior author with the help of coauthors tried to
present reports for different provinces
(federation units) and also basins because most
of the mineral resources are the title of
federation units. Recently reports on mineral
resources were presented like on Sindh Province
(Malkani et al., 2017), mineral resources of
North and South Punjab (Malkani et al., 2017),
North and South KPK and FATA (Malkani et
al., 2017), Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan
(Malkani et al., 2017), and all provinces in one
report (Malkani and Mahmood 2017a). In this

54
way recently revised stratigraphy and mineral
resources of Sulaiman Basin (Malkani 2010;
Malkani et al., 2017), Kirthar Basin (Malkani et
al. 2017) and Balochistan Basin (Malkani et al.
2017) were also presented for convenience of
researcher, mine owners, planners, etc. Akhtar
et al. (2012) prepared the Geological Map of
Sindh Province (including only Eastern Kirthar
and Nagar Parker) with some description of
stratigraphic units. Here the revised
staratigraphy and mineral resources of Western
and Eastern Kirthar basins are presented in
brief. Previously the Kirthar Basin was ignored
and also received little attention but the present
authors filled the missing link. This report is
handy, comprehensive reviewed, easy access
and easy to read for the researcher, mine owners
and planners. This report will add insights on
revised stratigraphy and mineral resources of
Western and Eastern Kirthar Basin.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The materials belong to compiled data
from previous work and also new field data
collected by Malkani (the principal author)
during many field seasons and vast field work in
Kirthar Basin and also adjoining other basins of
Pakistan (Fig.1,2) about revised stratigraphy,
paleontology, mineral commodities, lithology,
structure, geological history,
paleobiogeography, geodynamics/tectonics, etc.
The methods applied here are many discipline
of purely geological description.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Revised Stratigraphy of Kirthar Basin
(Lower Indus Basin), Pakistan
Kirthar Basin shows mostly the same
lithological units like Sulaiman Basin during
Mesozoic but vary in Cenozoic strata. Further
the Cenozoic strata of Western Kirthar Basin
(Quetta-Mastung-Kalat-Khuzdar and Lasbela
areas of Balochistan) are also slightly different
than Eastern Kirtan Basin (all areas of Sindh
province).
Revised Stratigraphy of Western Kirthar Basin
(Kirthar Range and Surroundings),
Balochistan Province
Western Kirthar Basin is located in the
western part of Kirthar Basin occupied by
Kirthar Range and surrounding areas. On the
55
west it is bounded by southern part (Khuzdar-
Lasbela) of Western Indus Suture Belt and then
Makran Range of Balochistan Basin, on the east
by Eastern Kirthar Basin, on the south by Indo-
Pak Ocean and on the north by Sulaiman Basin.
Western Kirthar Basin represents exposed
Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks, however in
subsurface the Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks
may be found. The exposed stratigraphic
sequences in the Western Kirthar basin under
the Balochistan Province are being described as
follows.
Triassic Khanozai Group
It is named by Fatmi et al. (1986) for
Gwal and Wulgai formations exposed in the
Western Indus Suture (Shirinab area of Mastung
and Kalat, Gwal-Khanozai, Zhob) and at the
contact of Sulaiman with Balochistan basins.
Gwal Formation: Gwal named by Anwar et al.
(1991) after Gwal village. It consists of
variegated shale and thin bedded limestone and
marl with rare mafic intrusion and diabase flow.
On the basis of ammonites including
Meekoceras, Owenites, Anakashmirites,
Anasibirites, Durgaites, Hemiprionites, etc the
age is Early Triassic (Late-Middle Scythian). It
is exposed in Khanozai, Zhob, Quetta, Shirinab
(Mastung, Kalat), etc. It is 350 m thick in the
Trakai-Gwal section. It contains exotic blocks
of Permian limestone containing brachiopods,
corals etc. Its lower contact is not exposed and
upper contact with Wulgai is sharp and
conformable with fossiliferous conglomeratic
and dense limestone.
Wulgai Formation: Wulgai is named
by Williams 1959 after Wulgai village for
variegated shale with medium bedded limestone
of Middle to Late Triassic age exposed in the
Western Indus Suture regions like Shirinab area
of Mastung and Kalat, Khanozai, Zhob, etc. It is
180 m thick in the Trakai-Gwal section. Its
lower contact with Gwal is sharp with
fossiliferous conglomeratic and dense limestone
and upper contact with Spingwar Formation
seems to be conformable. The fossils like
radiolarian, conodonts and some Spiriferinid
brachiopods in basal limestone indicates Middle
Triassic age and Holobia, Daonella (Bivalves)
and ammonites like Cladescites, Jovites,
Arietoceltites, Anatomites, Juvavites, Arcetes
indicating Late Triassic.
 Chronostratigraphy
Age Eastern&Western (Lower Indus) Sulaiman (Middle Indus) Kohat – Potwar (Upper Indus)
Chronostratigraphy
Kirthar
Recent Alluvium,Eolian,Colluv. Alluvium A l l u v i um
Holocene Sakhi Sarwar Sakhi Sarwar Soan
Pleistocene Dada Dada L e i
…… …… ……
Pliocene Chaudhwan Chaudhwan Dhok Pathan / Murree U
…… Litra Litra Nagri / Murree M
Miocene Gaj Vihowa …… Chinji / Murree L
Oligocene Nari ……Chitarwata
Drazinda Drazinda Kuldana
Laki U/ Gorag Pir Koh Pirkoh
Domanda Domanda
Eocene Laki L/ Kirthar Habib Rahi Habib Rahi Chorgali
Sohnari U /Baska Baska Bahadurkhel,Jatta

Sohnari M/ Drug Drug Shekhan Sakesar

Sohnari M/ Kingri Kingri Gurguri
Sohnari L/ Toi Toi Chashmai
…Sohnari L/Shaheed Ghat Shaheed Ghat Panoba Nammal
Lakhra/Dungan Dungan Lockhart
Paleocene Bara/Rakhi Gaj Rakhi Gaj
Khadro/Sangiali Sangiali H a n g u
……Disconformable Boundary... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..
Vitakri Vitakri Indus
Pab Pab Kawagarh
Fort Munro Fort Munro
Cretaceous Mughal Kot Mughal Kot
Parh Parh L u mshiwal
Goru Goru
Mekhtar Mekhtar
Sembar Sembar C h i c h ali
…… Dilband Dilband
Chiltan Chiltan Samanasuk
Jurassic Anjira Loralai Shinawari
Spingwar. Spingwar. Datta
Triassic Wulgai Wulgai Kingriali/Chalk Jabi
Gwal Gwal Tredian
Mianwali
Sandstone Limestone Dolomite Conglomerate Shale Marl Gypsum/salt Alluvium

Sauropod dinosaur Theropod dinosaur Mesoeucrocodile Pterosaur-flying reptile

Figure 1. Revised Stratigraphic Correlation of Lower Indus (Eastern and Western Kirthar),
Middle Indus (Sulaiman) and Upper Indus (Kohat-Potwar) basins of Pakistan.
Abbreviations; L-Lower, M-Middle, U-Upper.
Jurassic Sulaiman Group
The term “Sulaiman limestone” was first
used by Pinfold (1939), the type section in the
gorge between Mughal Kot and Dhana Sar (lat.
310 26’N; long. 700 01’E) was formally
described by Williams (1959), and later
“Sulaiman Limestone Group” is used by the
Geological Survey of Pakistan. The Alozai
Group was used by Shah (2009) for Spingwar
and Loralai formations only on the suggestions of
A.N Fatmi that the Alozai Group is well exposed
in the Quetta to Zhob. Malkani (2009) used the
term Sulaiman Group for the Spingwar,
Loralai/Anjira, Chiltan/Takatu/Zidi and Dilband
formations. Mesozoic rocks are mostly
pericratonic marine shelf sloping westward from
Indo-Pak Peninsula. The sequence show igneous
rocks in and near vicinity of Western Indus
Suture.
Spingwar Formation: The Spingwar
member of Shirinab Formation was named by

56
Williams (1959) and he designated the type
section at Spingwar at the north of Zamari Tangi,
about 35 km northwest of Loralai (lat. 300 32’
52’’N; long. 680 19’ 16’’E). Stratigraphic
committee (Shah, 2009) upgraded it to the
formation level due to wide and thick exposures
and clear cut differences among the under and
overlying strata. It consists of grey to greenish
grey shale, grey to whitish grey marl and
limestone with some igneous sills especially in the
vicinity of Western Indus Suture (Axial Belt). It is
mostly exposed near the Western Indus Suture. It
is 665m in Zamari Tangi, 215m in the Mara
Tangi, and 140m in the Tazi Kach sections (Fatmi
1977; Shah 2009). It is conformably contacted on
the base with Triassic Wulgai Formation and
upper contact with Anjira/Loralai Limestone. Its
Upper Triassic to Early Jurassic age is based on
fossils of ammonites, brachiopods, bivalves,
crinoids, corals and shell fragments (Williams,
1959; Anwar, et al, 1991; Fatmi 1977).
Anjira Formation: The Anjira member
of Shirinab Formation was named by Williams
(1959) after Anjira village (34L/7) with type
locality 12 km east of Anjira (Anwar et al. 1991).
It is correlative to Loralai limestone of Sulaiman
Basin. It represents mainly thin to medium
bedded grey limestone with some grey shale and
marl. Its lower contact with Spingwar Formation
and upper contact with Chiltan (Takatu, Zidi)
Limestone is conformable. The age assigned by
Williams (1959) and Woodward (1959) is Early
Jurassic but HSC (1961) have recorded Torcian
fossils from its lower part. Its age ranges from
Late Liassic to Bajocian (Early-Middle Jurassic).
Chiltan (Takatu/Zidi Limestone)
Formation: The famous name Chiltan
Limestone was introduced by Hunting Survey
Corporation (1961) after the Chiltan Range
southwest of Quetta. The type locality of
Chiltan is after the Chiltan Range (Lat. 300 01’
N; Long. 660 46’E). Shah (2002,2009) named
the Takatu Formation after the Williams (1959).
Its name was derived from the Takatu Range in
the Northeast of Quetta. The type section is
along Data Manda Nala, a small stream passing
throughout the entire Formation in very deep
narrow gorge and enters the plain about 3km
south of Bostan village (Lat. 300 20’N; Long.
670 03’E). The term Chiltan Limestone is well
known in all geoscientists. It is also valid in
most of the Kirthar, Sulaiman and Axial belt
57
areas. It consists of massive thick bedded
limestone which forms prominent ranges and
high peaks in the surrounding of Quetta, Ziarat
and then in the Takht Sulaiman area, however in
the vicinity of Loralai, the peak forming
equilent is Loralai Formation. This limestone is
considered as biohermal or reefal. This
Formation is 800m thick in the type locality and
1100m in the Takht Sulaiman and in other areas
varies from 600 to 1100m (Fatmi 1977; Shah
2009). The lower contact of Chiltan (Takatu)
Limestone with Anjira/Loralai Formation is
conformable while upper contact with
Dilband/Sembar Formation is disconfirmable
and at places conformable. Arkell (1956)
reported Late Bathonian ammonites from the
lower part of Mazar Drik unit/Dilband
Formation, its age can be considered as Early
Callovian to Late Bathonian (Middle Jurassic)
(Fatmi 1977). Its stratigraphic position also tells
the age range from Middle Jurassic to Late
Jurassic.
Dilband Formation: Dilband
Formation which is about 20m thick in the type
area (Northern Kirthar Range) was named by
Abbas et al. (1998) and designated three
members like lower Jarositic clay member (light
grey to brown), middle ironstone member
(reddish), and upper green glauconitic shale
member. The Dilband Formation (synonym
Mazar Drik Formation) is less than 30 m and
exposed also in the Dilband Johan-Moola Zahri
Range of Kirthan Foldbelt and Loralai, Duki
and Gadebar areas of Sulaiman Foldbelt. It
includes mostly the transitional and
disconfirmable horizons representing Jurassic
Cretaceous (J-K) boundary. This J-K boundary
exposed in Duki, Loralai, Daman Ghar and
Gadebar areas is represented by light brown
shale alternated with light grey fresh colour and
light brown weathered colour limestone belong
to Dilband Formation. Its lower contact with
Chiltan (Takatu/Zidi) Limestone and upper
contact with Sembar Formation is
disconfirmable and at places conformable.
Ammonits from Mazar Drik and Moro area
include Macrocephalites, Dolikephalites,
Indocephalites, Pleurocephalites, Indosphinctes
and Choffatia (Fatmi 1977). Arkell (1956)
reported Bullatimorphites bullatus and
Clydoniceras from the lower part of Mazar Drik
unit/Dilband Formation, representing Late
Bathonian age. Recently Malkani (2003c) has
found dinosaurs (Brohisaurus kirthari) fossils
from Sun Chaku (Karkh area) and Charoh (Zidi
area) localities of Khuzdar District (Kirthar
Range) from the Dilband Formation (transition
beds of Lower Sembar from Chiltan Limestone
to Sembar shale). Its stratigraphic position tells
the age range from Middle Jurassic to Late
Jurassic. Its age can be considered as Late
Jurassic.
Early Cretaceous Parh Group
The term Parh was first used by Blanford
(1879) for rocks of Parh Range. HSC (1961) used
the term Parh Group. The type area lies in the Parh
Range in the upper reaches of the Gaj river (lat.
260 54’ 45’’N; long. 670 05’ 45’’E). Parh Group
represents Sembar, Mekhtar, Goru and Parh
formations, however Mekhtar sandstone (Lower
Goru Sandstone) is not exposed in Parh Range and
may be found subsurface in the Eastern Kirthar
Basin while it is exposed in Mekhtar area (Loralai
District) and Murgha Kibzai area (Zhob District)
of Sulaiman Basin. Shah (2009) mentioned the
Mona Jhal Group after the Fatmi et al. (1996)
from Mona Jhal Anticline, 13 km north of
Khuzdar and it includes the Sembar, Goru, Parh
and Mughal Kot. According to the author’s
opinion the Mughal Kot Formation is arenaceous
clastic in the Eastern Sulaiman and fit with the
Fort Munro Group which is mostly clastic, except
Fort Munro Limestone.
