Topography of Pakistan

Made by: Areeba MushtaqClass: 8-Service

Subject: Pak StudiesSubmitted to: T. Asifa

The Northern Mountains of Pakistan

Northern Pakistan is host to three of the world's biggest and most spectacular mountain ranges, the Himalaya, the Karakoram and the Hindu kush. The convergence of these magnificent ranges, at the confluence of Indus and Gilgit rivers create a unique geographical feature on earth. These magnificent mountain ranges are also home to one of the densest collection of highest and most precipitous mountain peaks in the world. These include five, out of the total fourteen, above 8000 meter high peaks in the world, including the second highest mountain peak -the K-2 (8611m). Nevertheless these mountain ranges also boast more than 160 peaks above 7000 meters and around 700 peaks above 6000 meters. As these mountains have very low temperatures so they consist of numerous ice glaciers such as Biafo (63 km) and Siachen (70 km). These mountains are divided into three major ranges:

Himalayan Range The western most parts of the Himalayas fall in Pakistan. The sub-

Himalayas - the southern most ranges - do not rise to great heights (600 - 1200 masl). The Lesser Himalayas lie to the north of the sub-Himalayas and rise to 1,800 - 4,600 masl. The Great Himalayas are located north of the Lesser Himalayas. They attain snowy heights (of more than 4,600 m). The topography of the Himalayas consists of snowcapped, and steep-sided peaks with valleys rich in natural vegetation. The highest peak of this range in Pakistan is the Nanga Parbat (8,126m). They are further divided into three mountain ranges:

i. The Siwaliks (Foothills) ii. The Lesser or Outer Himalayas iii. Central Himalayas

Karakoram Range The Karakoram mountain range has an average height of 6000m,

and it is located above the Central Himalayas. The highest peak of the Karakoram range in Pakistan is Godwin Austin (K-2) which stands at 8,610m. Karakoram means black stone, it is believed to be the north western extension of greater Himalayan mountain system, covering the borders between Pakistan, India and China, in the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan), Ladakh (India), and Xinjiang region, (China). It is highly glaciated and has a very dense collection of mountains. The Karakoram mountains are very inhospitable, and the population in these mountains is very sporadic, and a nomadic lifestyle is seen. Some agriculture takes place in the valleys, but mostly, the Karakoram range comprises of steep peaks, and narrow valleys often with a fast flowing river taking up most of the space. The Karakoram Highway that links Pakistan with China has been a major development in the Karakoram range.

North-Western Mountain range The North Western Mountain ranges are located in further north western part of Pakistan.

They only include Hindu kush range.The Hindu Kush mountain range runs from north to south, and is located in the region where the border of Pakistan meets the borders of Afghanistan and China. The topography of the area is very similar to the Karakoram range. Hindu Kush is famous for mountain peaks like Tirich Mir. The Hindu Kush is also popular in culture because many of the greatest invaders in history (Alexander the Great, Mahmud of Ghazni etc) crossed the mountain passes of the Hindu Kush such as Shandur, Shangla and Lawarai Pass. The Hindu Kush is a range of mountains starting near Pamir in the north of Gilgit extending in the southwest deep into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. On the west of this range is some land called Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan which separates Gilgit from the Tajikistan. Many rivers including Chapursan River, Ishkuman River, Ghizar River, Gilgit River and Shandur River originate in the valleys of Hindukush and ultimately join the Indus River.

