CSS Pakistan Affairs | Pakistan’s Geo-Strategic Importance
The following question of CSS Pakistan Affairs is solved by Dr. Arzoo Fatima under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs Coaches. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved past paper question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and 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.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-An Overview of the geographic location of Pakistan
3-Geo-Strategic importance of Pakistan
3.1-Geo-strategic importance with South-Western border
3.2-Geo-strategic importance with North-Western border
3.3-Geo-strategic importance with Eastern border
3.4-Geo-strategic importance with Northern Border
4-The impacts of Pakistan’s geo-strategic location on development of its social and political institutions
4.1. Positive development
- ✓ CPEC’s progressing infrastructure
- Evidence: ‘The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor scheme, which is being demonstrated as a ‘Game-Changer, acts as a bridge connecting the South Asian subcontinent with Central Asia.
- ✓Gwadar port making the country an economic hub
- Evidence: The Pakistan-China corridor is a vital component of the $900 billion Belts and Road Initiative, with Gwadar serving as China’s ultimate destination.
- ✓Gap Pipeline between Trans countries, which is the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI)
- Evidence: As stated by the National Statistics Bureau, the heart of Iran is home to the world’s largest gas reservoir. With an impressive emission of almost 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas, it is a vital source of economic intercommunication between numerous Trans-countries.
- ✓ Energy cooperation between Iran and Pakistan through gas pipeline
- Evidence: Minister of Petroleum Musadiq Malik said it is the world’s second-largest gas reserves, amounting to 33 trillion cubic meters, second only to Russia, significantly impact the economy, energy security, and regional relations of Pakistan.
4.2-Negative development
- ✓Soviet invasion in Afghanistan created security concerns.
- Evidence: The UN monitoring team, which tracks terror groups from 6000 to 6500 ranges, Afghanistan militant groups were posing a threat to Pakistan from their bases
- ✓Border dispute between Pakistan and India initiating security concerns
- Evidence: The Indian government enforced the Revocation of Article 370, viewed as a “grave injustice” to Pakistan
- ✓Water disputes between Pakistan and India
- Evidence: According to the UN, “Increasing water demand, coupled with climate change impacts, creates the potential for transboundary water disputes in several parts of the world“.
- ✓ Baluchistan is surrounded by humanitarian crisis due to CPEC.
- Evidence: A researcher’s statement in the Dawn newspaper highlights the profound impact on the lives of Balochis, who depend on fisheries for their sustenance, resulting in diminished special treatment for the indigenous community in terms of economic progress.
5-Critical Analysis
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
1-Introduction
Pakistan’s strategic importance is intricately linked to its position at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the CPEC is a $62 billion ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ scheme, which is being demonstrated as a ‘Game-Changer’, and it is a monumental infrastructure project that aims to connect Gwadar Port to China’s western region through a network of roads, railways, and pipelines. And Pakistan’s geographical location acts as a bridge connecting the South Asian subcontinent with Central Asia. Described by Stephen Cohn, “While history has been unkind to Pakistan, its geography has been its greatest benefit.” It marks how critically beneficial the country is in social, political, and economic ways. Pakistan, due to its strategic location, has a great impact on sharing borders, including Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran, making it a pivotal player in regional stability, trade routes, and global power dynamics, particularly in matters of security and energy interests. Thus, it plays a crucial role in the world politics for that country.
2-An overview of the Geo-graphical status of Pakistan
Taking a glance of Pakistan’s geostrategic location, the country is located in a region where it has been a hub of activities of great powers for many years. The intervention of three great powers, i.e., Britain, USSR, and the USA. According to Rimland’s theory, geographical importance is determined by the topography, natural resources, and access to warm water. It means who controls the Rimland rules Eurasia, and who rules Eurasia controls the world’s destinies by Nicholas J. Spykenon. Its significance was further enhanced during the Cold War when it became an ally of the US in containing the end of the USSR.
“The foreign policy of a country is determined by its geography.”
Napoleon
3-Geo-strategic importance with South-Western Border
Analyzing the geostrategic importance of Pakistan with the Western border, the trade significance of Pakistan’s border with Iran in the southwest cannot be overstated due to the country’s abundance of oil and gas. Similarly, the northwestern border provides access to the natural resource-rich Central Asian Republics. The narrow strip of Afghanistan, known as Wakhan, between Tajikistan and Pakistan, can benefit all countries involved in trade if utilized as a transit route. Lastly, the relationship between Pakistan and India along the eastern border is crucial to regional dynamics. The direct free trade agreement is promoted between two countries just like the European Union, in which a free trade route operates and promotes the traditional geo-graphic importance of India if the significant conflicts between the two states are resolved. Further, China offers an additional significant pathway for Chinese products to enter Pakistan. With the largest consumer market, it has become the top exporter of products worldwide. Additionally, China possesses cutting-edge technological advancements and direct access to the global market.
4-The impacts of Pakistan’s geo-strategic location on the development of its social and political institution
4.1-Positive Development
- ✓The Corridor between China and Pakistan CPEC
First, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, has a value of $62 billion. This initiative is a significant game changer, as it aims to link Gwadar Port to different regions in China through railways and roads. Pakistan’s strategic geographical position dramatically influences South and Central Asia’s connectivity. The project is crucial in facilitating regional trade, energy, and connectivity routes. The strategic partnership serves mutual interests, including countering regional challenges and enhancing their geopolitical influence in South Asia and beyond.
- ✓Gwadar Port making the country an Economic Hub
Second, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), an integral part of Beijing’s $900 billion Belt and Road Initiative and Gwadar, became the ultimate point from one of the six economic corridors proposed by China as it connects the Chinese city of Kashgar to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, providing China access to the Arabian Sea and, subsequently, the Indian Ocean. And Gwadar is a port that links three significant regions: South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It serves as a hub for oil and gas resources and trade opportunities. Both countries have worked together and promoted regional stability.
