Importance of Pakistan’s Location

Pakistan is one of those few countries in the world whose geographical and strategic
position is of immense importance.

Pakistan is a land of plains, mountain ranges, deserts and coastal belt. The country
shares its Eastern Border called ‘Radcliffe Line’ with India. On its Northern side, it has
Sino-Pak Border. Its Western fronts include the boundaries of ‘Durand Line’ with
Afghanistan and ‘Gold Smith Line’ with Iran. The Arabian Sea has limited the South of
the country. With the total area of 9,96096 km square, Pakistan emerges to be one of
the most significant geographical patches of Asia.
Pakistan is situated in the Asia continent between 24 and 35 Nlatitudes (north) and
61 and 78 longitudes (east). India is situated on Pakistan’s eastern border, China is
situated in the northeast, and Afghanistan is situated in the northwest.

In the north, only a narrow belt of about 22 km in Afghanistan separates Pakistan

from Tajikistan which is known as the Wakhan Corridor. In the west of Pakistan,
there is Iran and in the south, there is a big Arabian sea.

China is an emerging economic power of the world and for selling Chinese products
in western countries; China had the only route of Hong Kong. Whereas, through
Gwadar port, China has to cover the half distance for trade.

Feeling the geographical importance of Pakistan, China has started one of the biggest
world project called CPEC. This project is also called One Belt One Road (OBOR) Belt
Road Initiative (BRI) or Silk Road Economic Belt and it is also called 21st century
maritime Silk Road. It is a trillion-dollar project. Pakistan’s importance signifies from
this fact that so far 60 countries have become its part directly or indirectly and still
more countries are willing to join this mega project.
Pakistan and China jointly have constructed a long road known as Karakoram
Highway which connects both the countries and is known as the 8th wonder of the
world. This road is actually a trade link between 3 billion people of the region with
the rest of the world. Gwadar port which is perhaps the deepest port in the world is
equally is highly helpful for this trade. Pakistan has now 3 seaports from where
international trading activities take place; one is Karachi, second is port Qasim and
third is Gwadar.
Afghanistan has no sea and it always depends on Pakistan for international trades.
Central Asian states and Iran also feel the geographical importance of Pakistan and
therefore, the project of the gas pipeline has been started between Pakistan and
Central Asian states. There is also a project of gas pipeline origination from Iran which
links Pakistan and India.

Kashmir is the bone of contention between India and Pakistan and now China and
India too. If it is resolved then the whole region will elevate and Pakistan will meet its
true potential in accordance with its significant geographical and strategic positioning.
It is advisable for both the countries to abolish the idea of old enmity and start
spending billions of rupees on the welfare of their people through mutual trade
instead of spending big amount on the purchase of weapons.