Geographical attributes of a state bring it both, some opportunities to avail and some risks to evade. Pakistan availed the opportunities from its geography but could escape the risks it posed. When a state learns how to exploit its geography to the best of its political and strategic interests the study which comes in shape is called geostrategic and geopolitics. Pakistan's geography where brought the country countless material benefits there its unwise exploitation also invited the chaos in the region. Being the gateway to Central Asia and a suitable route of access of World Powers into land-locked Afghanistan, the geography of Pakistan suffered from the side effects of the 'New Great Game' and the 'Global War on Terrorism'. But things are in transformation today. The Northern border with China where gets ready to bring billion dollars investment in the wake of CPEC there the Western border with Afghanistan is seeking TAPI Gas Pipeline. Similarly, the South Western boundary with Iran will sooner or later be flexible for Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline. Pakistan's newly functional port of Gwadar and the strategic importance it has concerning its proximity to the Gulf States are some new aspects of Pakistan's geographical importance. We shall evaluate all these aspects in this article after going through a brief description of country's geography.

Geography of Pakistan
Pakistan is a land of plains, mountain ranges, deserts and coastal belt. The country shares its Eastern Border called 'Radcliffe Line' with India. On its Northern side, it has Sino-Pak Border. Its Western fronts include the boundaries of 'Durand Line' with Afghanistan and 'Gold Smith Line' with Iran. The Arabian Sea has limited the South of the country. With the total area of 9,96096 km square, Pakistan emerges to be one of the most significant geographical patches of Asia.

Traditional Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Traditionally, Pakistan's geographical importance has been defined in following ways;
1. Pakistan's North Western Border can be used as an access to the Central Asian Republics rich in natural resources. It's a narrow strip of Afghan Territory between Tajikistan and Pakistan which if used as a transit route can benefit all the countries in trade.
2. Pakistan's South Western Border with Iran is of great significance in a trade with this oil-rich country.
3. Eastern Border of Pakistan with India has been quite less utilized than the potential it carries. This can be a free trade route with India if the major conflicts between both the states are resolved.
4. Northern Border of Pakistan with China provides another important route for access of Chinese products in Pakistan.

Modern Geographical Importance of Pakistan

Though the geography of the country is same, the interpretations of interests linked with it have improved a bit with the changing regional and international dynamics. This can be evaluated under the following new heads:

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
The $46 billion 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor' scheme, which is being demonstrated as a 'Game-Changer' is more than a network of roads to link Chinese city of Kashgar with the Gulf States via Gwadar of Pakistan. CPEC is a complete package of energy projects and trade opportunities for Pakistan. It is the most cherished fruit of Pakistan's geographical importance the country ever had. However, some credit also goes to the foreign policy makers of Pakistan who always kept into considerations the Sino-Pak mutual interests.

In the wake of CPEC, China is going to have the shortest route-access ever available to the Middle Eastern, African, and European markets. For Pakistan, it might be a new gain but to China, this access is a link to it long term strategic plan to take over US control in the said regions.

Gwadar port is the nearest warm-water port to energy-rich Central Asian Countries
Bought from Oman in 1958, Gwadar has been developed into a warm-water seaport which now operated by a Chinese company named 'China Overseas Port Holding Company' under a 43 years agreed lease. The port is the soul of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Being the nearest deep-sea port to the landlocked Central Asian Republics, Gwadar is another manifestation of Pakistan's geographical importance.

The Persian Gulf and Pars Gas Field
Pakistan's Gwadar Port provides access to the 'Gulf of Oman' which extends via 'Strait of Hormuz' to form the 'Persian Gulf'. This gulf is surrounded by Iran, UAE, Saudi Araba, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq. Access to the Persian Gulf via Gwadar port means access to all these countries most of which are rich in energy resources. The Persian Gulf also has the world's largest natural gas reservoir 'Pars Gas Field' shared by Iran and Qatar. Pakistan's geographic importance increases due to its proximity to such mega-fields of natural resources when the country has been suffering from energy starvation for long periods of time.

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI)
The Asian Development Bank's funded project of TAPI is the name of a gas pipeline which aims to supply natural gas from the Caspian Sea to the four countries mentioned above. Pakistan due to its geographical nearness to this Central Asian Republic is seeking benefit from the project. It also reflects the dependence of India on Pakistan for having access to the natural resources of Central Asian Republics. The construction of the project commenced in December 2015, and it will be functional by 2019.

Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline
Also known as the 'Peace Pipeline' the project is another fruit of Pakistan's geographic importance. The pipeline project was formally inaugurated in 2013, but it's far from being operational due to several controversies. Particularly the anti-Iran stance of the USA influenced Pakistan to abandon the project. Things, however, have changed after the US-Iran Nuclear Deal and Iran is no more under enormous sanctions. Pakistan at the same time never utterly gave up the project. Good omens are apparent for the future of this project.

Pakistan shares Marine Border with Oman
Pakistan and Oman settled their maritime under an agreement in 2000; adhering to the International Law of Sea. This sharing of a maritime boundary with the brotherly country of Oman can interpret Pakistan's geographical importance in the sense of access to Oman's undersea energy resources. The sea route can also be used to have access to the Persian Gulf and its littoral states.