- ✓Gap Pipeline between Trans countries, which is the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI)
Third, TAPI is a project of Asian Development Funds. Pakistan is gaining benefits from Central Asian countries due to its strategic location. It underscores the importance of Pakistan, which has to depend on it to acquire the natural resources of Central Asian Republics (CARs). As stated by the National Statistics Bureau, the heart of Iran is home to the world’s largest gas reservoir. With an impressive emission of almost 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas, it serves as a vital source of economic intercommunication between numerous Trans countries
- ✓Relationship with Iran
Lastly, the strategic significance of Pakistan’s ties with Iran is underscored by their shared border and mutual regional interests. Despite facing obstacles like international sanctions affecting energy projects, such as the gas pipeline, Iran and Pakistan have encountered difficulties like cross-border smuggling and insurgent activities in Baluchistan. The International Growth Centre states that Iran has the natural capacity to be ranked as the world’s second-largest gas reservoir, with a 33 trillion cubic meters range. This significantly impacts Pakistan’s relations with Iran and the economic zone. Hence, this highlighted the geo-strategic importance of Pakistan in terms of Iran.
4.2-Negative Impacts
- ✓Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
On the negative side, Pakistan has played an intricate role in Afghanistan. Numerous accusations have been made regarding its assistance to the Afghan Taliban, despite its collaboration with the global community on counterterrorism initiatives. The invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979 posed a significant threat to its national security. Furthermore, it offered Pakistan a crucial opportunity to back dissidents. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2022, Pakistan has remained one of the most affected countries and accounts for 4% of the total death score by terrorism. Moreover, the UN monitoring team, which tracks terror groups from 6000 to 6500 ranges, Afghanistan militant groups were posing a threat to Pakistan from their bases. Pakistan’s use of proxy militant groups, like the Haqqani Network, has strained its relationship with Western allies. Therefore, the country has struggled to control its porous border with Afghanistan, which has facilitated the movement of militants.
- ✓Border dispute between Pakistan and India initiating security concerns
Next, the territorial dispute over the Jammu and Kashmir region continues to define the hostility between the neighbours. Three wars have been fought over the Kashmir region. Both countries have developed nuclear weapons and their delivery systems to strengthen their respective postures. A consequence of nuclearization has been freezing the conflict and near-permanence of the status quo. The Indian government decided to revoke Article 370, thereby eliminating the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. This brutal action stripped Kashmir of its authority to govern its property and compelled Kashmiris to adhere to Indian laws and, as a result of this, significantly reduced their autonomy. The move hence not only incited anger among Kashmiris but was also condemned as an injustice by Pakistan.
- ✓Water Dispute between Pakistan and India
Further, Pakistan seriously lacks in capacity vis-à-vis India in terms of strategic capabilities. A demand for renegotiation of the Indus Water treaty will send jitters through the ranks of Pakistani Elites. In the UN Security Council debate on climate and water scarcity, Pakistan once again emphasized the need for strict adherence to the Indus Water Treaty: “Increasing water demand, coupled with climate change impacts, creates the potential for transboundary water disputes in several parts of the world”. Moreover, the water which Pakistan is not entitled to should be directed to other regions in India so that it does not flow into Pakistan. There is a tendency to enhance the powerful agricultural community in Pakistan. So, it can give India substantial leverage against Pakistan.
- ✓Baluchistan is surrounded by humanitarian crisis due to CPEC
Finally, Pakistan has a deep-sea port in Gwadar, which China utilizes to enhance its trade routes to the Middle East, reducing transit times. The statement made by a researcher in the Dawn newspaper highlights the profound impact on the lives of Balochis, who depend on fisheries for sustenance. Establishing seaports and related ventures tends to draw in outside labourers and investors, resulting in diminished special treatment for the indigenous community regarding economic progress. Therefore, many Balochis initially expressed their concerns regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, as they view it as a potential challenge to their means of sustenance, which serves as their main economic foundation.
5-Critical Analysis
Pakistan has an excellent geo-strategic importance, but unfortunately, it is facing geo-strategic inertia due to the energy crisis. Terrorism and political instability are hurdles in Pakistan’s way of achieving the benefits accruing to it based on its location. Pakistan’s geo-strategic importance will be promoted if it can get rid of this inertia. Moreover, Pakistan has traditionally been an ally of the emerging economic giant China. So, in terms of any change in world politics, Pakistan’s geo-strategic significance would be enhanced further.
6-Conclusion
Pakistan’s strategic significance is rooted in its geographical location, economic potential, and security dynamics. Serving as a link between South Asia and Central Asia, it plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability. Furthermore, its alliances with major global players, such as China and the United States, highlight its importance on the world stage. Pakistan finds itself at a pivotal moment in history, standing at a crossroads of great significance. It needs visionary policies and practical steps to strengthen its position vis-à-vis the region through geo-economic and regional cooperation, trade promotion, and economic integration. Therefore, the stability in the region promotes regional collaboration, which highlights sustainable economic development, which, in turn, helps support economic growth in the country.
CSS Solved Past Papers’ Essays
Looking for the last ten years of CSS and PMS Solved Essays and want to know how Sir Kazim’s students write and score the highest marks in the essays’ papers? Then, click on the CSS Solved Essays to start reading them.
CSS Solved Essays
CSS Solved General Science & Ability Past Papers
Want to read the last ten years’ General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers to learn how to attempt them and to score high? Let’s click on the link below to read them all freely. All past papers have been solved by Miss Iqra Ali & Dr Nishat Baloch, Pakistan’s top CSS GSA coach having the highest score of their students. General Science & Ability Solved Past Papers
