Topography of Pakistan

The topography of Pakistan is categorised into seven geographic regions: the northern highlands, the Indus River plain, the desert areas, the Pothohar Plateau, the Balochistan Plateau, the Salt Range, and the Sistan Basin. All of Pakistan's major rivers, including the Sindh, Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, and Sutlej rivers, originate from the Himalayas mountain range. Some geographers define the plateau as lying to the west of an imaginary southwest line, while the Indus Plain is situated to the east of that line. This diverse topography plays a crucial role in the country's climate, agriculture, and water resources, influencing the livelihoods of its population.

Mountains

In the northern, northeastern, and northwestern regions of Pakistan, three prominent mountain ranges are located. The area between these Himalayan ranges is regarded by the people of Central and Indian subcontinent as the "roof of the world". The Himalayas extend continuously for approximately 2,500 km from east to west and are bordered to the northwest by the Hindu Kush mountain range and to the north by the Karakoram range. Consequently, the three major mountain ranges in northern Pakistan are the Karakoram, the Himalayas, and the Hindu Kush. The geological contrasts among these ranges present a fascinating study in the region's topography and natural history, contributing to its unique environmental and climatic conditions.

The Indus Plain

The term "doab", which means "land between two rivers" in the local language, typically refers to regions in Pakistan where two rivers converge. The name "Indus" is derived from the Sanskrit word "sindhu" (Sanskrit: सिन्धु), meaning "ocean", which has also given rise to the terms Sindh, Hindu, and India. The Indus River, recognszed as one of the world's major rivers, originates in southwestern Tibet, located approximately 160 kilometers west of the Sutlej River's source. The Sutlej River joins the Indus in Punjab, while the Brahmaputra flows eastward before turning southwest into Bangladesh. The catchment area of the Indus is estimated to cover nearly 1 million square kilometers, with all of Pakistan's significant rivers—including the Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej—draining into it. The Indus River basin forms a vast, fertile alluvial plain enriched by silt deposited by the river.

The Desert areas

Cholistan Desert

The Cholistan Desert covers an area of approximately 16,000 square kilometers. The name "Cholistan" is derived from the Turkish word "chol", which means "desert", although it is locally referred to as Rohi. This desert is known for hosting an annual jeep rally that attracts numerous tourists, showcasing its unique landscape and culture.

Indus Valley Desert

The Indus Valley Desert is situated in the northern part of Pakistan, spanning about 19,500 square kilometers. It is bordered by northwestern scrub forests and lies between two prominent rivers in the region: the Chenab and the Indus. The desert's geographical positioning contributes to its distinct ecological characteristics.

Kharan Desert

Located in Northeast Balochistan, the Kharan Desert is notable for its historical significance, as it was used for nuclear testing by the Pakistan military, making it the most recognised among Pakistan's five deserts. The desert is situated in the center of a vast, arid basin, contributing to its stark and desolate environment.

Thal Desert

The Thal Desert can be found in northeastern Pakistan, positioned between the Indus and Jhelum rivers. Currently, a major canal-building project is underway to irrigate the land, with the aim of transforming much of the desert into arable farmland, thus enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.

Thar Desert

Spanning 446 square kilometers, the Thar Desert extends across significant portions of both Pakistan and India. It is recognised as the seventeenth largest desert in the world and the third largest in Asia, characterised by its unique ecosystems and cultural heritage, which play a crucial role in the lives of the inhabitants of the region.

Potohar Plateau

Tilla Jogian

Tilla Jogian is the second highest peak in the Potwar Plateau, which is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan and extends into the western parts of Pakistan illegally occupied Kashmir. The Potwar Plateau is historically significant as it was home to the Soanian Culture, evidenced by the discovery of fossils, tools, coins, and remnants of ancient archaeological sites. The local population predominantly speaks the Potwari language. Geographically, the Pothohar Plateau is bordered to the east by the Jhelum River, to the west by the Indus River, to the north by the Kala Chitta Range and the Margalla Hills, and to the south by the Salt Range. The average altitude of the Pothohar Plateau ranges from 300 to 600 meters.

Balochistan Plateau

The Balochistan Plateau is situated in the southwest region of Pakistan, with altitudes that primarily range from 600 to 3,010 meters. This expansive plateau covers an area of approximately 347,190 square kilometers and features a variety of distinct natural topographical and drainage characteristics, including:

• Basins of Northern Balochistan
• Basins of Western Balochistan
• Mountain ranges
• Coastal areas

Salt Range

The Salt Range is a prominent hill system located in the Punjab province of Pakistan, named for its extensive deposits of rock salt. This range stretches from the Jhelum River to the Indus River, traversing the northern part of Punjab. The Salt Range is home to significant salt mines, including the Mayo, Khewra, Warcha, and Kalabagh mines, which provide substantial quantities of salt. Additionally, medium-quality coal is found in the region.

Sistan Basin

The Sistan Basin is located at the eastern edge of the Iranian plateau and straddles the border region between Southwest Asia, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Balochistan, which encompasses this area, is the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, covering approximately 347,190 square kilometers, which accounts for about 48% of Pakistan's total land area. The province is characterised by a very low population density due to its mountainous terrain and limited water resources.

Geographically, Balochistan can be divided into several regions: the southern region is known as Makran, while the central region is referred to as Kalat. The Sulaiman Mountains dominate the northeast corner of the province, and the Bolan Pass serves as a natural route into Afghanistan, leading towards Kandahar. Much of the land south of the Quetta region consists of sparse desert terrain, with pockets of habitable land primarily located near rivers and streams. The Kharan Desert is the largest desert in Balochistan, occupying most of the Kharan District.

The province is also susceptible to frequent seismic disturbances due to the tectonic activity associated with the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, which continues to push the Himalayas higher. The area surrounding Quetta is particularly prone to earthquakes. A significant quake in 1931 was followed by an even more devastating earthquake in 1935, which nearly obliterated the small city of Quetta and heavily damaged the adjacent military cantonment, resulting in at least 20,000 fatalities. Tremors continue to affect the vicinity of Quetta, with the most recent major earthquake occurring in October 2008. In January 1991, another severe earthquake devastated entire villages in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, although the death toll was considerably lower than that of the 1935 quake. Additionally, a major earthquake centered in Kohistan District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in 1965 caused significant destruction.

Read also

• Fisheries Research and Training Institute (Pakistan)