Environment of

Pakistan
O Level Pakistan Studies (2059)
Introduction to O Level
Pakistan Studies
(2059)
Land of Pakistan
 Location of Pakistan
Important Latitudes and Longitudes:
Tropic of Cancer 23.5 N
Latitudes: 30 N 36 N
Longitudes: 64 E 70 E 76 E

Pakistan is situated at a very important place. Pakistan is

situated in a region, which has a great political, economic
and military importance. Pakistan is in the neighborhood of
two big powers i.e. China and the Russian Federation.
Similarly, Pakistan has an access to the six Muslim Central
Asian States through Afghanistan. These states are land
locked states and Pakistan can provide an inter link between
the Gulf States, African, European and Central Asian
countries. Our sea route remains open throughout the year
due to moderate temperature. Pakistan connects almost all
the Muslim countries of the world from Atlantic Ocean to the
Arabian Sea.
 Natural Topography
Topography: It is the study and
description of surface features of land,
which includes both natural and artificial
features.

Pakistan is divided in 6 major topographical areas:

1. Northern and North-Western Mountains
2. Western Mountains
3. Balochistan Plateau
4. Potwar Plateau and Salt Range
5. Indus Plain
6. Desert Area
 Northern Mountains of Pakistan
Mountain is an elevation of land that is
more than 610m high.

A Mountain Range is a succession of

mountains which have the same
direction, age and same causes of
formation etc

The Northern Mountains are divided into

three main mountain ranges:
Karakoram
Himalayas
Hindu Kush
 Northern Mountains of Pakistan
The Karakoram runs from South East to North-West.
They have an average height of 6000m.

The Himalayas run from South-East to North-West and

have an average height of 4000m.

The Hindu Kush runs from North East to South West with
an average height of 5000m.

Glaciers of Pakistan:
Baltoro: 58 KM long (Karakoram Range)
Batura: 58 KM long (Hunza Valley - Karakoram Range)
Siachen: 78 KM long (Karakoram Range)
 Northern Mountain
Drainage
Natural Drainage: The natural run off of water The Hindu Kush is drained by the River Indus and some
from an area in rivers and streams. of its Western tributaries like Mastuj, which has formed
alluvial fans and deep narrow gorges.
The Southern slopes of the Himalayas are
drained by Eastern tributaries of the River Indus;
Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas. All of
these Rivers run in North-East to South West
direction.

The Southern and Northern slopes of Karakoram

are drained by River Indus and some of its
Western tributaries like River Gilgit respectively.
Both of these rivers run in an East to West
direction
 Important Terms
Snowfield: Is a plane area covered with perpetual Rapids: series of very short and fast waterfalls
snow above the snow line in high altitude mountains.
There must be very heavy snowfall which allows the Streams and springs: when the snow melts from the
snow to accumulate in compact layers to form a mountain tops, water flows down in form of screams
snowfield. and springs which flow out of the valley side.

Serrated Landscape:Elevated mountain zone used for Waterfalls: Steep fall of river water from a resistant
agriculture. rock

Gorges: When the river erodes the land and flows

downhill, the less resistant rocks are eroded, leaving
behind vertical hard rocks, which are called gorges.
 Importance of Northern
Mountains

Snow capped peaks during summer A natural border to China and Mountain peaks provide protection
to drain water into river indus and central Asian Republic. A land route to Pakistan against cold winds from Historical passes connect Pakistan
tributaries which irrigate vast indus through Karakoram highway has central Asia. The temperature does to China and Afghanistan.
plains been open to carry out trade not go down below, freezing point
over the upper indus plain and
climate remains tolerable
throughout the year.

A source of valuable mineral, Scenic beauty promotes tourist

timber and fruits. Provide raw resorts, which are a source of
material to several industries income to local people during
example furniture, paper, summers
chipboard, industry, chemical
industry.
 Western Mountains
Western Mountain region consists of the mountain ranges:

Waziristan hills
Safed Koh range
Sulaiman range
Kirthar range

All of these ranges run in the North-South direction except the Safed
Koh, which runs from East to West.

The Safed Koh mountain range is the only range, which has some
existing snow capped peaks. Other ranges are quite dry.

These mountains generally have bare rocks due to low rainfall and in
some cases very high temperatures

These mountain ranges have steep sided peaks along with deep
narrow valleys and gorges
 Western Mountains
Drainage
The Safed Koh range is drained by River Kabul, which runs in an West to East
direction and eventually joins River Indus.

The Waziristan hills are drained by small seasonal rivers like Kurram, Tochi
and Gomal. These rivers run from West to East, and all are the Western
tributaries of the River Indus.