Sembar Formation: The term Sembar
Formation was proposed by Williams (1959) to
replace the term Belemnite beds of Oldham
(1890). The type section is Sembar Pass (lat. 290
55’ 05’’N; long. 680 34’ 48’’E). Malkani
(2010a) reported three members of Sembar
Formation in the Mekhtar and Murgha Kibzai
area of Sulaiman Foldbelt like Sembar lower
and upper shale members and middle member is
named as Mekhtar member/Mekhtar sandstone
member. The type locality of Mekhtar member
is just south of Mekhtar town, near the Kareez
(39F/7). This sandstone unit is about 100m
thick. It is also found in the north of Mekhtar
like Murgha Kibzai area. The shale is greenish
grey and khaki, mostly calcareous, with rare
glauconitic. The Mekhtar sandstone is Pab like
white to grey, quartzose, thin to thick bedded
and medium to coarse grained, mostly
weathered as dark grey to black. The marl is
grey to cream white, thin bedded and
58
porcelaneous. Malkani and Mahmood (2016b)
updated the Mekhtar member as Mekhtar
Formation (Mekhtar sandstone or it is
commonly called as lower Goru sandstone).
Sembar Formation is estimated as about 1000m
in the Loralai, Gadebar Range and Tor Thana
areas. As lateral variation, this formation is
relatively more and maximum thick in the
Loralai, Tor Thana and Gadebar areas. It is
being reduced in towards the Kirthar Basin and
Western Indus Suture regions and also toward
the northern Sulaiman Foldbelt. It is 133m thick
in the type locality and 262m in the Mughal Kot
area (Fatmi 1977; Shah 2009). It is about 200m
near the Lakha Pir of Charoh anticline in Zidi
area in the east of Khuzdar town. Its lower
contact with the Loralai/Chiltan/Dilband
formations is disconfirmable and at places
conformable and upper contact with Goru
Formation is transitional and conformable. It
contains foraminifers and most common
belemnites Hibolithes pistilliformis, H.
subfusiformis and Duvalia sp. From Windar
River in Lasbela, Nuttal (in Arkell 1956)
reported fragments of Virgatosphinctes
denseplicatus and V. cf. V. subquadratus. The
age varies from Latest Jurassic to Early
Cretaceous (Fatmi 1977).
Mekhtar Formation (or Mekhtar
Sandstone): Mekhtar Formation (or Mekhtar
Sandstone or it is commonly called as lower Goru
sandstone) is upgraded by Malkani and Mahmood
(2016b) as formation (from previous Mekhtar
member) due to its wide occurrence and lateral
extension in the Eastern Sulaiman and also Eastern
Kirthar Basins (subsurface). It is not exposed in
the Kirthar Basin but found in subsurface,
however it is exposed in Mekhtar and Murgha
Kibzai areas of Sulaiman Basin. Malkani (2010a)
established three members of Sembar Formation.
But here the Middle Sandstone and upper shale
and marl are considered as Mekhtar Formation. Its
type locality is near the Mekhtar town just south of
Mekhtar on Chamalang Mekhtar road (39F/7). At
type locality it is round about 100m thick lensoid
shape. This sandstone is oil producing/reservoir
rocks in Kirthar Basin commonly called Lower
Goru Sandstone. Actually it is a Mekhtar
Formation. It mostly consists of sandstone (Pab
like) with some shale and marl. The lower contact
with Sembar is gradational and sharp marked on
Sandstone facies variation from Shale facies of
Sembar. The upper contact with Goru Formation
is also sharp. According to law of superposition its
age can be considered as Early Cretaceous.
Goru Formation: The term Goru
Formation was introduced by Williams (1959).
The type section is located near Goru village on
the Nar river in the southern Kirthar Range (lat.
270 50’ 00’’N; long. 660 54’ 00’’E). It consists of
alternations of about 3 thick marl units and two
shale units. The shale is grey to khaki and
calcareous. The marl is grey to cream white, thin
bedded to thick bedded and porcelaneous. It is
relatively reduced towards the Axial Belt regions.
It is about 500m thick in the type area and also
same in the Mekhtar area. It is being reduced
towards Western Indus Suture near Quetta upto
60m thick. Its lower contact with Sembar
Formation is transitional and conformable where
Mekhtar sandstone (Lower Goru Sandstone) is
missing, otherwise its upper contact with Mekhtar
sandstone is sharp. The upper contact with Parh
Limestone is marked by a marine maroon red beds
which also show conformable contact, however
some author have suggested the maroon beds are
indicator of disconformity but in actual these are
marine red beds. The most of the fossils found
belong to foraminifers and belemnite (Hibolithes
spp.). Fritz and Khan (1967) described the
foraminifers from Bangu Nala in Quetta as
Globigerinelloides algeriana, G. breggiensis, G.
caseyi, Ticinella roberti, Gavelinella, Rotallipora
ticinensis, R. appennenica, R. brotzeni, R. reicheli,
Praeglobo-truncana stephani and Planomallina
buxtorfi. According to stratigraphic position, its
age can be considered as Early Cretaceous.
Parh Formation: It consists of mainly
limestone with minor shale and marly beds.
Limestone and marl is cream white to grey, thin
to thick bedded and porcelaneous. The shale is
grey, khaki and calcareous. It is 60-70m thick
in Sulaiman Basin. As lateral variation, this
formation is relatively more and maximum thick
(about 300-400m) in Karkh, Kharzan and the
type locality areas of Kirthar Foldbelt. Its lower
contact with Goru Formation is conformable
and upper contact with Mughal Kot Formation
is also transitional and conformable represented
by about 12m marly beds. The formation is rich
in foraminifers like Globotruncana Spp., G.
ventricosa, G. lapparenti, G. sigali,
Pseudotextularia elegans (Gigon 1962). The age
of the Parh limestone is middle Cretaceous in
59
the Sulaiman and Kirthar Foldbelts, however it
is maintained from Middle Cretaceous to Late
Cretaceous in the Western Indus Suture (Axial
Belt) areas where the Fort Munro Group is not
developed and also lower and middle Sangiali
Group is not developed. For example the Ziarat
Laterite showing K-T boundary is contacted by
Cretaceous Parh Limestone and Paleocene
Dungan Limestone.
Late Cretaceous Fort Munro Group
The term Fort Munro Group was first
time used by Malkani (2009) for Mughal Kot,
Fort Munro, Pab and Vitakri formations. Its type
section is Rakhi Gaj and Girdu are in Toposheet
39 K/1. The lower contact of this group is also
found in Shadiani section in Toposheet 39 J/4.
Mughal Kot Formation: Williams
(1959) named and designated the type section of
the Mughal Kot Formation to be in the gorge 1-3
miles west of Mughal Kot post (lat. 310 26’
52’’N; long. 700 02’ 58’’E). Its synonym is
Nishpa Formation. It has variable lithology like
marly mudstone in the Rakhi Gaj area and its
vicinity, alternation of shale, lenticular sandstone
and limestone in the Tor Thana and Murgha
Kibzai area, and alternations of shale with
subordinate sandstone is common in all other areas
of Eastern Sulaiman Foldbelt. In the Western
Sulaiman like the vicinity of Loralai, the Fort
Munro Group is represented by about 100m shale
further reducing to Western Indus Suture Belt, in
the Ziarat laterite area, it is not developed. In the
western vicinity of Ziarat, it is represented by
shale and volcanics (Bibai Formation), and in the
eastern vicinity of Quetta like Hana Lake and Sor
Range areas it is represented by limestone with
negligible shale. The shale is grey, khaki and
calcareous and rarely noncalcareous. The
sandstone is grey to white, quartzose to muddy,
thin to thick bedded and medium to coarse
grained, mostly weathered as dark grey to black.
The marl and mudstone is grey to cream white.
The Parh like limestone is creamy white,
porcelaneous, thick bedded and lenticular
observed in the Tor Thana area (39 F/3). It is
estimated about 1200m in the Musa Khel and type
locality area. Petroleum seep is reported in Toi
river of Mughal Kot area, on the contact of
Mughal Kot and Pab formations. As lateral
variation, this formation is relatively more and
maximum thick in the type locality and Musa Khel
District. It is being reduced in towards the Kirthar
Basin and Western Indus Suture regions. It is
mostly developed in shallow marine, prodeltaic
and deltaic environments. Its lower contact with
Parh Formation is transitional and conformable
represented by marly beds well exposed in the Tor
Thana and its vicinity areas, and upper contact
with Fort Munro Limestone is also transitional and
conformable, however where the Fort Munro
Limestone is absent its upper contact with Pab
sandstone is transitional. Williams (1959) reported
Omphaocyclus sp. and Orbitoides sp. showing
Maastrichtian ages, while Marks (1962) reported
Siderolites cf. calcitrapoides, Orbitoides tissoti
minima and O. tissoti compressa from upper part
of Mughalkot Formation in Rakhi Nala showing
Late to Middle Campanion age, so its lower part
may extends up to Early Campanion. So its age is
Early to Late Campanion
Fort Munro Formation: The name
Fort Munro Limestone member was introduced
by Williams (1959) for the upper dominantly
limestone unit of the Mughal Kot Formation and
he designated the type section in the western
flank of the Fort Munro anticline along the Fort
Munro-Dera Ghazi Khan road (lat. 290 57’
14’’N; long. 700 10’ 38’’E). Fatmi (1977)
assigned it a separate formation status because
of its distinct lithology and regional extent. It
consists of grey to brown and thin to thick
bedded limestone with minor greenish grey
shale. It is 100m thick at type locality, 248m in
subsurface at Dabbo Creek i,e due to dip it
actual thickness may be 100-150m. The lower
contact with Mughal Kot Formation and upper
contact with Pab Formation are transitional and
conformable. Blanford (1879) correlated the
unit with Hippuritic limestone of Iran on the
base of fragments of Hippurite found from the
scree of this unit. Williams (1959) reported
Omphaocyclus sp. and Orbitoides sp. showing
Maastrichtian ages. HSC (1961) reported
Actinosiphon punjabensis, Orbitoides media,
Siderolites sp. etc from Kirthar Range and
assigned Maastrichtian gae. According to
Williams (1959), HSC (1961) and Marks (1962,
its age may be Late campanion to Early
Maastrichtian.
Pab Formation: The term Pab Sandstone
was introduced by Vredenburg (1907) and the
type section in the Pab Range (lat. 250 31’ 12’’N;
long. 700 02’ 58’’E) was designated by Williams
(1959). Malkani (2006d) divided the Pab
60
Formation into three members like lower Dhaola
member (Dhaola Nala, lat. 290 42’ 41’’N; long.
690 29’ 48’’E), middle as Kali member (Kali hills
of Dhaola Range, lat. 290 42’ 41’’N; long. 690 29’
42’’E) and upper Vitakri member). The best
reference section for Dhaola member is Fort
Munro area (lat. 290 57’ 14’’N; long. 700 10’
38’’E) of D.G.Khan District, and for Kali member
is Tor Thana area (lat. 300 12’ N; long. 690 11’E)
of Loralai District. The Dhaola member (white
quartzose sandstone with minor to moderate black
weathering) represents the environments of
proximal delta, near the coastline and consistent in
the Eastern Sulaiman Foldbelt. Kali member
(shale and black weathering sandstone) represent
middle and distal deltaic environments and mostly
exposed in the western part of Sulaiman Foldbelt.
Two members are not consistent every where in
the Sulaiman Basin. In the Dhaola and Chamalang
sections, both Dhaola and Kali member are existed
well. The thickness of Pab Formation is estimated
500m in the Fort Munro area. It is pinching toward
north like Mughal Kot section (300m), and also
pinching toward south in the Khairpur- Jacob
Abad high. This high separates the northern delta
(Sulaiman Basin) from southern delta (Kirthar
Basin). In the western Kirthar it is about 600m or
more thick. It is not absent in Mari-Bugti Hills but
shale proportion increases. The thickness of this
formation is relatively less in the Mughal Kot and
toward north and Western Indus Suture (WIS) but
uniform in the Eastern Sulaiman Foldbelt. Its
lower contact with Fort Munro Limestone or
Mughal Kot Formation (when Fort Munro
Limestone is absent) is transitional and
conformable and upper contact with Vitakri is
disconfirmable, when Vitakri Formation is
missing, its upper contact with Sangiali/Rakhi Gaj
Formation is conformable. Vredenburg (1908)
reported Orbitoides (Lepidorbitoides) minor from
lower part of the unit in Rakhi Nala representing
early Maastrichtian age. Williams (1959) reported
mixed bentonic-pelagic foraminifers of
Maastrichtrian age from type locality area. HSC
(1961) reported Globotruncana aff. G. linnei,
Lituola sp., Omphalocyclus macropora, Orbitella
media, Orbitoides sp., Siderolites sp., from Moro
area with Maastrichtian age. Recently, dinosaurs,
crocodiles and pterosaurs are found from Vitakri
Formation (Previously upper member of Pab
Formation, for detail see in Vitakri Formation) of
Sulaiman Foldbelt. The fossil of
gymnosperm/conifer wood of Baradarakht
goeswangai Malkani 2014, with 20 cm in
diameter, is found from the Latest Cretaceous
(Maastrichtian) Pab Formation in Goeswanga
Pass, Barkhan District, Balochistan (Malkani
2014f). According to dinosaur fossils and
stratigraphic position, the age is considered as
Middle to Late Maastrichtian.
Vitakri Formation: Malkani (2006c)
introduced first time the upper member of Pab
Formation as Vitakri member and Malkani
(2009a) upgraded this member into Vitakri
Formation (Type Vitakri area, lat. 290 41’ 19’’N;
long. 690 23’ 02’’E) due to its distinct lithology,
depositional environments and lateral extension.