Western Mountain Ranges The Western mountains of Pakistan consist of many parallel

mountain ranges. Passes through these mountains have been widely used over several decades i.e Khyber, Kurram, Tochi, Gomal and Bolan. Due to the insufficient facilities, Nomadic culture is widely followed. These mountains are devoid of vegetation. Farming and irrigation cannot be performed on these mountain ranges. Literacy rates are very low. No proper infrastructure has been provided to the inhabitants of these mountains due to which there is very low population density and no proper transportation assets are given. These mountains are very rich in minerals but unfortunately none of these valuable minerals have been

explored or exploited. These mountain ranges include:

The Hindu Kush Range Between the Indus and Kabul rivers lies the Hindu Kush range. The

average height of this range is between 10,000 to 16,000 feet above sea level. The highest peak of this area is known as Tirich Mir, having an altitude of 25230 feet. Most of the mountain remains snow-covered during winter months. The Kabul, Swat, Panjkora and Kunar flow through months. The minor ranges of this mountain. These entire rivers join the Indus from the western side. The famous Khyber Pass lies south of the Kabul river. This pass is a historical trade route between Peshawar and Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

Safed Koh Range South of the Kabul River up to Kurram pass lies the Safed

Koh range, which runs east and west. These mountains have an average height of 12,000 feet and are often covered with snow in winter. The rover Kurram lies to the south of this range. The Kurram pass, which provides an easy route in to Afghanistan, is situated near this range. Kohat is an important military base situated at the end of this pass.

Waziristan Hills Between the Kurram and the Gomal rivers lies the Waziristan hills

area. These hills have low altitude. The Tochi River joins the Kurram River from the west in North Waziristan. These rivers after passing through Tochi pass join the Indus. Similarly Gomal River coming from Afghanistan joins Indus near Dera Ismail Khan. Bannu at Tochi pass and Dera Ismail Khan at Gomal pass are the important towns and military centers.

Sulaiman Range In the south of the Gomal river lies the Sulaiman mountain. It rims

southward for a distance of about 300 miles. Its highest peak is known as Takhat-I-Sulaimani, whose height is 11,100 feet above sea level. At the southern end of the Sulaiman mountain, the Bugti and Mari hills run from the southeast to the northwest. The Bolan is the main river of this region. The Bolan river passes through the Bolan Pass, which provides communication facilities between Iran and Pakistan . Quetta is and important base at the northern end of Bolan pass.

Kirthar Range In the west of lower Indus plain lies a hilly area known as “The Kirther hills”. These

hills are not high enough, their average height being about 7000 feet. The Kirther hills are drained by the Hab and Layari stream join the water of the Arabian sea near Karachi. Kirthar Mountain Range is located in Balochistan and Sindh provinces of Pakistan. The Range extends southward for about 190 miles (300 km) from the Mula River in east-central Balochistan to Cape Monze (Muari), near Mubarak Village, Karachi on the Arabian Sea.

Balochistan Plateau The Balochistan Plateau is located in the southwest region of Pakistan, and mainly

consists altitudes ranging from 600-3000 meters.To the north, the Balochistan Plateau has basins like Zhob and Loralai. These basins come in handy when it rains in Balochistan. The water slides down the mountain slopes, and gathers in these depressions. The resulting soil is quite alluvial. This area is almost completely devoid of vegetation with a very low population density. The way in which the water gathers in the basins is called inland drainage since there are no rivers or seas nearby to soak up the water. Thus, the water collects in temporary lakes, and when these lakes dry up, they leave behind a thin crust of salt behind. This is called a salt pan, and these lakes are referred to as ‘salt lakes’. Balochistan has immense potential what with the rich mineral and gold deposits. Balochistan also has huge oil and natural gas deposits. Sadly, most of these minerals are still untapped because Balochistan gets the lowest amount of money from the Federal Government despite being the largest province. To some extent, the antiquated feudal system, low population, and lack of education are responsible for Balochistan being so backward in everything.