The Sulaiman range is drained by small hill torrents and small seasonal
rivers such as the Bolan and Mula. These rivers usually lead to small inland
lakes, where the water collects and then dries up. The rain falling on Eastern
slopes of Sulaiman range runs down the slopes and falls into piedmont
plains leading to the formation of alluvial fans.

The Kirthar range on the other hand is drained by the River Hab (seasonal
river), which flows in a North to South direction and eventually joins the
Arabian Sea
 Economy and Life of Western
Mountains

The western mountains Transportation facilities The cost of supplying Nomadic lifestyle is
are mostly bare of are limited. Except for a infrastructure: water common and sheep and
vegetation. The climate few urban centres like supply, transport, goat rearing is the main
and relief do not support Peshawar and Kohat, the facilities, electricity occupation. The
farming. Canal irrigation is rest of the area is not telephone line is much population density is
not possible because of connected by air or rail. higher than the plaines. As hundred persons per sq
the mountainous terrain Only a few areas are a consequence km
and rugged landscape. accessible through metal development project
roads. Most of the areas mining activities,
are accessible only by industries, educational
unmetalled road. facilities have not been
established.
 Balochistan Plateau

The Balochistan Plateau is located in the South-West of

Pakistan with altitudes mainly ranging from 600-3010
meters. This is an extensive area of 347,190 sq. km with
a number of distinct natural topographical and drainage
features that can be identified as folllows:

Basins of Northern Balochistan

Basins of Western Balochistan
Mountain Ranges
The Costal Areas
 Balochistan Plateau

Basins of Northern Balochistan

A lot of irregular depressions like Zhob and
Loralai basins situated between the Toba
Kakar and Sulaiman Ranges.

Basins of Western Balochistan

A number of basins between mountain ranges such
as the Chagai Hills, Ras Koh, Siahan and Central
Makran. These basins have no outlet to sea.
Therefore, called inland drainage basins, aka
“hamuns.”

Largest temporary lake is “Hamun-e-Mashkel” which

is located in the Western part of the Kharan desert.
 Balochistan Plateau

Mountain Ranges
Balochistan Plataeu is covered with a number of
barren mountain ranges with an altitude of 600-
3010 meters. These barren ranges are highly
mineralized.

Ras Koh
Hala Range
Makran Coast Range
Central Brahui Range
Toba Kakar Range
Siahan Range
 Balochistan Plateau
Costal Areas
The costal areas of Balochistan can be divided into two parts: Eastern part - Lasbela Plain
(marked with sand dunes and gravel) and Western part - Makran Coast.

Makran Coast:
Hab, Hingol, and Dasht are important rivers on the Makran Coast which flow into the Arabian
Sea.
 Balochistan’s
Economic Potential

Transportation and
Water Resources Economic Structure
Communication
There is no major source
of water and the province No proper road or railway Crop farming and livestock
spaces as scarcity both system. There is an raising are the main
drinking and irrigation absence of link roads occupation of the people
water. The supplies are between the producing in this province around
mostly dependent on areas and the main areas. 67% of the labor force is
small water scheme, such The railway line covers engaged in agriculture.
as karez system and small only a limited area. Per capita income for
tubewells people in Balochistan is
less than for people in
Punjab and Sindh
 Balochistan’s
Economic Wealth

Mineral Resources Agriculture Fishing

Province is rich in mental Good fruit production: dates, grapes, apples,
resources. Province has apricots, plums, melons, and pomegranates. Fishing done for both
good deposits of crude oil The surplus of fruit produced is about 75% of commericial and domestic
and natural gas. About the total production, which is exported to reasons. Three main ports:
46% of gas supply in the other countries or cities within Pakistan. The Gwadar
country is obtained from uplands having long in cold winters offer ag Pasni
Sui in Balochistan great opportunity for growing vegetable Ormara
seeds initially require chilly weather.
livestock farming is common in this region
due to scars of rainfall and lack of irrigation
facilities, livestock products are wool goat
hair and skins, which are exported
 Potawar Plateau & Salt
Range
The Potawar plateau covers the northern parts of
Punjab and some of the western part of Azad
Kashmir. To the North of the plateau we find the
Margalla Hills, in the South the Salt range, in the East
River Jhelum and on the West the River Indus.

River Soan drains much of Potwar Plateau. It runs

from North-East to South-West and eventually drains
into the River Indus. Other small rivers are also
present but all are active in the rainy season. These
rivers have meanders (curves in the path of a river)
because they have to flow around small hills
 Potawar Plateau & Salt
Range
The Salt range is bordered by Potwar Plateau in the North, River Indus on the west and River
Jhelum on the east.

