Geography of Pakistan
Pakistan is located in South Asia and covers approximately 881,913 square kilometers. The country shares borders with China (north), Afghanistan (west), Iran (southwest), and India (east), and has a coastline along the Arabian Sea in the south.
Physical Geography of Pakistan
Pakistan’s geography includes high mountain ranges, plateaus, fertile plains, deserts, river systems, and coastal regions.
1. Northern Mountain Region
The northern part of Pakistan contains some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. These are mainly located in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
1.1 Karakoram Range
Province/Region: Gilgit-Baltistan
- Highest Peak: K2 (8611 m)
- Major Cities: Skardu, Gilgit
- Major Valleys: Hunza, Shigar, Khaplu
- Major Glaciers: Baltoro Glacier (63 km), Siachen Glacier (76 km)
Distances (Approximate by Road):
- Islamabad to Skardu: 640 km
- Islamabad to Gilgit: 510 km
- Gilgit to Hunza: 100 km
- Skardu to Hunza: 290 km
1.2 Himalayas
Provinces/Regions: Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Northern KPK, Northern Punjab
- Highest Peak: Nanga Parbat (8126 m) – Diamer District
- Major Cities: Murree (Punjab), Abbottabad (KPK), Muzaffarabad (AJK)
- Major Valleys: Kaghan Valley (KPK), Neelum Valley (AJK)
Distances:
- Islamabad to Murree: 65 km
- Islamabad to Abbottabad: 125 km
- