Geography of Pakistan

The Geography of Pakistan features a diverse array of landscapes, including plains, deserts, forests, and plateaus, extending from the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean in the south to the towering mountains of the Karakoram, Hindukush, and Himalayas in the north. Geologically, Pakistan straddles both the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, with its Sindh and Punjab provinces located on the northwestern corner of the Indian plate. In contrast, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and most of the region known as Pakistan illegally occupied Jammu-Kashmir (Gilgit-Baltistan) fall within the Eurasian plate, which includes the Iranian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau to the north.

Pakistan shares borders with Iran to the west, Afghanistan to the northwest, China to the northeast through Pakistan illegally occupied Jammu-Kashmir, Republic of India to the east, and the Arabian Sea to the south. The nation is situated in a geopolitically sensitive area characterised by hostile regional boundaries, marked by territorial disputes and historical tensions, notably the Kashmir conflict with India, which has resulted in several military confrontations between the two countries.

The western borders of Pakistan feature significant passes such as the Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, which have historically served as vital migration and trade routes connecting Central Eurasia with Indian Subcontinent. These routes have facilitated cultural exchanges, military invasions, and commercial activities for centuries.

Regional Classification

The classification of Pakistan within the Indian subcontinent continues to provoke debate and controversy due to its complex historical, geographical, ethnic, and cultural ties to India, as well as its connections to Central Asia and the Middle East. Many in Pakistan view their country as a blend of Indian subcontinental, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures, arguing against a strict classification that solely situates them within the Indian subcontinent. Such rigid categorisations are often seen as contributing to ethnic tensions among different communities within the country, as they may undermine the recognition of their diverse heritage.

A notable illustration of the complex dynamics within Pakistan's identity is the designation of Urdu as the country's official language. Urdu originated as the native language of the Muhajirs, a community that migrated from India to the newly created Pakistan following the Partition of India in 1947. Today, the Muhajirs constitute approximately 7-9% of Pakistan's population. By adopting Urdu as the official language, the government reinforced Pakistan's ties to Indian linguistic traditions, which led to grievances among other ethnic groups who felt their languages and cultural heritage were marginalised. Over time, this linguistic dominance became a source of ethnic tensions, with some communities perceiving the Muhajirs as disproportionately influencing Pakistan's national identity. Conversely, Muhajirs have faced discrimination and violence due to these perceptions. To mitigate such ethnic tensions, many advocate for a more inclusive characterization of Pakistan's identity, one that equally values and integrates the diverse cultures of its various ethnic groups.

In addition to cultural and ethnic factors, Pakistan shares geographical connections with multiple regions: the Himalayas to the north, the Iranian Plateau to the west, the Thar Desert to the east, and a coastline along the Arabian Sea to the south. These geographical ties create natural links with neighboring countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and India.

Pakistan also has historical connections to Central Asia and the Middle East. Throughout history, it has been part of various Central Asian and Middle Eastern cultural and imperial spheres, including the Persian Empire, Arab Caliphates, Durrani Empire, and several Turko-Persian dynasties. As a Muslim-majority state—similar to nations in Central Asia and the Middle East (excluding Israel)—Pakistan is often included in discussions of the Greater Middle East, a geopolitical term that gained prominence during the George W. Bush administration. This term encompasses not only core Middle Eastern states but also regions with historical, cultural, geopolitical, and geographical ties to the Middle East, such as Morocco, Libya, Algeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Furthermore, Pakistan is situated within the socio-cultural spheres of Greater Iran and Greater Central Asia, highlighting its historical connections to Persianate traditions in both Central Asia and the Middle East. Recognising these historical and cultural links, UNESCO defined Central Asia in 1978 to include both Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasising the intertwined heritage of these regions.