Vitakri village is about 30 Km in the south-
southwest of Barkhan town. Vitakri Formation
(15-35m, extended mostly in the Eastern Sulaiman
Fold and Thrust Belt) consist of alternated two
units of red mud/clay (2-15m each unit) of over
bank flood plain deposits and two quartzose
sandstone units (2-15meach unit) with black
weathering of meandering river system. Lower red
mud horizon is based on Kali member or Dhaola
member and capped by middle sandstone horizon
of Vitakri Formation. The upper red mud horizon
is based on middle sandstone horizon and capped
by a resistant sandstone horizon. Its coeval strata
(coal, carbonaceous shale and sandstone) represent
the lacustrine and deltaic environment, and laterite
represent the erosional disconformity. The
sandstone is white to grey, thin to thick bedded
and fine to coarse grained, quartzose, mostly
weathered as dark grey to black. The shale is red,
maroon, and greenish grey and calcareous to
noncalcareous. The red muds of this disconformity
and just below this are the host of Latest
Cretaceous dinosaurs in Pakistan. Vitakri
Formation is regional extension in Eastern
Sulaiman Foldbelt and also Ziarat laterite is a part
of Vitakri Formation. Vitakri Formation was the
Park for the Latest Cretaceous dinosaurs and
crocodiles of Pakistan. Its lower and upper contact
with Pab and Sangiali formations is
disconfirmable. The Vitakri Formation has
dinosaurs, mesoeucrocodiles and pterosaurs and
invertebrates like fresh water bivalves, etc. More
fossil plants may be found further from the Kingri
coal of Vitakri Formation (Malkani 2014f).
Pakistan appeared for the first time on the
world dinosaur’s map based on recent
geological and paleontological exploration. The
61
Mesozoic strata and their internal and external
boundaries are well exposed in the Lower,
Middle and Upper Indus basins of Pakistan
which allowed the discoveries of numerous
remains of dinosaurs and associated vertebrates.
The Lower Indus (Kirthar) Basin yielded a
partial rib and an egg of the Cretaceous
Mesoeucrocodile Khuzdarcroco zahri and few
remains of Late Jurassic titanosauriform or
Early titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur
Brohisaurus kirthari. Furthermore, the Lower
Indus Basin yielded a footprint of a Middle
Jurassic titanosauriform/Early titanosaurian
sauropod.
The red muds of the Latest Cretaceous Vitakri
Formation of Middle Indus (Sulaiman) Basin
yielded well developed and well preserved
remains of the herbivorous pakisaurids
Khetranisaurus barkhani, Sulaimanisaurus
gingerichi and Pakisaurus balochistani, of the
balochisaurids Marisaurus jeffi, Balochisaurus
malkani and Maojandino alami, of the saltasaurids
Nicksaurus razashahi, as well as of the most
advanced and large-sized titanosaurian sauropod
dinosaurs Gspsaurus pakistani and Saraikimasoom
vitakri. Carnivorous large bodied abelisaurians
Vitakridrinda sulaimani and small bodied
noasaurian theropods Vitakrisaurus saraiki have
also been identified, as well as carnivorous large
to medium bodied mesoeucrocodilians
Sulaimanisuchus kinwai of Sulaimanisuchidae and
large bodied Pabwehshi pakistanensis and
Induszalim bala of Induszalimidae. Other fossil
remains include the toothed pterosaur
Saraikisaurus minhui and a wood fossil of the
conifer Baradarakht goeswangai. Further
titanosaur (Pashtosaurus zhobi) trackways have
been found on the thick sandstone bed of the
Latest Cretaceous Vitakri Formation of Western
Sulaiman Basin and eastern extremity of Western
Indus Suture as well as bony remains of the
titanosaurs found in the same basin and same
formation.
Pakiring kharzani Malkani 2014 (bivalves)
is found from the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg)
boundary laterite/thin rust on the last bed of Pab
sandstone and it belongs to Vitakri Formation in
the Kharzan area of Khuzdar District (Malkani
2014f). It is sub ring type and rough surface
ornamented bivalves with rope like shape.
According to dinosaur fossils and
stratigraphic position, the age is considered as
Latest Maastrichtian or Latest Cretaceous (67-
66Mya).
Paleocene Sangiali Group
Malkani (2009a) introduced Sangiali Group
representing Sangiali, Rakhi Gaj and Dungan
formations. The type section (Sangiali village
area, lat. 290 41’ 53’’N; long. 690 23’ 54’’E) is
exposed just 1km south southeast of Village
Sangiali. Sangiali Village is 4km north of
Vitakri Village. Sangiali Village is about 26 Km
in the south-southwest of Barkhan town. The
best and easily approachable reference section
(close to type locality of Kingri Formation) is
about 5km in the northwest of Kingri town
(39F/15). The Khadro Formation of Kirthar
Foldbelt has much volcanics. In Sulaiman
Range there are no volcanics but its green shale
and sandstone may be glauconitic or may show
some volcanic source. Further the dominant
sandstone in Khadro can hurdle for
identification of Rakhi Gaj Formation. Further
the upper sequence is again different from
Ranikot Group. It is about 30m thick in the type
area and it is being reduced on every side from
type locality area but existed in the eastern
Sulaiman Foldbelt. Sangiali Formation and
Group is suggested to remove the problems.
Mesozoic in Sulaiman and Kirthar are closely
resemble while Paleocene is different because
the Bara and also part of Khadro formations
were deposited by fluvial to deltaic while in the
Sulaiman the deposition was marine and deltaic.
Sangiali Formation: Malkani (2009a)
introduced first time the Sangiali Formation
(due to its distinct lithology, depositional
environments and lateral extension) with type
section (Sangiali village area, lat. 290 41’ 53’’N;
long. 690 23’ 54’’E) exposed just 1km south
southeast of Village Sangiali. It is extensive in
most part of Eastern Sulaiman Foldbelt and
consists of green shale and sandstone with
resistant brown limestone. The shale is found in
the lowermost part, which is graded in to
sandstone. The sandstone is capped by
limestone. The shale is green and glauconitic
and may be phosphate bearing. The sandstone is
greenish grey to grey and white and thin to
medium bedded. The limestone is brown, thin to
thick bedded and bivalves bearing. The Sangiali
Formation is 30m thick at the type locality and
pinching into few metres beds toward all
vicinity areas. Nautiloids are common in the
62
type and just south in Vitakri area. Its lower
contact with Vitakri Formation is
disconfirmable and upper contact with Rakhi
Gaj Formation is transitional and conformable.
The Nautiloids and bivalves are common in this
formation found from the Sangiali and Vitakri
area. Pakiwheel vitakri Malkani 2014, the
stocky type nautiloids is found just after the K-
Pg boundary in Sangiali Formation close to east
of Vitakri town (Malkani 2014f), and Pakiwheel
karkhi Malkani 2014, the slender type
nautiloids, is found in the green mudstone, may
be of volcanic origin, of the Early Paleocene
Sangiali Formation, 5 km east of Karkh town
(Malkani 2014f). Eames (1952) reported Early
Paleocene fossils from Rakhi Nala. The possible
bony fishes, the Teleostei or holostei fish or
ichthyosaur Karkhimachli sangiali Malkani
2014 are found fragmentary on the Early
Paleocene part of Sangiali Group of Karkh area
of Khuzdar District but its nearby higher areas
consists of Late Cretaceous Mughalkot and Pab
formations. Its preserved portion mostly belongs
to body cross section having herring bone type
structure. It is small sized fish/ichthyosaur.
Further some cross sections are also referred to
it. A body cross section of marine fish found in
the Jurassic Chiltan Limestone of Kharzan of
Mula-Zahri area, Kirthar Range (Malkani
2014f). So its age is considered as Early
Paleocene.
Rakhi Gaj Formation: Williams
(1959) introduced the lower Rakhi Gaj shales.
The Rakhi Gaj Formation is mentioned by Shah
(2002). The Rakhi Gaj Formation is also used
by the present author in many Geological maps.
Upon the suggestions of S.M.Hussain of
American Oil Company, the Stratigraphic
Committee (Shah 2009) has adopted the name
Girdu Member for the Gorge beds of Eames
(1952). The Rakhi Gaj Nala is designated as the
type section (Lat. 290 57’ 14’’ N; Long. 700 11’
30’’ E). Malkani (2010a) reported two members
of Rakhi Gaj Formation like lower Girdu
member (Gorge beds) and upper Bawata
members (Fig.1g in Malkani 2010a). It is the
middle formation of Sangiali Group and lower
formation where Sangiali Formation is absent.
The Girdu member is about 100m thick at type
area (Lat. 290 57’ 27’’ N; Long. 700 04’ 40’’ E)
where it consists of thick and resistant beds of
sandstone with minor shale. The sandstone is
grey, greenish grey, thin to thick bedded and
fine to coarse grained, bivalve bearings,
hematitic and glauconitic weathered as dark
reddish grey to dark grey. Iron and potash from
glauconitic and hematitic sandstone seems to be
significant especially in the Fort Munro, Rakhi
Gaj and its vicinity areas of eastern Sulaiman
Foldbelt. The Bawata member named by
Malkani (2010a) to fill the missing link. This
upper member can be named Rakhi Gaj member
which lacks the well developed contact with
Dungan Formation while Bawata locality has
well developed contact with Dungan Formation.
The Bawata member (Bawata as type section;
Lat. 300 00’ N; Long. 690 57’ 30’’ E) consists of
mainly shale along with alternation of sandstone
(Fig.1g in Malkani 2010a) is about 200m thick.
The Shale is common in the uppermost part.
The shale is grey, khaki and calcareous. The
sandstone is greenish grey to grey, bivalves and
iron bearings. The shale and sandstone of Fort
Munro area show green colour may due to
glauconitic or igneous origin from volcanism of
Deccan Trap. The Girdu member is about 100m
and Bawata member is about 200 m in its type
areas. Both members are exposed in the eastern
Sulaiman Foldbelt and its contact is transitional.
The lower contact of Girdu member with
Sangiali and upper contact of Bawata member
with Dungan Formation is conformable. The
lower contact of Rakhi Gaj Formation with
Vitakri Formation and Pab Formation (when
Vitakri and Sangiali both are absent) is
disconformable. Eames (1952) reported Corbula
(Varicorbula) harpa, Leionucula rakhiensis,
Venericardia vredenburgi, Tibia (Tibiochilus)
rakhiensis and other fossils from Rakhi Nala
with Early Paleocene age. Abundant Cardita
(Venericardia) beaumonti of Danian age
reported many works from different areas.
Nagappa (1959) reported Globogerina
pseudobulloides and G. triloculinoides. Sohn
(1959) recorded ostracodes such as
Howecythereis multispinosa, H. micromma and
Paracypris rectoventra from Laki Range. HSC
(1961) also reported many list of foraminifers.
Its age is considered as Middle Paleocene due to
stratigraphic positions.
Dungan Formation: The term Dungan
limestone was introduced by Oldham (1890).
Williams (1859) designated the type section to
be near Harnai (lat. 300 08’ 38’’N; long. 670 59’
63
33’’E) and renamed the unit Dungan Formation.
It consists of limestone, shale and marl. The
limestone is grey to buff, thin to medium
bedded and conglomeratic. Shale is grey, khaki
and calcareous. The marl is brown to grey, thin
to medium bedded and fine grained. This
formation is 50-300m maximum thick. Laterally
this formational facies is more diverse, at places
thick limestone deposits while at places minor
limestone showings. The Sui main limestone is
an upper part of Dungan limestone due to its
variable behavior. It is thick in the Zinda Pir,
Duki, Sanjawi, Harand, and also in Mughal Kot
section but negligible as in Rakhi Gaj and
Mekhtar areas. Petroleum showings are
common in this formation especially in the
Khatan area (Oldham 1890). Its lower contact
with Bawata member of Rakhi Gaj Formation is
conformable, near the Western Indus Suture
Belt it has disconformity at the base, while the
upper contact with Shaheed Ghat Formation is
transitional and conformable. It has many mega
forams. It age is considered as Late Paleocene,
rarely exceeding to Early Eocene. However it is
maintained all Paleocene in the Ziarat area and
the Western Indus Suture (Axial Belt) areas
where the Sangiali and Rakhi Gaj formations
i.e. the lower and middle Sangiali Group is not
developed. For example the Ziarat Laterite
showing K-T boundary is contacted by Parh and
Dungan formations. A rich fossil assemblage
including foraminifers, gastropods, bivalves and
algae are reported by Davies (1941), Khan M.H.
(in Lexique 1956), HSC (1961) and others.
Khan M.H. (in Lexique 1956) reported presence
of rich assemblages of foraminifers (Davies
1927; Nuttal 1931), corals (Duncan 1880),
mollusces (Vredenburg 1909, 1928b) and
echinoids (Duncan and Sladen 1882). The
foraminifers include Nummulites nuttali, N.
thalicus, N. globules, N. sindensis, Assilina
ranikotensis, Miscellanea miscella, M. stampi,
Lockhartia haemei, Lepidocyclina
(Polylepidina) punjabensis and Discocyclina
ranikotensis. Foraminifers are generally
abundant and most of these belong to
Fasciolites, Nummulites, Coskinolina,
Dictyoconoides, Linderina, Lockhartia,
Operculina, Miscellanea, Globorotalia,
Cibicides, etc. Species like Miscellanea
miscella, M. stampi, nummulites nuttali, n.
thalicus, N. sindensis, Assilina dandotica,
Kathina selveri and Lockhartia tipper indicate
Paleocene to Early Eocene age which is also
confirmed by some algae such as Distichoplax
sp., Lithothamnium sp., Mesophyllum sp.
However now these fossils and law of
superposition suggests the age of this formation
as Late Paleocene.
Early Eocene Chamalang (=Ghazij)
Group
The term Chamalang Group was first used by
Malkani (2010a). The term Ghazij was
introduced by Oldham (1890). Williams (1959)
proposed that the type section be at Spintangi
(lat. 290 57’ 06’’N; long. 680 05’ 00’’E) and
used the term Ghazij Gormation. It is upgraded
as group by Shah, (2002). Chamalang (Ghazij)
Group represents Shaheed Ghat, Toi, Kingri and
Baska formations. Drug and Kingri formations
are not well developed in the Spintangi area, so
the Malkani (2010a) suggests for the Chamalang
Group where all the formations of Ghazij Group
are well developed along with new formation
like Kingri Formation. The type section for
Chamalang Group is the Chamalang area
(lat.300 10’ N; long. 690 25’ E).
Shaheed Ghat Formation:
Sibghatullah Siddiqui, Jamiluddin, I.H. Qureshi
and A.H. Kidwai (1965) (verbal
communications with Sibghatullah Siddiqui and
Jamiluddin) used the name Shaheed Ghat
Formation for the upper Rakhi Gaj and green
nodular shales of Eames (1952). The type
locality is Shaheed Ghat, Zinda Pir area of Dera
Ghazi Khan District (lat. 300 24’N; long. 700
28’E). It consists of mainly shale/mud with
negligible silt and sandy beds. The shale is
grey, greenish grey, khaki and calcareous. The
shale is rarely intercalated with silty and sandy
lenses. The formation contains thin limestone
beds in the upper part with nummulites,
gastropods and lamellibranchs. The thickness of
this formation is estimated 500m in Sulaiman
and Northern Kirthar Foldbelt. The thickness of
this formation is relatively slightly less than the
other exposures in Eastern Sulaiman Basin.
