Definition: The study of the relationship among politics and geography,demography, and economics, especially with respect to the foreignpolicy of a nation. Location: In 19
…47, possessing a unique geographical location, Pakistanconsisted two distant parts; the West Pakistan, in the Indus Riverbasin and the East Pakistan (later on became Bangladesh in December1971) located more than 1000 miles (1600 kilometers) away in theGanges River delta. Separated from each other, these two wings had1000km wide Indian territory between them. On the West, Pakistanborders with Afghanistan, whose one kilometer narrow Wahkhan stripkept the defunct Soviet Union away from Pakistani frontiers. To theNorth, she has the Peoples Republic of China. The oil rich heart ofthe Persian Gulf region-Iran, is in the northwest of Pakistan. Inthe South, the Arabian Sea, the northwestern extension of thestrategically important Indian Ocean washes Pakistan's coastalshores. The vitality of Indian Ocean has remained unquestionablethroughout the known history as it provides not only a commercialand trade link between Europe and the Far East but has alsoremained a key to the seven seas. The East Pakistan was separatingthe Pacific Ocean from the Indian Ocean and bordered Burma on theEast (Mohammed Ahsen Chaudhri, 1993). Thus, looking from thestrategic point of view, Pakistan was and is still at the crossroadof Central, South and Southwest Asia and is the easiest linkbetween the oil-rich Persian Gulf and the East Asia. In short,Pakistan is situated in the region called 'fulcr.. Geo Strategic Importance of Pakistan Geo strategic means the importance of a country or a region as byvirtue of its geographical location. Geo political is defined as,stressing the influence of geographic factors on the state power,international conduct and advantages it derives from its location.Stephen Cohn describes this importance "While history has beenunkind to Pakistan, its geography has been its greatest benefit. Ithas resource rich area in the north-west, people rich in thenorth-east." Pakistan is a junction of South Asia, West Asia andCentral Asia, a way from resource efficient countries to resourcedeficient countries. The world is facing energy crisis andterrorism. Pakistan is a route for transportation, and a front linestate against terrorism. Geographical Importance: Bridge between South Asia and South West Asia; Iran and Afghanistanare energy abundant while India and China are lacking of. Chinafinds way to Indian ocean and Arabian Sea through Korakaram. Chinawith its fastest economic growth rate of 9%; is developing itssouthern provinces because its own port is 4500 km away fromSinkiang but Gawader is 2500 km away. Pakistan offers to CARs theshortest route of 2600 km as compared to Iran (4500 km) or Turkey(5000 km). land locked Afganistan now at the phase ofReconstruction, finds its ways through Pakistan. Gawader port withits deep waters attracts the trade ships of China, CARs and SouthEast Asian Countries. ASEAN Economic Blocs: SAARC, ECO. Iran is struggling to export itssurplus gas and oil to eastern countries. Qatar Pakistan andTurkmenistan Pipeline projects highlights the position. Pakistanwould get 400 million dollar annually if IPI gets success. MountainRanges: Himalayas, Hindu Kush in the North are plentiful inproviding water and natural resources. Political importance: US interests in the regions to contain theGrowing China, nuclear Iran, terrorist Afghanistan, and to benefitfrom the market of India. Security and Business are two main USinterests in the region while Pakistan is playing a front line roleagainst terrorism. Today the political scenario of the region istinged with pre emption policy and US invasion of Iraq andAfghanistan, Iran's nuclear program, India's geopoliticalmuscles(new strategic deal with US) to gain the hegemony and tocounter the 'The Rise of China' which has earned all the qualitiesto change unipolar world into Bipolar world. In all these issues,Pakistan is directly or indirectly involved, especially after AlQaeda operations. The American think tanks have repeatedly acceptedthat war against terror could never be won without the help ofPakistan. Pakistan has rigorously fought, and ongoing militaryoperation in Wazirstan is also targeting the suspected Taliban inthe bordering area. Main threats to Pakistan: Balochistan and Wazirstan conflicts areposing threats to any economic project like IPI gas pipeline.Negative role of India, US, Iran in this conflict ridden area.Kashmir is flash point, accelerating nuclear race in the SouthAsia. Instable governments in Pakistan have contributed inweakening the strong position. (MORE)