Modern Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Back to Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Though the geography of the country is same, the interpretations of interests linked with it have improved a bit with the changing regional and international dynamics. This can be evaluated under the following new heads:

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
The $46 billion 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' scheme, which is being demonstrated as a 'Game-Changer' is more than a network of roads to link Chinese city of Kashgar with the Gulf States via Gwadar of Pakistan. CPEC is a complete package of energy projects and trade opportunities for Pakistan. It is the most cherished fruit of Pakistan's geographical importance the country ever had. However, some credit also goes to the foreign policy makers of Pakistan who always kept into considerations the Sino-Pak mutual interests.

In the wake of CPEC, China is going to have the shortest route-access ever available to the Middle Eastern, African, and European markets. For Pakistan, it might be a new gain but to China, this access is a link to it long term strategic plan to take over US control in the said regions.

Gwadar port is the nearest warm-water port to energy-rich Central Asian Countries
Bought from Oman in 1958, Gwadar has been developed into a warm-water seaport which now operated by a Chinese company named 'China Overseas Port Holding Company' under a 43 years agreed lease. The port is the soul of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Being the nearest deep-sea port to the landlocked Central Asian Republics, Gwadar is another manifestation of Pakistan's geographical importance.

The Persian Gulf and Pars Gas Field
Pakistan's Gwadar Port provides access to the 'Gulf of Oman' which extends via 'Strait of Hormuz' to form the 'Persian Gulf'. This gulf is surrounded by Iran, UAE, Saudi Araba, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. Access to the Persian Gulf via Gwadar port means access to all these countries most of which are rich in energy resources. The Persian Gulf also has the world's largest natural gas reservoir 'Pars Gas Field' shared by Iran and Qatar. Pakistan's geographic importance increases due to its proximity to such mega-fields of natural resources when the country has been suffering from energy starvation for long periods of time.

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI)
The Asian Development Bank's funded project of TAPI is the name of a gas pipeline which aims to supply natural gas from the Caspian Sea to the four countries mentioned above. Pakistan due to its geographical nearness to this Central Asian Republic is seeking benefit from the project. It also reflects the dependence of India on Pakistan for having access to the natural resources of Central Asian Republics. The construction of the project commenced in December 2015, and it will be functional by 2019.

Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline
Also known as the 'Peace Pipeline' the project is another fruit of Pakistan's geographic importance. The pipeline project was formally inaugurated in 2013, but it's far from being operational due to several controversies. Particularly the anti-Iran stance of the USA influenced Pakistan to abandon the project. Things, however, have changed after the US-Iran Nuclear Deal and Iran is no more under enormous sanctions. Pakistan at the same time never utterly gave up the project. Good omens are apparent for the future of this project.

Pakistan shares Marine Border with Oman
Pakistan and Oman settled their maritime under an agreement in 2000; adhering to the International Law of Sea. This sharing of a maritime boundary with the brotherly country of Oman can interpret Pakistan's geographical importance in the sense of access to Oman's undersea energy resources. The sea route can also be used to have access to the Persian Gulf and its littoral states.