Mulastar zahri Malkani 2014, a star fish
(Malkani 2014f), two pectin type other bivalves,
3 gastropods and 1 coral like fossils are found
from Shaheed Ghat Formation of Kharzan area,
Mula-Zahri range. Its lower contact with
Dungan and upper contact with Toi Formation
(in the coal bearing areas like Johan and Mach)
64
or Drug Formation (when Toi and Kingri
formations are absent especially in the Karkh
area) are conformable. This formation contains
foraminifera, gastropods and bivalves. The
pelecypods include Venericardia pakistanica,
Lucina yawensis, Corbula (Bicorbula)
subexarata, C.(B.) paraexarata and gastropods
include Crommium polihathra, Turritella
(stiracolpus) harnaiensis, Chondrocerithium
pakistanicum, Gisortia cf. G. murchisoni (Iqbal
1969b). These fossils and Siddiqui et al (1965)
suggested Early Eocene age.
Toi Formation: The Toi Formation has
been formalized after S. M. Hussain of
American Oil Company’s briefing and verbal
communication before the stratigraphic
Committee of Pakistan (Shah, 2002). The Shah
(2002) mentioned the Mughal Kot type locality
with wrong grid reference, while correct
references seams to be (lat. 310 29’ N; long. 700
07’E). Its name is derived from the Toi
River/Nala flowing near the Mughal Kot
locality. It consists of sandstone, greenish grey
to grey shale and white to light brown
marl/rubbly limestone along with some coal.
The sandstone is greenish grey to grey and thin
to thick bedded. The shale is greenish grey,
khaki and calcareous. The marl or limestone is
white to light brown and rubbly. The coal is sub
bituminous and have metallic luster. It is
exposed in the Mach and Johan area located in
the northern part of Eastern Kirthar Basin. The
thickness of Toi Formation is about 600m in the
type area of Mughal Kot section and about
1200m in the Kingri, Bahlol and Chamalang
sections. The lower contact of Toi Formation
with Shaheed Ghat Formation is conformable
while the upper contact with Kingri Formation
is disconfirmable. It has many fossiliferous
sandstone/coquina beds. Malkani (2014f,2015c)
and Malkani and Sun (2016) reported
Bolanicyon shahani from Mach coal mine area.
Bolanicyon shahani Malkani 2014
(Quettacyonidae) is found (Malkani 2014f) at
the coal mining at depth of about 500m in the
Early Eocene Toi Formation of south western
Mach (Gishtari) area. Its 1 incisor, 1 canine, 4
premolar and 3 molar teeth are preserved
(Malkani and Sun 2016). According to its
stratigraphic position and fauna, its age can be
considered as Early Eocene.
 Kingri Formation: The tem Kingri
Formation was first used by Malkani (2009a). The
type section of Kingri formation is the just
northwest of Kingri town (lat. 300 28’ N; long. 690
47’E). It consists of reds shale/mud with
subordinate grey sandstone. The shale is mostly
red and maroon and sandy and silty and
calcareous. The sandstone is grey to light brown,
thin to thick bedded. It is exposed in the Mach and
Johan area located in the northern part of Eastern
Kirthar Basin. The thickness of this formation is
estimated about 700m in the type section of Kingri
(Musakhel district Balochistan) and also same in
Shirani section (FR D.I.Khan, Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa). It extends toward Mach and Johan
(Kalat), Balochistan in the southwest and also
extends in the north upto Hangu (Kohat Sub-
Basin) where it is called Gurguri snadstone. It
represents the flood plain or overbank fines along
with channel sandstone. It is pinching rapidly
eastward and absent in areas of D.G. Khan, Rajan
Pur and Dera Bugti Districts. Its lower contact
with Toi and upper contact with Drug Formation
are disconfirmable. Gingerich, et al (2001) has
also found a unique mammalian fauna from the
Kingri/Toi Formation of Gandhera (Kingri) area.
According to its stratigraphic position, its age can
be considered as Early Eocene.
Drug Formation: Sibghatullah
Siddiqui, Jamiluddin, I.H. Qureshi and A.H.
Kidwai (1965) (verbal communications with
Sibghatullah Sidique and Jamiluddin), and Iqbal
(1969) used the name Drug Formation for
rubbly limestone of Eames (1952). The type
section (lat. 300 49’ 15’’N; long. 700 12’ 30’’E)
has been designated in Drug Tangi located
about 3 km southeast of Drug village (Shah,
2002). The Shah (2002, 2009) mentioned the
wrong order or position of Ghazij Group
formations like Toi and Drug formations. The
actual position of Toi Formation is below the
Drug Formation while Shah (2002, 2009)
mentioned every where the Toi formation is
above the Drug Formation. It is confirmed in the
north and southwest of Sulaiman Province. It
consists of limestone, marl and shale. The
limestone and marl is chalky white to light
brown and grey, rubbly and thin to thick
bedded. The shale is grey, khaki and calcareous.
The formation is maximum thick in the core of
Sulaiman Foldbelt like Baghao and Rar Khan
Areas of Barkhan District and estimated about
65
200-300m thick. It is being reduced in all
directions from these maximum thick areas. It is
absent in the Western Indus Suture and also in
Mughal Kot section of Sulaiman Foldbelt and
further north. It is exposed in the Mach and
Johan area located in the northern part of
Eastern Kirthar Basin. Its lower contact with
Shaheed Ghat Formation in the easternmost and
southeastern Sulaiman Foldbelt is transitional
and conformable, and upper contact in the
northeast, central and western Sulaiman
Foldbelt is disconfirmable with the Kingri
Formation, and in the eastern and southeastern
Sulaiman Foldbelt the upper contact with Baska
Formation is conformable and marked at the
first bed of alabaster gypsum. The Drug
limestone and shale is the host of celestite
mineralization in Sulaiman Foldbelt. It has
many fossiliferous sandstone/coquina beds
especially in the Chamalang area. Iqbal (1969b)
reported gastropods like Euspirocrommium
oveni, Cancelluluria soriensis, Ringicuia
pseudopunjabensis, and a pelecypod Lucina
exquiscia. These fossils and Siddiqui et al
(1965) suggested Early Eocene.
Baska Formation: The name Baska
shale is proposed by the Hemphill and Kidwai
(1973) to replace the descriptive term “shale with
alabaster” of Eames (1952). Hemphill and Kidwai
(1973) designated the type section exposed about
2 km east-northeast of Baska village (lat. 310
29’N; long. 700 08’E). It consists of gypsum,
shale, limestone, marl and rare siltstone. The
gypsum is grey to grayish white, medium to thick
bedded and massive. . Shale is grey, khaki and
calcareous. The marl is cream white, thin to
medium bedded and porcelaneous. Its thin
exposure is found in the Mach area located in the
northern part of eastern Kirthar Basin. Further
southward it is not reported. The siltstone is
greenish grey to grey and thin to medium bedded.
Its thickness is estimated variable from 100m to
30m. As lateral variation, this formation is
relatively more and maximum thick than the other
exposures in the Chamalang, Nisau, Manjhail, Toi
Nala, Toi river and Barkhan areas and minimum
thick in the south eastern and southern Sulaiman
located in the central core of Sulaiman Basin. Its
lower contact with Drug Formation and upper
contact with Habib Rahi Formation are
conformable. It has many fossiliferous rubbly
limestone beds especially in the Chamalang and
Mughal Kot sections. Iqbal (1969b) reported
foraminifers like Cuneoline sp., Lockhartia hunti,
and Dictyoconoides vredenburgi, pelecypods like
Bulsella sp., A. Eames and Barbatia drougensis,
the later being restricted to Early Eocene,
gastropods like Euspira cf. E. punjabensis and
Gosavia humberti. Its age is Early Eocene.
Kirthar Group
It was initially introduced as Kirthar
Series by Blanford (1876) after the Kirthar Range
to describe Eocene strata between his Ranikot
group and Nari in Western Sind while Noetling
(1905) separated the lower part as Laki series and
retained the name Kirthar for the upper part only.
The term Kirthar Group is being used here for the
Kirthar and Gorag formations. Kirthar group in
Western Kirthar Basin is correlated with Laki
Formation (upper formation of Laki Group) of
Eastern Kirthar Basin (Laki Range and
surroundings), Kahan Group (Habib Rahi,
Domanda, Pirkoh and Drazinda formations) of
Sulaiman Basin and Kohat Sub-Basin, and
Sakesar limestone of Nammal Group. Its age is
late Early-Middle Eocene.
Kirthar Formation: It is named by
Cheema et al. (1977) and now it comprises of
mixed lithology like shale, marl, limestone of
lower Kirthar member of Brahui limestone (HSC,
1961). Its lower contact with Kingri/Shaheed Ghat
formations are transitional and conforable. The
formation contains foraminifers, gastropods,
bivalves, echinoids and algae reported by Noetling
(1905), Nuttall (1925), Davies (1926), Haque and
Khan (in Lexique 1956), Haque (1962a), HSC
(1961) and Iqbal (1973). The foraminifers include
Assilina granulose, A. pustulosa, Lockhartia hunti,
var. pustulosa, Flosculina globosa, Opertorbitolites
douvillei, Fasciolites oblonga, Linderina brugesi
and Dictyoconoides vredenburgi, important
mollusces include Gisortia murchisoni, Velates
perversus, and Blagraveia sindensis and echinoids
include Amblypygus subrotundus and
Echinolampas nummulitica. These fossils indicate
an Early Eocene (Ypresian) age. Hunting Survey
Corporation/HSC (1961) reported Middle Eocene
fauna like Actinocyclina alticostata, Assilina
cancellata, A. rota, A. irregularis, Nummulites
beaumonti, N. gizehensis, Dictyoconoides cooki
and Early Eocene fauna like Assilina laminose,
Coskinolina balsilliei and Dictyoconoides
vredenburgi. So its age is Early Eocene to Middle
Eocene.
66
Gorag Formation: It is originally
named as Gorag member of Brahui limestone by
HSC (1961) after Gorag peak in south of Gaj
river in Kirthar Range and it consists of resistant
and peak forming limestone with negligible
shale and marl. It is well recognised in the
Kirthar Range. This formation include the Laki
limestone member (following Laki limestone
named after Laki Range and Laki village by
Nuttal 1925, and Laki limestone member of
Brouwers and Fatmi 1993) which is 200-300m
thick exposed as prominent scarp on flanks of
Laki Range, hills south of Hyderabad and near
Thano Bula Khan. There was confusion in the
Laki limestone member (upper part of Laki
Group) and Kirthar limestone in the Laki Range,
Hyderabad and Thano Bula Khan Areas. Now
this confusion is removed by correlating Gorag
limestone with Laki limestone member which is
thick upto 200m. Its lower contact with Kirthar
and upper contact with Nari Formation is
transitional and conformable. It contains
foraminifers, gastropods, bivalves, echinoids
and algae reported by Noetling (1905), Nuttall
(1925), Davies (1926), Haque and Khan (in
Lexique 1956), Haque (1962a), HSC (1961) and
Iqbal (1973). The foraminifers include Assilina
granulose, A. pustulosa, Lockhartia hunti, var.
pustulosa, Flosculina globosa, Opertorbitolites
douvillei, Fasciolites oblonga, Linderina
brugesi and Dictyoconoides vredenburgi,
important mollusces include Gisortia
murchisoni, Velates perversus, and Blagraveia
sindensis and echinoids include Amblypygus
subrotundus and Echinolampas nummulitica.
These fossils indicate an Early Eocene
(Ypresian) age. Hunting Survey
Corporation/HSC (1961) reported Middle
Eocene fauna like Actinocyclina alticostata,
Assilina cancellata, A. rota, A. irregularis,
Nummulites beaumonti, N. gizehensis,
Dictyoconoides cooki and Early Eocene fauna
like Assilina laminose, Coskinolina balsilliei
and Dictyoconoides vredenburgi. So its age is
Late Early Eocene to Middle Eocene.
Gaj Group
To remove missing link the Gaj group is
here being established after the Gaj river in
Kirthar Range for the Nari and Gaj formations.
Duncan and laden (1884, 1886), Vredenburg
(1906b, 1909b), Nuttall (1925, 1926), HSC
(1961), Pascoe (1963) Khan M.H. (1968) and
Iqbal (1969a) reported foraminifers, corals,
mollusks, echinoid, algae and other fossils. The
foraminifers include Nummulites intermedius,
N. vascus, N. fichteli, N. clypeus, Lepidocyclina
(Eulepidina) dilatata, etc., bivalves include
Crassatella sulcata, Venus (Ventricola)
multilamella, V. (Antigona) peepera, gastropods
include Scaphander oligoturritus, Lyria anceps
and Tritonsium (Saia) indicum. Pascoe (1936)
concluded Stamian of Europe and ranges from
Rupelian to Chattian. Khan (1968) assigned
Rupelian to Early Aquitanian age. HSC (1961)
assigned the age of this group as Oligocene to
Miocene.
Nari Formation: It was named by
Williams (1959) for the Nari Series by Blanford
(1876) after the Nari river. It consists of marine
brown sandstone, red, brown and yellow shale,
and brown limestone. It is equalent to
Chitarwata Formation of Sulaiman Basin. Its
lower contact with Gorag and upper contact
with Gaj Formation is transitional and
conformable. Fossils details are also mentioned
in the above Gaj Group. Its stratigraphic
position and above mentioned fauna tells
Oligocene age.
Gaj Formation: It was named by
Williams (1959) for the Gaj Series by Blanford
(1876) after the Gaj river. It consists of
estuarine to terrestrial deposits dominantly
varicoloured shale with subordinate sandstone
and limestone. It mostly resembles with Nari
formation however the contact is being marked
at the end of massive sandstone and at the start
of dominant shale lithology. It is correlative to
Early Miocene Vihowa Formation of Sulaiman
Basin. Its lower contact with Nari is
conformable and upper contact with
Litra/Chaudhwan Formation is disconformable.
