CSS 2012 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Location of Pakistan: Advantages and Disadvantages
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs 2012 is solved by Miss Iqra Ali, the best Pakistan Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you to describe the physical/geographic features of the land of Pakistan. Also, he asked to narrate the advantages and disadvantages of its location. There is confusion in the question because first, the examiner stated that the Location of Pakistan has given strategic strength to the state. Then, he asked about its geographic features. So, answer the second part of the question while considering the first statement.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-From Mountains to Coastlines, The Physical Features of Pakistan
- ✓Mountains
- ✓Rivers and Plains
- ✓Plateau
- ✓Deserts
- ✓Coastlines
3-A Double Edge Sword, the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Geographic Location of Pakistan?
3.1- Advantages
- ✓ By Providing Natural Defense Barriers and Fertile Regions
- ✓ By Providing Economic and Trade Opportunities
3.2- Disadvantages
- ✓ Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
- ✓ Security Challenges and Landlocked Regions
4-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The geographical location of Pakistan has provided it strategic strength, influencing its politico-economic and defense-related importance in the South Asian region. Carved out of the Indian subcontinent, a colony of the British Empire, stretched to an area of 881,913 km2 and coastline of 1,046 km, bordered with Iran, India, Afghanistan, and China, the country came into being on 14th August 1947. Its physical geography has diverse landscapes, such as mountains, plateaus, rivers, plains, and deserts. The following points describe the advantages and disadvantages of the location of the country. First, the northern and western mountains act as natural barriers, playing a significant role in ensuring the state’s security. Second, the geographic location of the country provides economic and trade opportunities by giving access to China, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. Besides, the disadvantages include the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters because of its location at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Next, border disputes with India over the Kashmir issue remain a constant source of insecurity issues in the northern part of the country. Then, a border dispute with Afghanistan over the Durand line further adds fuel to insecurity issues in the southern part of the state. To conclude, the geographic location of the state provides opportunities on one hand and challenges on the other.
From Mountains to Coastlines, the Physical Features of Pakistan
The following point describes the physical features of the country.
- ✓Mountains
First, the northern mountains are one of the most dominant parts of the geographical landscape of the country. They include K2 (8611m) and Nanga Parbat (8126), one of the leading mountainous peaks in the world. Besides, they are part of the Hindu Kush and Himalayan Range that provide water sources to the country. In the North, Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Himalaya mountain ranges are present. Then, western mountains are present in the rugged terrain. The train transcends into the Baluchistan Platea. These mountains are part of the Suleiman and Kirthar Ranges, which are present in the west and southwest parts of the country.
- ✓Rivers and Plains
Second, the fertile Punjab and Sindh plains, along with the Indus River and its tributaries, are the heartland of the country. The tributaries of the Indus River include Jhelum, Sutlaj, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. The plains consist of Thar and Thal deserts. Further, the Indus Plain slopes from North to South and gradually down to the Arabian Sea.
- ✓Plateau
Third, the Baluchistan Plateau covers the western part of the country, located in the west of the Suleiman Kirthar Range and covered with hills and mountains. It is interspersed with rivers and basins, stretching southward from Chaman to the Arabian Sea. It consists of a rugged train and has a dry climate. It is rich in minerals, but arid conditions prohibited population settlement.
- ✓Deserts
Next, the country has four hot deserts and also a cold desert. The hot deserts consisted of Thar in Sindh, Cholistan, and Thal in Punjab, and the Kharan Desert in Baluchistan. Katpana Desert in Gilgit-Baltistan is a cold desert. The Thar Desert spans an area of 175,000 square kilometers and is the 16th largest desert on the planet and the third largest in Asia. It is located in the southeastern part of the state. It is extended to India and has limited water resources. However, agriculture in these areas is facilitated through irrigation networks.