Balochistan thrives in fruit production. Due to the chilly temperatures, it is the perfect place for growing apples, pears, peaches and apricots. 75% of the fruit produced is surplus, and is shipped to other parts of the country or exported abroad as the quality is very good. Similarly, due to chilly temperatures, Balochistan is ideal for planting many kinds of vegetables. Gwadar, Pasni, and Turbat are important fishing centers, Most of the fish is exported to Sri Lanka in the form of salt fish. Shrimps are also widely available in Balochistan.There is an immense scarcity of both drinking and irrigation water with nomadic families being forced to consume water form temporary lakes which is very unhygienic. Some recent advances have been made in improving the transport system of Balochistan with the Makran Coastal Highway that links Gwadar with Karachi. However, other than Quetta and to a small extent Gwadar, Balochistan lacks a proper international airport. Similarly, train facilities are very scarce in Balochistan. Balochistan also lacks any sort of proper public transport system, leaving many citizens out to fend for themselves. Thus, there is a great potential for Balochistan to improve, and all that is needed is proper attention from the Government.

Per capita income is also very low. Crop farming and livestock raising are the main pursuits of the people in this area. Coal mines and other measures are taken to obtain the precious untapped resources like crude oil and natural gas widely available in this region. PMDC and Saindak copper-gold project is also progressing. Inhabitants of Balochistan plateau rely on agricultural production to earn their income. Fruit and vegetable seed production brings a large opportunity to export these quality goods to other Gulf states. Fishing activity is either done for domestic (subsistence) use or for commercial purpose. Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara are the 3 major fishing ports. Balochistan plateau has remained undeveloped and untapped for a large period of time but is now beginning to move forward.

Potwar Plateau Potwar Plateau, tableland in Rawalpindi, Attock, and Jhelum districts,

Punjab Province, Pakistan. Lying between the Indus and Jhelum rivers and bounded on the north by the Hazara Hills and on the south by the Salt Range, its varied landscape is constantly affected by erosion. Its elevation varies from 1,000 to 2,000 ft (300 to 600 m) in a system of residual hills and hillocks formed from glacial debris as remnants of the Ice Age. The Kala Chitta Range thrusts eastward across the plateau toward Rawalpindi, the valleys of the Haro and Soan rivers cross the plateau from the eastern foothills to the Indus. Most of the hills and rivers are bordered by dissected ravine belts. The streams, due to constant rejuvenation, are deep set and of little use for irrigation. Agriculture is dependent largely on rainfall, which averages 15 to 20 in. (380 to 510 mm) annually; rainfall is greatest in the northwest and declines to arid conditions in the southwest. The chief crops are wheat, barley, maize, and gram, onions, melons, and tobacco are grown in the more fertile areas near the Indus. The Potwar Plateau is one of the most densely populated areas of Pakistan. It contains the city of Rawalpindi and the new national capital, Islamabad, built since 1961. The plateau is the location of Pakistan’s major oil fields

It is an open undulating land with extensive flat areas. Residual hills are widely found over here. A large part of the plateau is dissected and eroded by the action of running water. It has a badland topography with a landscape consisting of ridges and troughs. It forms gullies and large alluvial plains. Potwar Plateau is rich in non-metallic minerals like limestone, dolomite and clay. It provides raw material to chemical and ceramic industries. It is accessible by roads, railways and air transport. Kallar Kahar and Khabeki add scenic beauties to the plateau.

The Indus Plain . The Indus, one of the great rivers of the world, rises in southwestern Tibet only

about 160 kilometers west of the source of the Sutlej River, which joins the Indus in Punjab, and the Brahmaputra, which runs eastward before turning southwest and flowing through Bangladesh. The catchment area of the Indus is estimated at almost 1 million square kilometers, and all of Pakistan's major rivers—the Kabul, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej—flow into it. The Indus River basin is a large, fertile alluvial plain formed by silt from the Indus. This area has been inhabited by agricultural civilizations for at least 5,000 years. The upper Indus Basin includes Punjab; the lower Indus Basin begins at the Panjnad River (the confluence of the eastern tributaries of the Indus) and extends south to the coast. In Punjab (meaning the "land of five waters") are the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers. The Sutlej, however, is mostly on the Indian side of the border. Indus Plain is an active and old flood plain. A wide range of Alluvial terraces is found on this plain. Piedmont plains are also found on the foothills of Sulaiman, Kirthar, and Himalayan mountains. The upper Indus plain is located in the northern part of the Indus plain and the lower Indus plain is located in the southern part of the Indus plain. River Indus and it’s tributaries flow through the Upper Indus plain.

