Importance of Pakistan

Introduction:

Pakistan is world’s sixth most populous country with population of 187,342,721 people. It is situated in North West part of south Asian sub-continent. It is bounded on the east by India (1950 km) on north & north west by Afghanistan(1200 km) on south west by Iran (800 km) on the south by Arabian Sea. It has also a common border on the north with China (600 km).

Pakistan has a land of 769,095 sq. km, spread over a diverse terrain, comprising steep mountains and deep valleys, fertile plains of Indus valley and deserts in Sindh and Baluchistan.

Pakistan’s Economic Importance

Pakistan is one of the world's largest producers and suppliers of the following according to the 2005 Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations and FAOSTAT given here with ranking:

•             Chickpea (2nd)

•             Apricot (4th)

•             Cotton (4th)

•             Sugarcane (4th)

•             Milk (5th)

•             Onion (5th)

•             Date Palm (6th)

•             Mango (7th)

•             Tangerines, mandarin oranges, clementine (8th)

•             Rice (8th)

•             Wheat (9th)

•             Oranges (10th)

Pakistan ranks fifth in the Muslim world and twentieth worldwide in farm output.

Industrial sector in Pakistan includes; textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp.

Agriculture sector includes; cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs.

Pakistan has GDP rate of 4.8%.

Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Pakistan is important due to its location because it is neighbor country of Middle East and have common border with china, India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia state of Uzbekistan. It is important for USA because it gives access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. It is important for India because Pakistan is a land route to Iran and other west Asian countries.

Pakistan's coastline is also important because it is a warm water port and serves many landlocked countries too.

From a strategic and economical point of view Pakistan enjoys a key position in the South Asia. There are few links by land to the north and northwest because of the large mountain ranges and the climate. However, the Khyber Pass provides a route to Afghanistan and the Karakorum Highway now makes communication with China easier. There are number of passes in Pakistan which join Pakistan with its neighboring countries.

Pakistan's coastline on the Arabian Sea is in a central position for trading by sea both with South Asia and the Far East and beyond and with the Middle East to the west. In addition, some of the air routes between west and east pass through Pakistan because of this central position. Karachi a natural harbor and an important warm water port also serves as a refueling stop for ships.