It consists of parallel mountains, which generally run from North-East to South-West. The height
of the range varies from 750-900m. The mountain range slopes gently towards the Potwar
Plateau (in the north) but slopes steeply towards the Upper Indus Plain (in the south).

Drainage
On the Northern side of the Salt range, several saline lakes are found (such as Kallar Kahar and
Khabeki). The water in these lakes does NOT drain into any of the rivers of the Potwar Plateau.
The southern side of the Salt Range is drained by several small rivers like Khewra, which are only
active during rainy season. They soak into the piedmont plains after splitting up into small
streams and channel
 Economic Activities in
Potwar Plateau
Potwar Plateau and Salt Range are hubs of non-metallic materials: limestone marble
rock, salt, clays, dolomite, and soapstone, which provide materials to cement,
ceramics and chemical industries. A number of oil and gas fields are located in this
region. Attock Oil refinery has been set up to refine oil from the oilfield present in the
Potwar Plateau.

Farming in the Portwar plateau depends on the terrain. The rugged landscape does not
allow for canal irrigation. Wheat, maze, barley are cultivated here.

By and and large the plateau is a productive region and accessible by road rail and air
transport.

Urban settlements like Jhelum, Chakwal and Islamabad have been developed,
encouraging a high population density.
 Indus Plain
The Indus Plain is divided into two regions; the Upper Indus
Plain and the Lower Indus Plain.

The Upper Indus Plain extends from areas below Kashmir and
Lesser Himalayas to Mithankot.

The Lower Indus Plain extends from Mithankot to the Indus

Delta.

Both of the Indus Plains are flat pieces of usually fertile land. he
main differences are the number of tributaries and
distributaries (delta) in both the plains, how much water each of
the plain contributes to the Indus River system (The Upper
Indus Plain contributes more towards the volume of water in the
form of rain etc). The Upper Indus Plain is also a bit higher than
the low lying Lower Indus Plain. Considering the altitude of
these two plains, we see that it decreases from North towards
the South generally.
 Upper Indus Plain
Active flood plains are present alongside the river; these are low lying areas of flat land,
which are annually flooded in the rainy season. The active flood plain is made up of new
alluvium.

The old flood plains are also present. They are flat areas, which are higher than active
flood plains. They are made up of old alluvium, which had been deposited a decade ago.
They’re flooded after a decade or so, when strong monsoon winds combine with the
heavy melting of snow and ice in the glaciers of the Northern Mountains.

Piedmont plains are found at the foothills of the Himalayas in the Salt Range. They are
formed by the deposition of material by hill torrents, when they lose their speed. Kirak
Hills exist between the River Chenab and Jhelum
 Upper Indus Plain
(Doab)
In the upper Indus plain there are doabs (a doab is a
land between two rivers). These are the following 4
Doabs:

Sindh Sagar Doab (Indus + Jhelum)

Kirana Doab (Chenab + Jhelum)
Chaj Doab (Chenab + Jhelum)
Sandal Doab (Chenab + Ravi)
Rachna Doab (Chenab + Ravi)
Bari Doab (Sutlej + Ravi)
Nilli Doab (Sutlej + Ravi)
Ganji Doab (Sutlej + Ravi)

*Only memorize the ones highlighted.

 Upper Indus Plain
(Doab Features)
Active Flood plain
Old Flood plain
It is a flat plain on both sides of a river, which suffers annual
It is higher than active flood plain around 5m higher than river
floods during the rainy season. It is around 2-3m above the
level. It is around 10-20m long. It is made up of old alluvium.
level of a river. It is around 10-20km long. The river always
Evidence of meanders and of levees is present in these plains.
changes its position, thus meanders have come into
Oxbow lake depressions can also be seen.
existence. Abandoned (dry) and braided channels are also
visible in the dry season.
Bars
These are flat areas which are only found in the Upper
Indus plain. They are 7—12m high and last for 25-35km.
They are made up of areas of silt and clay. In Pakistan all
the bars have a south west direction. Ideal for cultivation.

Scarp
These are flat areas which are only found in the Upper
IScarp is a slope,, which separates the old flood plain from
the bar upland. It is around 20m long and 11m high above
the river level. It is made when old alluvium on the bar
upland is eroded, thus, leaving a slope which connects both
old flood plain and the bar upland
 Rivers (Upper Indus Plain)

According to CAIE Syllabus 2/2059, candiates are

supposed to know and identify following 5 rivers
located on the upper Indus Plain:

River Indus
River Jhelum
River Chenab
River Ravi
River Sutlej
 Lower Indus Plain
The Lower Indus Plain principally differs from the Upper Indus Plain due to presence of a
tidal delta (the Indus Delta) and also because in the Lower Indus Plain only one river that
is, the river Indus, flows.

