首页 - Pakistan Studies
Pakistan Studies/Pakistan Research Center
Inner Mongolia Honder College of Arts and Sciences
Pakistan, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is one of the most strategically important countries in South Asia. Located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, Pakistan occupies a significant geographical position connecting major regional economic and cultural routes.
With a long history dating back to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, Pakistan possesses diverse landscapes, abundant natural resources, and a multicultural society. The country plays an important role in regional connectivity, international trade, and global cooperation.
As an important partner of China, Pakistan has maintained close cooperation with China in areas including infrastructure development, education, energy, trade, and cultural exchange. Understanding Pakistan’s geographical conditions and demographic characteristics provides an important foundation for academic research and international cooperation.
Pakistan is located in the northwestern part of the South Asian subcontinent, covering an area of approximately 796,000 square kilometers.
It shares borders with four countries:
To the south, Pakistan faces the Arabian Sea, with a coastline extending approximately 840 kilometers.
Its unique geographical position makes Pakistan an important bridge connecting East Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The country’s capital is Islamabad, while major urban and economic centers include Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Faisalabad.
Pakistan is a federal republic consisting mainly of:
In addition, Pakistan administers regions including:
The provinces are further divided into districts, tehsils, and local administrative units.
Among these regions, Punjab is the most populous province and serves as an important agricultural and industrial center. Sindh, particularly Karachi, is Pakistan’s major commercial and financial hub. Balochistan is known for its vast territory and rich mineral resources, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has historically served as an important gateway between South and Central Asia.
Pakistan features remarkable geographical diversity, including high mountains, plateaus, deserts, fertile plains, and coastal areas.
Approximately three-fifths of Pakistan’s territory consists of mountains and hills.
The northern part of the country is home to three world-famous mountain ranges:
These mountain systems meet in northern Pakistan, creating some of the world’s most spectacular natural landscapes.
Pakistan’s highest peak is K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen), located in the Karakoram Range, with an elevation of 8,611 meters. It is the second-highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest and attracts mountaineers and researchers from around the globe.
Another major geographical feature is the Indus River, one of the most important rivers in South Asia.
Originating from the Tibetan Plateau in China, the Indus River enters Pakistan from the north and flows approximately 2,300 kilometers before emptying into the Arabian Sea. The river system provides essential water resources for agriculture, industry, and daily life.
Pakistan generally experiences a warm climate, with significant regional variations.
The country’s climate can be divided into several zones:
The average annual temperature is approximately 27°C, although temperatures vary greatly between regions.
Rainfall is generally limited, with more than three-quarters of the country receiving less than 250 millimeters of annual precipitation.
Due to seasonal variations in the Indus River system, Pakistan has developed extensive irrigation networks and water management projects. These systems support agricultural production, particularly in the fertile Indus Plain, which is one of the most important farming regions in South Asia.
Major agricultural products include:
Agriculture remains a key sector of Pakistan’s economy and provides livelihoods for a large proportion of the population.
Pakistan possesses significant natural resources, including energy resources and minerals.
According to estimates from the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), the country has considerable mineral reserves.
Major resources include:
| Resource | Estimated Reserves |
|---|---|
| Coal | Approximately 185 billion tons |
| Natural Gas | Approximately 492 billion cubic meters |
| Oil | Approximately 184 million barrels |
| Iron Ore | Approximately 430 million tons |
| Bauxite | Approximately 74 million tons |
The majority of Pakistan’s coal resources are located in Sindh Province, particularly in the Thar coalfield.
Pakistan is also known for deposits of:
These resources provide significant potential for industrial development, energy security, and international cooperation.
The country’s forest coverage remains relatively limited, accounting for approximately 4.8 percent of total land area.
Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world.
According to Pakistan’s national census conducted in 2017, the country’s population reached approximately 207 million, representing the first nationwide population census in nearly two decades.
The census recorded:
Pakistan became one of the first countries in the region to officially include transgender citizens in national population statistics.
The census showed that approximately 63.6 percent of Pakistan’s population lived in rural areas, reflecting the continued importance of agriculture and rural communities.
With a young population structure, Pakistan has significant human resource potential, particularly in areas such as technology, manufacturing, education, and services.
Pakistan is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country.
The major ethnic groups include:
Punjabis represent the largest ethnic group, accounting for approximately 63 percent of the population.
They mainly live in Punjab Province, which is Pakistan’s political, agricultural, and industrial center.
Sindhis account for approximately 18 percent of the population and are primarily concentrated in Sindh Province.
Sindh has a rich cultural heritage and is home to Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic center.
Pashtuns represent around 11 percent of the population and mainly live in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern regions.
They have a distinctive cultural tradition, language, and social structure.
Baloch people account for approximately 4 percent of the population and are mainly located in Balochistan Province, Pakistan’s largest province by area.
Balochistan is known for its strategic location, natural resources, and cultural diversity.
China and Pakistan have maintained close friendship and cooperation for decades.
With the expansion of economic cooperation, particularly under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), exchanges between the two countries have increased significantly.
According to available estimates, nearly 100,000 Chinese citizens and overseas Chinese personnel have lived, worked, or conducted business activities in Pakistan at different times.
Chinese communities and enterprises are mainly concentrated in economically developed areas such as:
Their activities cover various fields, including:
These exchanges have contributed to strengthening economic links and people-to-people understanding between China and Pakistan.