Fossils details are also mentioned in the above
Gaj Group. Its stratigraphic position and above
mentioned fauna tells Miocene age.
Manchar Group
The term Manchar is derived from
Manchar series of Blanford (1876) after the
Manchar lake a few kms west of Sehwan. Late
Miocene to Pliocene Manchar group represents
Litra Formation and Chaudhwan Formation.
The Litra Formation is exposed in the Sor
Range-Deghar syncline and also on the eastern
foothills of Kirthar Range. The Sor Range-
Deghar syncline is a transition zone/boarder
67
zone of Sulaiman and Kirthar basins. The Sor
Range-Deghar syncline is located in the east of
Quetta town. The Manchar group is mostly
equalent to upper part of Vihowa Group (Litra
and Chaudhwan formations). These are exposed
in the eastern foot mountains of Kirthar and
Laki Ranges.
Litra Formation: The Litra Formation
was first used by Hemphill and Kidwai (1973). The
type section designated to be Litra Nala (lat. 310
01’N; long. 700 25’E). It consists of sandstone with
subordinate shale and conglomerate. The sandstone
is grey, thin to thick bedded and massive, fine to
coarse grained, gritty and calcareous. The shale is
maroon, khaki and calcareous. The conglomerate is
thin to thick bedded and dominantly sandy and
calcareous. Its lower contact with Gaj/Laki/
Kirthar/Gorag Formation and upper contact with
Chaudhwan Formation is disconfirmable or
angular. This formation is the host of continental
vertebrates. Raza et al. (2002) placed the lower age
of Litra Formation at 11 Ma based on Hipparaion in
the lower part of this formation. They also
estimated the age of Litra Formation from 11 to 6
Ma i.e. late Miocene.
Chaudhwan Formation: The
Chaudhwan Formation was first used by
Hemphill and Kidwai (1973). The type section
designated to be in Chaudhwan Zam (lat. 310
37’N; long. 700 15’E). It consists of alternated
mudstone/shale, sandstone and conglomerate.
The mudstone/shale is maroon, khaki and
calcareous. The sandstone is grey, brown, thin
to thick bedded, fine to coarse grained, gritty
and calcareous. The conglomerate is thin to
thick bedded and dominantly sandy and
calcareous. Thick conglomerate beds with some
mud and sands cap the upper part of this
formation. These are exposed in the eastern foot
mountains of Kirthar and Laki Ranges. Its lower
contact with Litra Formation is disconfirmable
while upper contact with Dada Formation is
angular and at places transitional and marked at
the start of dominant and resistant
conglomerate. This formation is the host of
continental vertebrates. According to
stratigraphic position, its age is Pliocene.
Sakhi Sarwar Group
The term Sakhi Sarwar Group was
named by Malkani (2012h) for Pleistocene Dada
(mainly conglomerate) and Holocene Sakhi
Sarwar (clays, silt, sandstone and conglomerate)
formations (Malkani 2012h). These are exposed
in the eastern foot mountains of Kirthar and
Laki Ranges.
Dada Formation: Its name is derived
from Dada River south of Spintangi Railway
station (HSC, 1961). It consists of conglomerate
with subordinate shale and sandstone. At places
it also includes the white and red muds
especially in the valley areas. Its lower contact
with Chaudhwan Formation and upper contact
with Sakhi Sarwar Formation is angular and at
some places transitional. According to
stratigraphic position, its age may be
Pleistocene.
Sakhi Sarwar Formation: It was
named by Malkani (2012h) for the varicoloured
clays, sandstone, siltstone and conglomerate. Its
lower contact with Dada Formation and upper
contact with subrecent alluvium is angular and
at places transitional. Its age is Holocene.
Subrecent and Recent surficial deposits
These are represented by alluvial deposits in
the footmountains (Daman) and plain areas
deposited by Indus river systems. Some minor
eolian sand dunes are found in the coastal areas. In
the vicinity of high mountan ridges the colluvium
scree and talus are also found.
Revised Stratigraphy of Eastern Kirthar
Basin (Laki Range and Surroundings), Sindh
Province
Eastern Kirthar Basin (Laki anticline
and eastward upto Nagar Parker Igneous
Complex) as name shows it is located in the
eastern part of Kirthar Basin, on the west it is
bounded by western Kirthar, on the east by
Nagar Parker segment of Indo-Pak Shield, on
the south by Indo-Pak Ocean and on the north
by Sulaiman Basin. Eastern Kirthar Basin
represents exposed Late Cretaceous Pab and
Latest Cretaceous Vitakri Formation of Fort
Munro Group in the core of Laki anticline and
on the limbs Cenozoic rocks. However in
subsurface the older Mesozoic, Triassic,
Paleozoic and Precambrian rocks may be found.
The exposed stratigraphic sequences in the
Eastern Kirthar Basin under the Sindh Province
are being described as follows.
Late Cretaceous Fort Munro Group
The term Fort Munro Group was first
time used by Malkani (2009a) for Mughal Kot,
Fort Munro, Pab and Vitakri formations. Its type
section is Rakhi Gaj and Girdu are in Toposheet
68
39 K/1. Here only Pab and Vitakri formations
are exposed only in the core of Laki anticline.
The remaining areas show exposures of Tertiary
and Quaternary deposits.
Pab Formation: The term Pab Sandstone was
introduced by Vredenburg (1907) and the type
section in the Pab Range (lat. 250 31’ 12’’N; long.
700 02’ 58’’E) was designated by Williams
(1959). In the core of Laki anticline, it consists of
mainly sandstone with minor shale. The thickness
of Pab Formation is estimated 100m in the core of
Laki anticline. Its lower contact is not exposed in
Laki Range, however in Kirthar Range it is
contacted with Fort Munro Limestone as
transitional and upper contact with Vitakri
Formation (red clay and some sandstone) is
disconformable. On the vertebrate (dinosaurs,
mesoeucrocodiles, etc) found from following
Latest Cretaceous Vitakri Formation), the age is
being assigned as Late Cretaceous/Late
Maastrichtian.
Vitakri Formation: Malkani (2006c)
introduced first time the upper member of Pab
Formation as Vitakri member and Malkani
(2009a) upgraded this member into Vitakri
Formation (Type Vitakri area, lat. 290 41’
19’’N; long. 690 23’ 02’’E) due to its distinct
lithology, depositional environments and lateral
extension. Vitakri village is about 30 Km in the
south-southwest of Barkhan town. Here Vitakri
Formation (about 30m thick) consists of
terrestrial red sandstone with some muds of
fluvial origin. Vitakri Formation of Sulaiman
Basin is the host of Latest Cretaceous dinosaurs
and crocodiles. The core of Laki anticline where
the Late Cretaceous Pab and Vitakri formations
are welol exposed may yield the dinosaurs and
associated vertebrates. Its lower and upper
contact with Pab and Khadro formations are
disconfirmable.
Ranikot Group
The Sangiali Group is here replaced by
Ranikot Group named by Ranikot (Lat. 250 54’
24’’N; Long. 670 54’ 38’’ E) including the
Khadro, Bara and Lakhra formations.
Khadro Formation: It was named after
Khadro Nai/Nala which is north of Bara Nai but
its type section is Bara Nai/Nala Lat. 260 07’
06’’N; Long. 670 53’ 12’’ E in the Northern Laki
Range and named by Williams (1959). It
includes the Cardita beaumonti beds of Blanford
(1878), Venericardia shales of Eames (1952),
basal parts of Karkh, Gidar Dhor and Jakker
groups, Bad Kachu and Thar formations of HSC
(1961). It consists of limestone, sandstone, shale
and volcanics. The igneous rocks like Decan
trap basalts are found in the Earliest Paleocene
Khadro Formation in the Kirthar Basin exposed
in the Kirthar Foldbelt and also encountered in
the subsurface drill hole. It consists of soft
sandstone, shale and coal. Its lower contact with
Khadro and upper contact with Lakhra is
transitional and conformable. Its age is Earliest
Paleocene age.
Bara Formation: It was named by
Ahmad and Ghani (Written communication in
1971 to Cheema et al. 1977) after Bara Nai (Lat.
260 07’ 06’’N; Long. 670 53’ 12’’ E, Type section) of
Laki Range. Its principal reference section is
Ranikot (Lat. 250 54’ 24’’N; Long. 670 54’ 38’’ E). It
includes the lower Ranikot sandstone of
Vredenburg (1906) and lower Ranikot of later
workers, Ranikot formation of Williams (1959),
Lower Ranikot formation, lower parts of the
Karkh, Gidar Dhor and Jakker groups, Bad Kachu,
Rottaro and Thar formations of HSC (1961). It
consists of soft sandstone, shale and coal. Its lower
contact with Khadro and upper contact with
Lakhra is transitional and conformable. Its age is
Early Paleocene.
Lakhra Formation: It was named by
Ahmad and Ghani (Written communication in
1971 to Cheema et al. 1977) after Lakhra of Laki
Range. It includes the upper Ranikot limestone of
Vredenburg (1906) and upper Ranikot of lator
workers, upper Ranikot formation of HSC (1961).
It consists of dominant limestone with minor
shale. It is correlated with Dungan Limestone of
western Kirthar and Sulaiman Basin. Its lower
contact with Bara Formation is transitional and
upper contact with Sohnar Gaj Formation is
disconformable. For fossils pl. see the Dungan
Formation in western Kirthar. Its age is Late
Paleocene.
Laki Group
The term Laki Group was proposed by
HSC (1961) for the Laki Series of Noetling
(1903) and lower part of Kirthar Series of
Blanford (1876). Laki Group includes Sohnari
(now upgraded as formation) and Laki
formations. It also includes the Tiyon formation
of HSC (1961). It is well recognised in the Laki
Range and its surroundings. Nuttal (1925)
subdivided Laki series in to basal Laki laterite
69
(8m), Meting limestone (45m), Meting shale
(30m) and Laki limestone (70-200m). Cheema
et al. (1977) proposed two members like
Sonhari member (=basal Laki laterite)
represents laterite, and Meting limestone and
shale member (= Chat member of Nagappa
1959) which include the upper 3 units of Nuttal
(1925). Kazmi and Abbasi (2008) mentioned
only one formation as Laki Formation. Further
Outerbridge et al. (1991) and also others
stressed about the two fold divisions of Laki
Group. Akhtar et al. (2012) used the Laki
Formation for all members/formations of Laki
Group may be due to scale problems. So here
twofold division of Laki Group is adopted like
the lower unit as Sohnai Formation (consists of
lateritic clay, ochre, shale, arenaceous
limestone, sandstone and coal) and and upper
unit as Laki Formation (consists of mainly
limestone with minor/subordinate shale). The
age of Laki Group is Early Eocene to Middle
Eocene.
Sohnari Formation: It was named by
Outerbridge et al (1989) for the basal Laki laterite
(8m) of Nuttal (1925) and after the Sonhari
member of HSC (1961). Here it is being accepted
as formation because other laterites are also named
as Dilband Formation (J/K boundary) of Abbas et
al (1998), Vitakri Formation (Latest Cretaceous to
K/T boundary) of Malkani (2009f). It mostly
consists of lateritic clay, ochre, shale, yellow
arenaceous limestone, sandstone and lignite coal
seams. The Sohnai Formation is correlated with
Early Eocene Chamalang (Ghazij) Group of
western Kirthar and Sulaiman Basin, Panoba
Group of Kohat Sub-Basin and Nammal
Formation of Nammal Group of Potwar Sub-
Basin. Its lower contact with Lakhra Formation
and upper contact with Laki Formation is
disconformable. Its age is Early Eocene.
Laki Formation: It was named by
Cheema et al. (1977), which is derived from Laki
Series of Noetling (1903). It consists of 3
members of Nuttal (1925) like lower member as
Meting limestone (45m), middle member as
Meting shale (30m) and upper member as Laki
limestone (70-200m). The lower and middle
members like Meting limestone (45m) and Meting
shale (30m) are correlated with the Kirthar
Formation of Kirthar Group of western Kirthar.
The upper member like Laki Limestone (70-
200m) is correlated with Gorag (resistant and peak
forming limestone) formation of Kirthar Group of
western Kirthar. The Kirthar Formation belongs to
lower part of Kirthar Group while the Gorag
Formation belongs to upper part of Kirthar Group,
well exposed in western Kirthar i.e., in the typical
Kirthar Range and its vicinity areas. Laki
Formation consists of mainly limestone with
subordinate/minor shale and marl. Its lower
contact with Sohnari Formation is disconformable
and upper contact with Nari Formation is
transitional. The Laki Formation contains
foraminifers, gastropods, bivalves, echinoids and
algae reported by Noetling (1905), Nuttall (1925),
Davies (1926), Haque and Khan (in Lexique
1956), Haque (1962a), HSC (1961) and Iqbal
(1973). The foraminifers include Assilina
granulose, A. pustulosa, Lockhartia hunti, var.
pustulosa, Flosculina globosa, Opertorbitolites
douvillei, Fasciolites oblonga, Linderina brugesi
and Dictyoconoides vredenburgi, important
mollusces include Gisortia murchisoni, Velates
perversus, and Blagraveia sindensis and echinoids
include Amblypygus subrotundus and
Echinolampas nummulitica. These fossils indicate
an Early Eocene (Ypresian) age; however it may
extends upto Middle Eocene.
Gaj Group
To remove missing link the Gaj Group
is here being established after the Gaj River in
Kirthar Range for the Oligocene Nari and
Miocene Gaj formations. Duncan and laden
(1884, 1886), Vredenburg (1906b, 1909b),
Nuttall (1925, 1926), HSC (1961), Pascoe
(1963) Khan M.H. (1968) and Iqbal (1969a)
reported foraminifers, corals, mollusks,
echinoid, algae and other fossils. The
foraminifers include Nummulites intermedius,
N. vascus, N. fichteli, N. clypeus, Lepidocyclina
(Eulepidina) dilatata, etc., bivalves include
Crassatella sulcata, Venus (Ventricola)
multilamella, V. (Antigona) peepera, and
gastropods include Scaphander oligoturritus,
Lyria anceps and Tritonsium (Saia) indicum.
Pascoe (1936) concluded Stamian of Europe and
ranges from Rupelian to Chattian. Khan (1968)
assigned Rupelian to Early Aquitanian age.
HSC (1961) assigned the age of this group as
Oligocene to Miocene.