Indus delta exists in some of the southern parts of the Lower Indus Plain. A delta is a low
lying triangular area which has alluvial deposits. Here the river divides into distributaries
before entering a larger body of water (in this case the Arabian Sea). The delta exists
because of the deposition of material carried by the river. This happens because when
the river enters into the sea, it loses its speed and thus also loses its ability to hold this
material, which is therefore deposited at the mouth of the river.

In the lower Indus Plain, we may find limestone ridges which are known as cuestas, a few
examples being; Rohri and Gango Takar Cusetas.
 Indus Plain Drainage
The Lower Indus plain is drained by the River Indus mainly flowing in the North-South
direction. Meanders and oxbow lakes also exist. Piedmont plains exist in-between the
river Indus and Sulaiman and Kirthar Mountain ranges.

In the Upper Indus plain, River Indus and its Eastern tributaries flow in North- South
direction. Tributaries are Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej. Meanders and oxbow lakes
also exist.
 Indus Delta
The Indus Delta is located to the south of Agriculture is limited to only a few areas due to
Thatta. Delta is often triangular or fan shaped swampy land covered with sea water saline soil,
with the main distributes branching out from the and a low annual rainfall. Infrastructure is not
main river like the ribs of a fan. When a river developed, discouraging the growth of commercial
flows into the sea, its speed decreases and its and industrial activities. There unmetaled roads.
loan of alluvium is dropped onto the seafloor.
The Indus Delta has tidal flats with mangrove
swamps. The coastal area is generally low and
flat.

The Indus Delta is located to the east of Karachi

and includes Thatta, Keti Bandar, Jatti, Ladian,
and other small settlements. It has a low
population density because the land is constantly
exposed to the effects of sea water in the forms of
waves and tides.
Indus Plain Comparison
 Important topographical
Features

Piedmont Plains Rolling Sand Dunes Cuestas

Piedmont plains are located at the Prominent features occurring on
Sandunes are the most
foothills of the Sulaiman, Kirthar and the lower Indus plain. Also
dominant feature of desert
Himalayan Mountains. Most dominant called escarpments. These are
areas. A sand dune or a ridge of
features of dominant plans are the ridges made of limestone. It has
sand. It is formed when an
alluvial fans or cones. Most of the rivers a steep slope on one side and a
obstacle occurs in the path of
or streams coming from the Sulaiman gentle slope on the other side.
moving sand, thus forcing some
and Kirthar Ranges have low flows of Rohri Cuesta and Gango Takkar
of the sand to be deposited
water. As they reach the foothills, they Cuesta. These ridges provide a
behind obstacle.
become slow and split into narrow firm foundation for the
channels that fan out on to the slopes construction of barrages for
irrigation.
 Economic Activities in
Indus Plain
The Indus plain is most productive region of
Pakistan. The relief and drainage of the industry
encourages the growth of settlements the
doabs of the upper Indus plain and the old and
active flood plains of the lower Indus plain are
excellent areas for farming. Since ancient times
more than 80% of the total cultivated area of
Pakistan has been located in the Indus Plain. The
crops are grown the whole year round on the
fertile flatland, such as cotton, rice, sugarcane
and wheat. There is an extensive system of canal
irrigation develop because of the favorable
relief for the constructions of canals. The plain
has a number of industries such as chemical
industry, sugar, mills, cotton, textile.
 Desert Area
Desert areas in Pakistan are located at three places:

Thal Desert (between the River Indus and River Jhelum)

Thar Desert (South-eastern Pakistan). Further divided into:

1. Nara
2. Tharparkar
3. Cholistan

Kharan Desert

Windes are the most important agent in desert areas and they
change the landscape constantly. Rolling sand dunes
weathering of rocks, lack of vegetation, and bare rocks are the
main features rainfall is and the water-table is extremely low.
 Important Cities of
Pakistan
Candiates are supposed to know and identify following 14 cities of Pakistan:

Islamabad - Federal Territory

Muree - Punjab
Rawalpindi - Punjab
Lahore - Punjab
Faislabad - Punjab
Multan - Punjab
Sailkot - Punjab
Peshawar - KPK
Chitral - KPK
Gilgit - Administrative Territory
Hyderabad - Sindh
Karachi - Sindh
Quetta - Balochistan
Gwadar - Balochistan
Past Paper Questions

Oct/Nov 2022
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Past Paper Questions

Oct/Nov 2022
Past Paper Mark Scheme