Geo – Strategic Importance of Pakistan
Geo strategic means the importance of a country or region as by virtue 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 been unkind to Pakistan, its geography has been its greatest benefit.” It has resource rich area in the north-west, people rich in the north-east.” Pakistan is a junction of South Asia, West Asia and Central Asia, a way from resource efficient countries to resource deficient countries.
The world is facing energy crisis and terrorism. Pakistan is a role for transportation, and a front line state against terrorism.
Geographical Importance:
Bridge between South Asia and South West Asia, Iran and Afghanistan are energy abundant while India and China are lacking of. China finds way to Indian ocean and Arabian Sea through Korakaram. China with its fastest economic growth rate of 9%, is developing its southern provinces because its own port is 4500 km away from Sinkian but Gawadar is 2500 km away.
Pakistan offers to CARs the shortest route of 2600 km as compared to Iran (4500 km) or Turkey (5000 km) land locked Afghanistan now at the phase of Reconstruction, finds its ways through Pakistan. Gawadar port with its deep waters attracts the trade ships of China, CARs and South East Asian Countries. ASEAN.
Economic significance:
SAARC, ECO. Iran is struggling to export its surplus gas and oil to eastern countries: Qatar Pakistan and Turkmenistan Pipeline projects highlights the position. Pakistan would get 400 million dollar annually if IPT gets success. Mountain Ranges: Himalayas, Hindu Kush in the North are plentiful in providing water and natural resources.
Political importance:
US interests in the regions to contain the Growing China, nuclear Iran, terrorist Afghanistan, and to benefit from the market of India. Security and Business are two main US interests in the region while Pakistan is playing a front line role against terrorism. Today the political scenario of the region is tinged with pre emption policy and US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran’s nuclear program, India’s geopolitical muscles (new strategic deal with US) to gain the hegemony and to counter the “The Rise of China” which has earned all the qualities to change unipolar world into Bipolar world.
In all these issues, Pakistan is directly or indirectly involved, especially after Al-Qaeda operations. The American think tanks have repeatedly accepted that war against terror could never be worn without the help of Pakistan. Pakistan has rigorously fought, and ongoing military operation in Wazirstan is also targeting the suspected Taliban in the bordering area.
Main threats to Pakistan:
• Terrorist in the border areas have tarnished image of Paskistan, fight with Pak-Army and fear among the people.
• Blame of Mumbai attacks on Pakistan.
• Balochistan and Wazirstan conflicts are posing threats to any economic project like IPI gas pipeline.
• Negative role of India, US, Iran in this conflict ridden area.
• Kashmir is flash point.
• Decelerating nuclear race in the South Asia.
• Instable governments in Pakistan have contributed in weakening the strong position.
• Economic crisis is making Pakistan more dependent on US, like accepting of Kerry-Lugar Bill
• Pakistan army is engaged on western, eastern borders and against terroists.