Due to Indus plain agricultural and textile industry are at the top and making the economy very strong. The Indus plain is one of the main contributors making the discount strong as the Indus river flows in the Indus plain, and due to this a canal system has be developed which has promoted agriculture and that is why many crops are growing surrounded by that place here. The basmati rice grown by Indus River at Indus basin is one of the best rice in the world. The Indus plain is the most productive and cultivated region of Pakistan. An extensive system of canal irrigation has been developed because of favourable relief for the construction of canals. This plain has a high population density. Cultivated and man made goods create a large foreign market. The Indus plain is very valuable and precious for Pakistan.

Desert Areas Deserts in Pakistan constitute a significant part of the country’s geography,

especially in the central and south-eastern regions. The major deserts of Pakistan include Thar, Cholistan, Thall, Nara and Kharan deserts. Despite harsh living conditions these desert areas are also inhabited by a significant number of people and livestock. Generally prevalence of poverty is high and resources are scarce among inhabitants of the desert. Development and communication infrastructure in these areas is also very poor or even non-existent. Despite of these devastating problems of the desert dwellers, they still follow their customs and traditions and live a semi-nomadic life.

Thar Desert Thar Desert is the largest among all and mostly falls under the

territory of Sind province, extending eastwards from irrigated plains on the left bank of River Indus towards the Indian states of of Rajhistan and Gujrat, constituting the largest desert in South Asia, also known as the Great Indian Desert. The approximate area of greater Thar Desert in total is around 200,000 square KM, of which around 50,000 square KM falls in the Pakistani territories, covering the districts of Tharparker, Mirpur Khas, Umerkot, Khairpur, Sukkar and Ghotki in Sindh Province. Thar desert is among the most populated deserts of the world.

Cholistan Desert The Cholistan Desert, locally known as Rohi, constitutes the south

eastern region of Punjab Province with an estimated area of 26,000 square KM. Towards the eastern flanks Cholistan extends into the Indian states of Rajhistan and Punjab and joins the greater Thar Desert. While on the north-western front it is bordered by the irrigated plains of Indus and Sutlaj rivers. Beside the unique landscape and unique nomadic culture, the major attractions of Cholistan include Lal Suhanra National Park, Drawar Fort and Annual Desert Car Rally, the biggest motor sport event in Pakistan.

Thall Desert Thal desert is the third largest desert in Pakistan, situated in the

central Punjab it covers an estimated area of 20,000 Square KM. It is boarded by Indus and Jhelum Rivers on its western and eastern flanks respectively and, in the north it meets the foothills of Salt Range of Potohar Plateau. Thall desert is well established and people are living more settled lifestyle, widely practicing irrigated and rain-fed agriculture.

Nara Desert Nara Desert is located near the Cholistan desert

and the Thar desert. The southern border areas of Khairpur district in Sindh is known as Nara desert. These are also part of Rajhistan desert in India. These are the desert parts of country. 

Kharan Desert The Kharan Desert is situated in the western regions of Baluchistan Province of

Pakistan. Overall all of Baluchistan plateau is characterized by extreme arid conditions and very barren terrain. However Kharan desert can be separated from the rest of the arid landscape due to its sandy nature and more even terrain, ranging from 1000 meter in the north east to 500 meters in the west. It mostly falls in the Kharan District covering an estimated area of more than 20,000 Square KM. It is the most inhospitable deserts in Pakistan with extreme dry climatic conditions supporting very little vegetation cover of mainly desert bushes. Due to its vastness and isolation Kharan desert was selected for Pakistan's second nuclear test executed on May 30, 1998.

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