- ✓Coastline
Last, the country has a 1046km long coastline along the Arabian Sea. The coastline extended from Sir Creek in Sindh to Jiwani in Baluchistan. Out of 1046km, 745km makes up Makran Coast. It is extended from Karachi in the east to Jiwani in the west. Geographically, it can be divided into five parts: Gawadar Coast, Lsela Coast, Karachi Coast, Thatta Coast, and Rann of Kutch. Coastal regions include the Sindh Coast (350km) and the Baluchistan Coast (770km). It includes Gawadar Port, Port Qasim, and Karachi Port.
A Double Edge Sword, the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Geographic Location of Pakistan?
The following points describe the advantages and disadvantages of the geographic location of the country.
Advantages of the Geographic Location of Pakistan
- ✓ By Providing Natural Defense Barriers and Fertile Regions
As I discussed, the presence of mountainous ranges in the geographical tapestry of the country, these mountains forms natural barriers and influences the security of the state. The northern and western mountains act as natural barriers, playing a vital part in ensuring the state’s security. However, their significance became limited in the wake of modern warfare. Apart from this, the fertile regions in the Indus River Plain support the agro-based economy of the country. In addition, the fertile regions allow the cultivation of diverse categories of crops. So, if properly managed along with abating the issue of water scarcity, it has the potential to attract foreign investment in the wake of food insecurity globally.
- ✓ By Providing Economic and Trade Opportunities
Second, the geographic location of the country provides it with economic and trade opportunities. For example, the Gawadar Port gave access to the Arabian Sea, making the country a leading player in international trade, especially to the China Belt and Road Initiative financed China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Then, the Silk Route and Karakorum Highway connect the country to China. Thus, it enhances the prospects of trade. Last, the Baluchistan Plateau and Thar Desert are abundant in mineral resources, such as coal and natural gas. In the northern river, there is potential for energy generation from renewables, such as hydropower generation.
Disadvantages of the Geographic Location of Pakistan
- ✓ Vulnerable to Natural Disasters
First, the disadvantages include the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters because of its location at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The movement of these plates causes seismic activity. As a result, frequent earthquakes happen in the Hindu Kush and Himalayan regions. The major fault lines include the Chaman fault in Baluchistan, the main boundary thrust in the Himalayan Region (Azad Kashmir, northern Punjab, KPK), and the Ornach-Nal fault in Baluchistan. Then, subduction in the Makran Coast also caused earthquakes, and the region has great tsunami risk due to underwater earthquakes. For illustration, an earthquake hit Baluchistan in 2013, causing life losses of about 800 people. During monsoon, there is a threat of floods due to heavy rains and glacier melting, landslides, and cyclones. For example, a massive flood in 2022 caused a life loss of approximately 1700 people and affected about 33 million people. In coastal areas, there is the probability of weather conditions like cyclones and sea erosion.
- ✓ Security Challenges and Landlocked Regions
Next, border disputes with India over the Kashmir issue remain a constant source of insecurity issues in the northern part of the country. Then, a border dispute with Afghanistan over the Durand line further adds fuel to insecurity issues in the southern part of the state. Besides, the landlocked northern and western provinces, especially in KPK, Gilgit Baltistan, and Baluchistan, rely on Gawadar and Karachi ports for trade because of the lack of direct access to the sea. It makes imports and exports more expensive, and along with the instability of the ports, these factors impact the economy.
Conclusion
To conclude, the geographic location of the state provides opportunities on one hand and challenges on the other. Its physical geography has diverse landscapes, such as mountains, plateaus, rivers, plains, and deserts. The following points describe the advantages and disadvantages of the geographic location of the country. First, the northern and western mountains act as natural barriers, playing a vital part in ensuring the security of the state. Second, the geographic location of the country provides it with economic and trade opportunities. However, the disadvantages include the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters because of its location at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Next, border disputes with India over the Kashmir issue remain a constant source of insecurity issues in the northern part of the country. Then, a border dispute with Afghanistan over the Durand line further adds fuel to insecurity issues in the southern part of the state.
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