Nari Formation: It was named by
Williams (1959) for the Nari Series by Blanford
(1876) after the Nari River. It consists of marine
brown sandstone, red, brown and yellow shale,
70
and brown limestone. It is equalent to
Chitarwata Formation of Sulaiman Basin. Its
lower contact with Laki Limestone and upper
contact with Gaj Formation is transitional.
Fossils details are also mentioned in the above
Gaj Group. Its stratigraphic position and above
mentioned fauna tells Oligocene age.
Gaj Formation: It was named by
Williams (1959) for the Gaj Series by Blanford
(1876) after the Gaj River. It consists of
estuarine to terrestrial deposits dominantly
varicoloured shale with subordinate sandstone,
gypsum and limestone. It mostly resembles with
Nari Formation however the contact is being
marked at the end of massive sandstone and at
the start of dominant shale lithology. Three beds
of gypsum are reported by Alizai et al. (2000)
ranging in thickness from 0.33 to 0.93m occurs
in Miocene Gaj shales near Johi and Khairpur
Nathan Shah areas of Dadu District. It is
correlative to Miocene Vihowa Formation of
Sulaiman Basin. Its lower contact with Nari
Formation is conformable and transitional and
upper contact with Litra Formation is
disconformable. Fossils details are also
mentioned in the above Gaj Group. Its
stratigraphic position and above mentioned
fauna tells Miocene age.
Manchar Group
The term Manchar is derived from
Manchar series of Blanford (1876) after the
Manchar Lake a few kms west of Sehwan. Late
Miocene to Pliocene Manchar Group represents
Litra Formation and Chaudhwan Formation.
Manchar Group is mostly equalent to upper part
of Vihowa Group (Litra and Chaudhwan
formations). In Gaj river section it is 2200m
thick (Khan et al. 1984) while in Sehwan it is
1000m thick (Pilgrim 1912). Previous worker
divided it into Lower, Middle and Upper
Manchar. These are exposed in the eastern foot
mountains of Kirthar and Laki Ranges.
Litra Formation: The Litra Formation
was first used by Hemphill and Kidwai (1973).
The type section designated to be Litra Nala
(lat. 310 01’N; long. 700 25’E). It consists of
dominant sandstone with relative to red to
maroon shale and rare conglomerate. The
sandstone is grey, thin to thick bedded and
massive, fine to coarse grained, gritty and
calcareous. The shale is maroon, red, khaki and
calcareous. The conglomerate is thin to thick
bedded and dominantly sandy and calcareous.
Here due to being tail of Indus river, the shale
and alternated sandstone was deposited by river
system. Its lower contact with
Gaj/Laki/Kirthar/Gorag Formation and upper
contact with Chaudhwan Formation is
disconfirmable and at places angular. This
formation is the host of continental vertebrates.
Raza et al. (2002) placed the lower age of Litra
Formation at 11 Ma based on Hipparaion in the
lower part of this formation. They also
estimated the age of Litra Formation from 11 to
6 Ma i.e. late Miocene. Khan et al. (1984) dated
the lower 1700m of the Formation
paleomagnetically as 15.3 Ma to 9-10Ma.
Chaudhwan Formation: The
Chaudhwan Formation was first used by
Hemphill and Kidwai (1973). The type section
designated to be in Chaudhwan Zam (lat. 310
37’N; long. 700 15’E). It consists of alternated
mudstone/shale, sandstone and conglomerate.
As whole shale is dominant in this formation.
The mudstone/shale is maroon, khaki and
calcareous. The sandstone is grey, brown, thin
to thick bedded, fine to coarse grained, gritty
and calcareous. The conglomerate is thin to
thick bedded and dominantly sandy and
calcareous. Thick conglomerate beds with some
mud and sands cap the upper part of this
formation. These are exposed in the eastern foot
mountains of Kirthar and Laki Ranges. Its lower
contact with Litra Formation is transitional
while upper contact with Dada Formation is
angular or transitional. This formation is the
host of continental vertebrates. According to
stratigraphic position, its age may be Pliocene.
Sakhi Sarwar Group
The term Sakhi Sarwar Group was named
by Malkani (2012h) for Pleistocene Dada
(mainly conglomerate) and Holocene Sakhi
Sarwar (clays, silt, sandstone and conglomerate)
formations (Malkani 2012h). These are exposed
in the eastern foot mountains of Kirthar and
Laki Ranges.
Dada Formation: Its name is derived
from Dada River south of Spintangi Railway
station (HSC, 1961). It consists of conglomerate
with subordinate shale and sandstone. At places
it also includes the white and red muds
especially in the valley areas. Its lower contact
with Chaudhwan Formation and upper contact
with Sakhi Sarwar Formation is at places
71
angular or transitional. According to
stratigraphic position, its age may be
Pleistocene.
Sakhi Sarwar Formation: It was named by
Malkani (2012h) for the varicoloured clays,
sandstone, siltstone and conglomerate. Its lower
contact with Dada Formation and upper contact
with Subrecent at places is angular and at places
transitional. Its age is Holocene.
Subrecent and Recent surficial deposits
These are represented by alluvial
deposits in the footmountains (Daman) and
plain areas deposited by Indus river systems.
Thar Desert and some coastal areas consist of
eolian sand dune deposits. In the vicinity of high
mountan ridges the colluvium scree and talus
are also found.
Stratigraphy of Indus Offshore (Gondwana
Fragment)
The offshore areas are significant for
petroleum exploration. The Makran offshore
areas located in the west of Indus Suture line
and show the Balochistan Basin stratigraphy and
further the trench is also located in the near
offshore area. The Indus offshore area located in
the east of Indus Suture line and shows the
Kirthar Basin stratigraphy.
Rocks of Nager Parker Igneous Complex (A
Geo-Heritage of Indo-Pak Shield)
Nager Parker Igneous complex is
named by Jan et al. (1997) for acidic and basic
igneous rocks. Kazmi and Khan (1973) named
as Nagar Igneous Complex, Nagar Parker
Granite by Shah (1977) and Nagar Parker
Massif by Muslim and Akhtar (1995).
According to Jan et al. (1997) reported six
major magmatic episodes of intrusive and
extrusive activities like amphibolites and related
dykes, riebeckite-aegirine grey granite, biotite-
hornblende pink granite, acid dykes, rhyolite
plugs and basic dykes. Nagar Parker Igneous
Complex is a part of Indo-Pak Shield. These
rocks may be the extension of Proterozoic
granitoids of the Indian Rajasthan.
Mineral Resources of Kirthar Basin (Lower
Indus Basin), Pakistan
The Kirthar Basin under the territory of
Balochistan Province includes mineral
commodities like coal, iron, fluorite, sulphur,
building stones, decorative stones, marble,
celestite, etc. Mineral Potential of Kirthar
Basin/Lower Indus Basin/Southern Indus Basin
under the territory of Balochistan Province is
being described as below (for detail please sees
Map of Pakistan showing major mineral localities:
Copper Iron Lead-Zinc
Chromite Magnesite Gold
Fluorite Celestite Gypsum
Sulphur Manganese Salt
Mica Soapstone
Graphite Asbestos
Silica Sand Fuller Earth
China clay Fire clay
Mineral Resources of Western Indus Suture
(Wis; Suture between Indus and Balochistan
Basins), Balochistan Province
Western Indus Suture consists of
ophiolitic, igneous and associated and faulted
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks chromite,
asbestos, magnesite, manganese (Master et al.
1952), iron, barite, fluorite, lead-zinc (Jones and
Shah 1994), cu, construction and dimension
stones, gemstones, etc are found. For detail
please see the Malkani (2011a), Malkani and
Mahmood (2016a), Malkani et al. (2016) and
Malkani et al. (2017) paper/report on
Balochistan province and Pakistan.
Mineral Resources of Western Kirthar Basin
(Kirthar Range and Surroundings),
Balochistan Province
The Western Kirthar Basin under the
territory of Balochistan Province includes
mineral commodities like coal, iron, fluorite,
sulphur, building stones, decorative stones,
marble, celestite, etc. These are briefly
described as:
the Malkani 2011a):
Legend
Barite
Coal
Uranium
Phosphate
Figure 2. Map of Pakistan
showing major mineral
localities of Western and
Eastern Kirthar basin (lower
Indus basin).
Coal: The Eocene coal is reported from
Johan, Kalat District (Kidwai 1959) and Abe
Gul (Mastung District) areas, Paleocene coal
from Dureji (Khuzdar-Bela region), Khauri
(Khuzdar District) and Rodangi (Kalat District)
areas (Malkani, 2012a; Malkani et al., 2016,
2017). The coal of Johan is quite extensive and
lenticular; minings were tried many times but
not continued due to thin and discontinuous
exposure and security reason. The coal of Abe
Gul (Mastung District is found in Toi Formation
on high peak and has very small extension.
Further Malkani and Tariq (1992) reported
Paleocene coal in Radangi Formation (limestone
with subordinate shale) of western Shirinab
valleyof Kalat District. The Rodangi area shows
upto 1 m thick carbonaceous shale with
lenticular nature. Mining was tried but no any
successful coal seam was found (Malkani and
Tariq 1992). Kazmi and Abass (2001) reported
the coal from Dureji in the Southern Kirthar
Foldbelt but details are not provided so far.
Malkani (2010f) reported first time the coal of
72
Khauri locality of Zidi area (Khuzdar District)
and here the coal and carbonaceous shale is
about 1 foot thick seam found in the the Tertiary
limestone, marl and shale. It is exposed near the
road cut of Khuzdar to Karkh road.
Iron Ore: Dilband iron ore found at J/K
boundary in the Vicinity of Dilband and Johan
area of Mastung, Kalat, and Bolan and Quetta
Districts, It is found between the Jurassic
Chiltan limestone and Sembar Formation. It
mostly represents and overlaps the Sembar
Formation. Abbas et al 1998 has named it as
Dilband Formation. Pakistan has large iron
deposits occurring as ironstone and lateritic beds
showing disconformities like Kirthar (Lower
Indus) Foldbelt (Dilband). It is recently
discovered by GSP with considerable economic
significance. It is located on the Dilband area
just NE of Johan Village. It is 70km from
National Highway and 100km from Kolpur
railway station. The ore is found as J/K
boundary with low to gentle dips. The iron
horizon is 1-7m thick with an average value of
2m. Mineralogically it consists of hematite with
calcite, quartz and chlorite. It contains 35-48%
iron. The estimated reserves are 200mt. Due its
large tonnage, low and gentle dips, favorable
location (also close to Mach and Bibi Nani with
belt loading), open cast mining, simple
mineralogy and acceptable grade, it is
considered better than other ores in Pakistan
(Abbas et al, 1998). It comprises ironstone ore
which is being mined in Europe, North America,
Russia and China. The Pakistan Steel Mills have
successfully blended 10% of raw Dilband ore
with improved iron ores to produce sinter and
pig iron. Laboratory scale experiments indicate
that this ratio can be raised to 15% and possibly
upto 70% after beneficiation. Chemical analyses
of iron ore represents Fe 45.7-48.03%, FeO
2.30-2.95%, SiO2 13.7- 14.6%, CaO 2.23-2.4%,
MgO 1.6-2.2%, MnO 0.09-0.11%, Al2O3 5.30-
6.04%, TiO2 20.32-0.35%, P 0.24-0.34%, Cu
0.01-0.012%, S 0.12-0.19%, Zn 0.07%, Loi 4.5-
7.45%. Pakistan Steel mill is started to use the
iron of Dilband area but due to security it was
abandoned. So necessary security arrangement
may be provided to develop the Dilband iron ore
for Pakistan Steel and to save the export
fundings. In this impmkill In Sindh lateritric
clay and ochre, pockets of limonite and ochre
are found in Eocene Sohnari Formation at
73
Lakhra, Meting and Makli hills (Abbass et al.,
1998).
Witherite: It is a barium carbonate with
4.3 specific gravity. It occurs as gange minerals
with galena and barite. It is a source of barium
salts and also used for pottery industry. Due to
high specific gravity, it can be used for drilling
industry. A deposit of witherite has recently
been discovered a few kilometers west of
Deghari in Balochistan. It occurs in veins and
lenses in the Jurassic Chiltan limestone and
mineralization extends for about 1 km (Sispal
Kella, verbal communication with Kazmi and
Abbas, 2001).
Fluorite: The attraction of mineral
specimen as distinct from a facetted stone lies in
its form and colour. Mineral specimens do not
have to be of gem quality, though the gem
crystals that escape cutting are admittedly most
beautiful. In recent years a large and a
flourishing market for good mineral specimen as
collector’s items has developed world wide.
Attractive violet fluorite crystals occur in the
Koh-Dilband (290 30’N; 660 55’E) fluorite
mines in Kalat Division. In the vicinity of
Dilband, the fluorite is reported from Pad
Maran, Chah Bali and Dobranzel (Isplinji) areas
(Bakr, 1965a; Mohsin and Sarwar, 1980).
Fluorite occurs in veins and fractures in the
Jurassic Chiltan/Zidi limestone. The calcite,
quartz, barite, etc are the gangue minerals in
fluorite veins. Abbas et al. (1980) estimated 0.1
million tons of fluorite deposit of Dilband-
Maran-Phad Maran, District Kalat. The third
largest deposit of fluorite from Pakistan has been
discovered by Malkani (2002,2004c) and
Malkani et al. (2007) from Jurassic Chiltan
Limestone of Mula-Zahri Range, Kirthar
foldbelt. Malkani (2002; 2004d) reported 6750
tons of fluorite. Malkani et al. (2007) reported
20,000 tons of fluorite deposit. The main fluorite
localities are Koath, Mardan-Jhakkur-Korangani
and adjoining areas of Moola Zahri Range of
western Kirthar Basin. Mula Zahri Range is
located 85 km northeast of Khuzdar town. The
base area is accessibile from Khuzdar via
mototable track. The Koath locality is found in
the southern part of fluorite bearing range and
Mardan-Jhakkur-Korangani localities are found
in the northern part of fluorite bearing Range.
Many other localities in the Mula Zahri Range
host the fluorite. The fluorite ore areas are on the
peak of range which can be accessed only by
footwalk climbing of many hours to two days.
The Koath fluorite locality is two hour climbing
from Lakha Pir (the base area on Mula river
bank). The Mardan-Jhakkur-Korangani localities
need two days climbing from east and one day
climbing from west. The relief of Mula Zahri
Range varies from 500m to 2280m. Mula Zahri
Range is a major anticlinorium trending north
south. The core formation is Jurassic
Chiltan/Zidi limestone which is also host of
fluorite. Fluorite is found on and around the
hinge line of anticlinorium. The colour of
fluorite is light green to deep green, bluish grey
to pinkish grey, and rarely brown to pinkish
brown. The intensity of bluish grey and dark
green fluorite is increasing toward north. It is
transparent to opaque and massive to perfect
crystals. So fluorite deposits are in high
demands in Pakistan. Mula Zahri fluorite
deposits are the third largest deposits of fluorite
in Pakistan after the first Dilband and second
Loralai deposits. The fluorite occurs in veins and
fracture fillings showing clearly formed by
hydrothermal activities. The individual vein
varies in width from few centimeters to half
meter and length varies from 10 to 50m. The
chemical analyses show CaF2 content varies
from 95.20 to 96.50%. The ore contains about
60% fluorite. The gangue mineral of fluorite ore
is calcite. No detailed exploratory work is done,
however the estimated deposts of fluorite from
Koath and Mardan-Jhakkur-Korangani is about
20,000 tons (upto 50 m easy mineable depth).
The other localities of fluorite from Mula Zahri
Range are Kil, Chinoka, Bhai Jov, Patham,
Hanjiri, Bilawal, Zardak, etc. Further the other
areas having best exposures of Chiltan
limestones like Saplao, Siah Koh, Patk, Gazg,
Nagau, etc areas are significant for further
exploration of fluorite and also overlying iron of
Dilband Formation. Further exploration in
Jurassic Chiltan/Zidi limestone of Kirthar Basin,
Chiltan/Takatu and Loralai limestones of
Sulaiman Basin and Samanasuk limestones of
Kohat-Potwar Basin are promising for
exploration of fluorite, trackways of reptiles
(dinosaurs, pterosaurs, crocodiles, etc) and birds,
and petroleum. Malkani (2010a) discovered the
second largest deposits of fluorite (50,000 tons)
in Pakistan from Loalai District and surrounding
74
areas in Jurassic Loralai Limestone (Malkani et
al. 2016,2017).
Celestite: The celestite nodules are commonly
found in Eocene Kirthar (limestone shale) and
Gorag (mainly resistant peak forming limestone)
formations of Kirthar Group of Karkh area
(Malkani, 2010a;2012; Malkani and Mahmood
2016b). Malkani et al. (2017) also reported some
celestite showings/ small deposits in the Laki
thrusted anticline. The Kirthar Range has wide
exposures of Eocene Kirthar and Gorag
formations of Kirthar Group. The Laki Range
has wide exposures of Laki (Tyon is included)
Formation of Laki Group. Both groups (Kirthar
and Laki groups) may be searched for further
celestite exploration. As the Kirthar Group is
correlative to upper Laki limestone and also
Tiyon limestone which are also the host of
Thano Bula Khan celestite deposits.
Sulphur: Sanni (south of Dhadhar) and
Koh-i-Sultan (near Nokkundi) in Balochistan is
the main sulphur localities. Sanni deposit is
located in the foothills of Kirthar Range in the
south of Dhadhar town. The Sanni deposit (280
02’N; 670 27’E) is about 20km to the SW of
Sanni Village. It is 60km west of Bellpat railway
station and reached from there by a dirt road
which passes through Bagh and Shoran. The
mine was active to the prior to the visit of C.
Massn in 1943. In 1888 the mine caught fire and
collapsed. The shortage of sulphur early in
World War II promoted the Geological Survey
of India to reopen the mine. Seven audits were
started and works abandoned at 1942 due to
caving ground and poor ventilations. Three beds
of sulphur totaling 20feet in thickness and
containing from 32-68% sulphur were described
by Krishnaswamy in 1941. Each bed is
separated by 15feet of sandstone. Cotter (1919)
estimated an ore bed 11 feet thick and 1700,000
square feet in area and calculated 36,000 tons of
ore allowing 25% for mining losses. An estimate
(HSC, 1961) of 18,000 tons of reserves was
based on an assumed extent of ore 200 feet from
the face of the hill having thicknes of 10 feet.
The ore is controlled by competence of beds.
The sulphur is confined to porous and
breecciated zones, joints and bedding planes in
soft argillaceous sandstone. The tar or martha
was noted in the lower working representing a
genetic association of petroleum and sulphur.
The hydrogen sulphide gas migrated and
deposited by oxygen bearing water precipitated
sulphur. The gypsum bearing Eocene limestone
probably underlies the area. A gypsum layer 3-
4feet thick overlies the sulphur formation at
Sanni. Sulphur occurs as veins or as replacement
of sandstone matrix in the Nari Formation. The
ore contains 45% sulphur and the reserves are
estimated at about 58,000 tons (Muslim, 1973a).
Following minor showings of sulphur are also
reported. Laki Sulphur deposit (260 16’N; 670
57’E) was described by Vicary (1847) around
the vicinity of hot spring near the town of Laki
(Nagell, 1965). Gokurt sulphur deposit (290
33’N; 670 28’E) was reported by Tipper (1909)
in the Bolan Pass in massive limestone of Late
Cretaceous age. HSC (1961) shows the deposits
in the Eocene limestone. It is 50km north of
Sunni sulphur deposit.
Buildings, Construction and
Decorative Stones: Large reserves of
recrystallised limestone and marble occur widely
in the Western Kirthar Range and now it is being
used from the near road Kirthar Range. Marble
or Zidi limestone (Chiltan limestone) deposits
are found in Goru and other areas of Mula Zahri
Range, Khuzdar District. Further Paleocene
Dungan limestone of Karkh, Mandhre Jove (best
deposit) and Moola-Zahri (Mula Zahri) Ranges,
Khuzdar District, Balochistan. Several varieties
of fossiliferous limestone of Jurassic to Eocene
sequences in various parts of western Kirthar are
being mined and marketed under different
names. The private sector exclusively deals with
the production, processing and marketing of
marble and other decorative stones.
Gemstone and Jewelry Resources:
Gemstones and jewelry resources are growing
rapidly in Balochistan. Gemstones and jewelry
resources like jasper, chert, flint, onyx, fluorite,
etc production is growing rapidly in
Balochistan. Thick jasper, chert beds upto 1
meter thick and beautiful calcite veins upto 1 m
thick are found in Jurassic limestone of the
southern part of western range of Khad Kucha
valley, District Mastung and also found in Goru
and Parh limestone in Western Indus Suture and
also Khuzdar areas. The chert, flint, Jasper, etc
are found in the conglomerate, gritstone,
conglomeratic sandstone of Oligocene-
Holocene detritial rocks.
Others: Phosphate from Pabni Dhora to
Shah (Lasbela area) (Kazmi and Abbas, 2001)
75
and celestite in Eocene Kirthar and Gorag
formations of Kirthar Group of Karkh area
(Malkani, 2010) have been reported. The Kirthar
Foldbelt have some valleys and plain areas
inside, suitable for dam construction, and also
fore deep (Daman) of Kirthar Foldbet which
have much barren areas, indicate for urgent
dams construction. The Dams on Mula and Gaj
Nalas are urgent demand due to population
increase and also having barren areas for water
utilization. Ahmad (1962) reported the
bituminous residues known as Salajeet were
found in some parts of the Pab Sandstone in the
Khuzdar region
Mineral Resources of Eastern Kirthar Basin
(Laki Range and Surroundings), Sindh
Province
The Kirthar Basin consists of Kirthar
Foldbelt in the west and Sindh plain in the east.
The eastern part of Kirthar Foldbelt is situated
under the Territory of Sindh Province and
western part is situated under the territory of
Balochistan Province. The Sindh plain is located
under the territory of Sindh Province. Mineral
Potential of Kirthar Basin/Lower Indus
Basin/Southern Indus Basin under the territory
of Sindh Province is being described as below:
Abrasives: Abrasive type red ochre is found in
Eocene Sohnari beds, nodular flints between
Rohri and Kot diji; in west of Jhol Dhaund,
around Harmon Mohatta coal mine west of
Sohnari Dhand (west of Jhimpir), west of Ongar
Jhol Dhand (north of Thatta) and Sohnari 15km
east of Jhimpir; Grity Pab sandstone of Khadro
and Bara areas (can be used for abrasive
purposes); Quartz deposits of Cretaceous Pab
Formation from eastern slope of Lakhi Range
District Dadu (Ahmad 1969).
Alum, Trona (Source of Na) and
Potash Salts: Alum, Trona (source of Na) and
potash salts associated with rock salt deposits
and lakes are found in the vicinity of Sindh
coastal areas (Malkani and Mahmood 2016a).
Alum from pyritiferous shales of Gajbeds from
Maki Nai, shales of Ranikot Group and Nari/Gaj
Group and at Shah Hassan near Trimi (Heron
1954).
Celestite: The Thano Bula Khan
celestite deposits (Bogue 1961) occur as
celestite-calcite veins along a major fault in the
Eocene Laki Formation in the northern vicinity
of Thano Bula Khan. The ore contains 98.75%
SrSo4 and the reserves are 320,000 tones
(Moosvi, 1973).
Gypsum: Gypsum has multi-uses like
soil conditioning, cement resources,
construction materials, etc. Alizai et al. (2000)
reported 10.4mt gypsum in three beds ranging in
thickness from 0.33 to 0.93m occurs in
Oligocene-Miocene Gaj shales near Johi and
Khairpur Nathan Shah areas of Dadu District.
Gypsum upto 1m thick are found at many places
in Thar Desert.
Heavy Mineral Concentrates:
Tungston/sheelite, gold and other heavy mineral
concentrates (magnetite, ilmenite, garnet, epidote,
zircon, tourmaline, amphibole/hornblende and
tremolite, apatite, pyroxene, etc) from placer in the
Indus river and molase rocks like Vihowa Group,
Manchar Group and recent sea; Zircon from the
shore areas, gold (can be explored) from Nagar
Parker and Indus placer.
Iron Ore: Iron, laterite and ochre
reported from Lakhra, Thatta (Ahmad 1954),
Meting and Makli hills, Nagar Parker, Jhal
Dhand, Sohnari Dhand, and Noriabad (Ahsan
2006;); Nari Formation and in Manchar/Vihowa
Group in the Eastern Kirthar Foldbelt; in Sindh
lateritic clay and ochre, pockets of limonite and
ochre are found in Eocene Sohnari Formation at
Lakhra, Meting and Makli hills (Kazmi and
Abbas 2001).
Pyrite: Pyrite is found as disseminated
in carbonaceous shale and coal strata at different
places.
Gemstone and Jewelry Resources:
Gemstones like agate and chalcedony from
Nagar Parker, chert, flint and Jasper from
Vihowa Group/Manchar Group especially from
the conglomerate, gritstone, conglomeratic
sandstone of Manchar/Vihowa Group of Eastern
Kirthar and Lakhi Range and other areas. So far
flint stone is being produced from Sindh.
Agromineral Resources: These may be
found in Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments of
Kirthar Foldbelt regions.
Cement Raw Material Resources:
Cement raw materials like limestones and shales
of different age are found as large quantity in
Sind Province while gypsum deposits are very
small and limited. However very large/ huge
deposits of gypsum (Malkani 2010a,2011a;
Malkani and Mahmood 2016a) are found in
76
Sulaiman Foldbelt which is located just north of
Sindh Province.
Ceramic Mineral Resources: Various
types of Clay deposits are found in
Chamalang/Ghazij, Kirthar and
Vihowa/Manchar Groups. Ceramic Mineral
Resources/clays found from Laki, Kirthar and
Vihowa/Manchar Groups; China clay from
Nagar Parkar and Islamkot Thar, Dhed Vero,
Parodhoro, Karkhi, Dungri, Motijo, Vandio,
Ramji-jo-Vandio, and Didwa-Surachand areas;
China clays from Nagar Parker area; Fuller’s
earth from Thano Bulla Khan (Dadu District)
and Shadi Shahid (Khairpur; near Jheruk and
Rohri and at Begamji; Fire clay from Dadu
District, Sohnari Dhand/Jhimpir; Laki Group,
Ranikot Group and Vihowa/Manchar Group of
Eastern Kirthar Foldbelt;
China Clay: It is formed due to
alteration of feldspars. GSP has discovered and
studied in detail the Shah Dheri, Nagar Parkar
and Islamkot deposits (Moosvi et al. 1974; Kella
1983; Griffith 1987; Jafry undated). In Nagar
Parker it occurs as several large pockets which
occur in a plain area at shallow depths a few cm
to 2m depth. The deposits are largely covered
by a thin cover of soil. Deposits occur at Dhed
Vero, Parodhoro, Karkhi, Dungri, Motijo,
Vandio, Ramji-jo-Vandio, and Didwa-
Surachand area. Laboratory studies have shown
that the alteration of feldspar into kaolinite is
complete. It is coarse grained and 31-40%
particle are below 3 microns and 12.3 to 19.1%
below 2 microns. X-Ray analysis shows that the
Kaolinite and quartz are the major constituents
with some gypsum, calcite, and dolomite, with
traces of zircon, rutile, hematite and
amphiboles. Different thermal analyses show a
large exothermic peak between 9700 C and 9900
further confirming that kaolinite is the major
constituents. The measured reserves are 3.6mt
(Kella, 1983). The Nagar clay contains upto
2.56% CaO, which is however reduced to1.31%
on washing. The raw and washed chemical
composition of Nagar Parker China Clay
deposit show SiO2 66.46%, 46.06%; Fe2 O3
0.38%, 0.85%; TiO2 0.86%, not analyzed; Al2 O3
21.57%, 35.70%; CaO 2.56%, 1.31%; MgO
0.34%, 0.34%; Na2 O 0.05%, 0.15%; K20
0.21%, 0.21%, and loss on ignition 14.23%
respectively (Griffith, 1987). Beneficiation
studies show that the Nagar clay separates easily
from quartz, calcite, dolomite, gypsum, etc by
simple washing and there is high recovery of
kaolinite 88-95% when sieved through 240
mesh. Drilling for evaluation of Thar coal has
revealed large deposits of China clay in
Islamkot area. The clay occurs in beds 0.4m to
7.1m thick, overlying and underlying the coal
beds. The clay has been encountered at depth
133 to 201m. The estimated reserves are 20mt
in Islamkot area (Jafry, undated; Kazmi and
Abbas 2001). Smaller deposits found from Dir,
Hazara and Gilgit also. So far China clay is
being produced from KPK and Sindh.
Fire Clay: It is resistant to shrinkage,
abrasion and corrosion under high temperature and
withstands thermal spalling. It is very low in iron
oxide content <2% and high in alumina (24-45%).
It is mostly associated with the coal bearing strata.
It is also found from Dadu District. These are
residual sedimentary deposits generally found at
the base of Eocene Sohnari Formation of Laki
Group from Sindh.
Fuller’s Earth/ Bentonite: The
Khairpur deposits show SiO2 49.6%, 46.20%;
Fe2 O3 6.66%, 8.76%; Al2 O3 11.94%, 22.86%;
CaO 9.12%, 2.43%; MgO 3.13%, 1.94%; Na2 O
0.25%, 1.25%; K20 1.94%, 2.62%; and loss on
ignition 16.18% and 12.65% respectively
(Ahmad et al., 1987). In Sindh the Thano Bulla
Khan (Dadu District) and Shadi Shahid
(Khairpur) is main producer. Fuller’s earth is
formed in the flood plains of Tertiary river
channels which also deposited coal in Pakistan.
In recent years it is being utilized in oil refining
and other industries in the country. With
activation this clay may be used in vegetable oil
and ghee industries. It is also being used in
insecticide, foundries and steel industries. Its
demands are being increased. It is being
produced from Punjab, Sindh and KPK.
Silica Sand: It is found from Meting to
Jhimpir railway stations and in Eocene and
Oligocene strata near Thano Bula Khan in Dadu
District and Jangshahi deposits. Large deposits of
silica sands are found in the Eocene and Oligocene
strata near Thano Bula Khan in Dadu District.
Pakistan steel alone used 80,000 tons annually
from Thano Bula Khan. The demand of silica sand
is likely to increase in the production of iron and
steel and with expansion of glass and other user
industries (Kazmi and Ahmad 2001).
77
Construction, Dinension and
Decorative Stone Resources: Large reserves of
limestone/marble occur widely in the Kirthar and
Laki Ranges and now it is being used from the
near road Kirthar Range. Several varieties of
fossiliferous limestone of Paleocene to Eocene
sequences in various parts of Sindh are being
mined and marketed under different names. The
private sector exclusively deals with the
production, processing and marketing of marble
and other decorative stones from Laki Range and
surroundings, Thar desert and different type of
granites and dolerite dikes with metamorphic
rocks from Nagar Parker.
Coal Resources-Promising Subsurface
Extension
Thar Coalfields: Thar coalfield is
among the largest coalfields of world. Thar
Coalfields host 175,506mt which puts Pakistan
amongst the 7th largest lignite deposits of
world. This coalfield is spread over 9000 km2
with 140km N-S and 65km E-W extension
(40L/1, 2, 5, 6). About 410km metalled road
upto Mithi from Karachi via Hyderabad-
Mirpurkhas-Naukot and also via Thatta-Badin-
Naukot to Mithi is available. From Mithi to the
coalfield, sandy track is covered by 4*4
vehicles. The area is semi arid with low rainfall.
The coalfield rests on Pre-Cambrian Shield
rocks and is covered by sand dunes. The coal
thickness varies from 0.20-22.81m. There are
maximum 20 coal seams. The most common
depth is 150-203m. The overburden varies from
114-245m above the top coal seam. The
claystone is the roof and floor rock. There are 4
blocks. The reserves of Block-I show 3566mt
with detail as 620mt measured, 1918mt
indicated and 1028 inferred. Block-II shows
1584mt with 640mt measured and 944mt
indicated whereas Block-III shows 2006mt with
411mt measured, 1337mt indicated and 258mt
inferred reserves. Finally, Block-IV shows 2559
mt with 637mt measured, 1640mt indicated and
282mt inferred reserves with rest of Thar
coalfield showing 165,791mt with a detail of
392mt measured, 3556mt indicated and
49138mt inferred reserves. The grand total of
Thar coalfield reserves is 175,506mt with
2700mt measured, 9395mt indicated, 50706
inferred, 112,705mt hypothetical reserves. The
coal is formed from herbaceous plants (reed),
does not reveal a warm climate in the past and
also indicate little fluctuation in water-table.
The low ash and low sulphur show raised peat
bogs and acidic environments. The marine
fossils interfingerings with terrestrial coal show
transgression and regressions of sea. The
drainage pattern was smaller and delta was
reworked by waves to produce barriers for
broad peat blankets. The thick coal seam with
low ash and sulphur indicate stable upper delta
environments (Fassett and Durani 1994; Jaleel
et al. 1999; Ghaznavi, 2002).
Lakhra Coalfield: Lakhra Coalfields
(Dadu district) shows 1.3bt of coal discovered
by GSP. The coal is found in the Paleocene Bara
Formation. The environment is marine,
lacustrine, estuarine, deltaic and lagoonal
deposits containing plant fossils and
carbonaceous beds at several horizons
(Ghaznavi, 2002). The coal is found in the
gentle Lakhra anticline. All the coal is found in
shallow depth 50 to 150m. A large number of
coal seams are encountered in drill hole but only
3 coal seams namely Dhanwari, Lalian and Kath
are significant. The Lailan seam has persistent
thickness (0.75-2.5m with aver. 1.5m) for
mining. About 369 drill holes have been drilled
so far. This coal has high contents of ash and
sulphur. Most of the sulphur is pyritic (70%)
whereas 25% is organic. Rank of coal is lignite
B to sub bituminous C. Its heating value varies
5503-9452 (mmmf). The coal is dull black and
contains a lot of resin. The moisture content is
27%. It is often susceptible to spontaneous
combustion (Ghani et al. 1973; Japanese Intern.
Coop. Agency 1981; Schweinfurth and Hussain
1988). Ahmed et al. (1986) estimated 300mt.
Ghaznavi (2002) estimated 1,328mt with 244mt
measured, 629mt indicated and 455mt inferred.
Mineable reserves are 60% of the measured
reserves. The coal is being used for brick kiln,
power generation and cement factories.
Sonda-Thatta-Jherruck (Hjerruck,
Ongar, Indus East and Badin) Coalfields:
Most of the coal deposits are of Bara Formation.
10 coal zones have been recognised. Each zone
shows 1-5 coal seams which are 5-10m apart
with 0.5-15m thickness of each zone. The
maximum coal thickness is 2.40m and minimum
coal thickness is 0.07m. Sohnari Formation
shows a few relatively thin (09.34m) coal
seams. It is deposited in lower delta plain with
reed marsh in oxic-anoxic conditions. The
78
swamp seams indicate low water-table with dry
and high degradational environments in the past
(Schweinfurth and Hussain 1988; Hassan 1989).
These coalfields show in place total resources
(alongwith Ongar and Indus east) of about
5,789mt with 129mt measured, 758mt indicated
and 4902mt inferred reserves. Whilst resources
with 0.6m cut off grade is 3766mt with detail as
85mt measured, 495mt indicated and 3186mt
inferred. The Jherruk area show thickest coal
seams and is the extension of Sonda coalfield.
The total resources of Jherruk block is 1.8bt and
over 1.2bt with 0.6m cut off grade. The
resources of Jherruk block is 1823mt with
106mt measured, 810mt indicated and 907mt
inferred whereas the reserves are (0.6m cut off
grade) 1282mt with 75mt measured, 572mt
indicated and 635mt inferred. The Ongar
Coalfields, Indus East Coalfields and Badin
Coalfields have reserves of 312mt, 1777m and
850mt respectively.
Meting-Jhimpir Coalfields: Meting-
Jhimpir Coalfields (Thatta district) is 125km
east of Karachi on the vicinity of Meting and
Jhimpir railway stations. Railway line runs on
the western limit of the Karachi-Hyderabad
highway limit with the eastern boundary of
coalfields. It is found in the Early Eocene
Sohnari Formation of Laki Group. There is 1
coal seam (0.3-1m with aver 0.6m) which is thin
and lenticular. The dips are gentle with 100
west, the ash and sulphur contents are relatively
low, ranks are lignite A to sub bituminous C
whilst the composition splits into moisture at
26.6-36.6%, volatile matter at 25.2-34%, fixed
carbon between 24.1 and 32.2%, ash at 8.2-16.8,
sulphur 2.9-5.1% and heating value 6725-
7660BTU/lb (Ahmed et al. 1986) with total
reserves of 161mt detailed as 10mt measured,
43mt indicated and 108mt inferred reserves.
Small scale mining is in progress.
Petroleum Resources: Oil resources
are frequently being developed from upper
Indus basin, while gas resources are being
developed from Middle and Lower Indus Basin.
Kirthar Basin (Southern/Lower Indus) consists
of exposed Mesozoic to Recent rocks (Malkani
2010a,2012k; Malkani and Mahmood 2016b)
more than 15km thick. However the Nagar
Parker area contains Precambrain Ignesous
rocks of Indo-Pak Shield. Kirthar Basin consists
of Kirthar fold and thrust belts, Jacobabad-
Khairpur high/horst (Sukkur Rift), Kirthar
depressions and Sindh monocline. The main
reservoir rocks in Sindh monocline are
Cretaceous Mekhtar Sandstone/Mekhtar
Formation (Lower Goru sandstone) and from
Karachi Depressions production is from
Paleocene Ranikot Group limestone and
sandstone. The Cretaceous Mekhtar
Sandstone/Mekhtar Formation (commonly
called Lower Goru sandstone) was named by
Malkani (2010a) as member but Malkani and
Mahmood (2016b) upgraded it as Mekhtar
Formation (Mekhtar Sandstone) for sandstone
well exposed in Mekhtar (Loralai District) and
Murgha Kibzai (District Zhob), Balochistan
(Sulaiman Foldbelt). It is found in subsurface in
Sindh as Lower Goru sandstone. In Kirthar
depressions and Jacobabad-Khairpur
high/Sukkur rift zone it may be from Eocene
Habib Rahi and Paleocene Dungan/Lakhra
limestone. This Basin contains best reservoir
(sandstone/limestone), source (mostly shale)
and cap rocks (shale).
Radioactive Mineral Resources: The
primary (uranium, may be thorium, etc) and
secondary (uranophane, metatyuyamunite,
carnotite, etc) are found in fluviatile cross
bedded sandstones/placer of Manchar Group, as
derived from igneous rocks of Northern
Pakistan.
Geothermal Energy Resources: Some
hot springs may be found in Kirthar Foldbelt but
not economic so far.
Water Resources and Dam
Constructions: Water resources of the Sindh
Province are too much but needs its utilization.
It has many valleys and plain areas inside, have
many larger fans and surrounding plain lands
for cultivation, suitable for many smaller and
also larger dam construction, and also fore deep
(Daman) of Kirthar Foldbelts which have much
barren areas, demands for urgent dams
construction. Many gorges are also suitable for
smaller dam for water storage for cultivation
and population which can play best for the
development of the area. In short, the barren
areas can be converted into cultivation and
vegetation by some efforts. Water resources
wasting as flood suggests for small dams
construction especially in Kirthar and its Daman
areas which holds its vast plain areas. Water
79
resources have also large potential in alluvial
and bed rocks (Malkani 2012a).
Natural Resources: The minerals, coal,
oil, natural gas, etc are non-renewable resources
while the solar, air/wind, terrestrial water,
marine water/ocean, tides, waves, current, land,
biomass, etc are renewable (recycled) resources.
It is our urgent need to convert the non
conventional energy resources into conventional
energy resources. Kirthar land is receiving huge
amount of energy from sun. The coastal areas
have high potential of wind energy.
Gravitational force of moon produces tidal
energy in sea which can be converted in energy
by the construction of dams which can store
water at high tides and release water at low
tides. Sindh has a long sea shore from Nagar
Parker to west of Karachi. Energy from sea
waves can also be benefited by stable and non
stable plate’s movements. Sindh also has a large
waste biomass.
MINERAL RESOURCES OF INDUS
OFFSHORE
Pakistan has a long sea with Indus and
Makran onshore and offshore regions. The Indo-
Pak Sea and their offshore can be explored for
economic minerals. The sea mund may be
explored for manganese nodules containing
zinc, copper, silica, nickel, cobalt and
phosphates. According to Roonwal (1986) the
common salt, magnesium and bromine have
long been extracted from sea water. Sand and
gravel, tin bearing sands, magnetite sands and
calcium carbonate are already being mined.
According to Roonwal (1986) as traditional
mineral deposits become depleted and
technological developments make ocean mining
more feasible. In sea there is no need of
removing overburden. The marine minerals are
open deposits lying on sea floor and continental
slopes, etc. The shallow sea contains relatively
large thichness of placers while the deep sea
which contains very low thickness of muds. The
sea beds of Indian ocean contains a variety of
exploitable resources ranging from beach sand
and gravel, through heavy minerals associated
with beach deposits of phosphorite and
manganese nodules to subsurface petroleum
reserves. The marine minerals may be explored
by simple technology like under water
photography, inexpensive coring and sampling.
The manganese nodule survey need a simple
free ball grabs system for sampling, estimating
and photographing. The methods are available
for shallow areas while deep water areas need
special technology. The marine minerals are
present in all parts of the ocean while metallic
minerals containg zinc, lead, copper, cobalt,
nickel occur in mid oceanic ridge systems and
deep ocean plains away from continents. The
smelter for these deposits is also worth. The
Pacific floor is estimated 1.5 trillion tons of
manganese nodules which are also rich in
copper, cobalt, nickel, and other metals
(Roonwal 1986). Likwise Indo-Pak ocean floor
may have also significant manganese nodules,
so try should be made. In many cases both
onshore and offshore can yield best results.
Mineral Resources of Nagar Parker (A
Remnant of Indo-Pak Shield), Sindh
Province
Potash/Orthoclase Feldspar: The
potash and sodic feldspar occur widespread in
Nagar Parker area of southeastern Sindh
Province.
Construction, Dinension and
Decorative Stone Resources: Different type and
varicolour granites and other plutonic igneous
(dolerite, etc) along with some metamorphic rocks
are found in Nagar Parker Igneous Complex area
(Kazmi et al. 1972) which are significant for
construction and dimension stone resources.
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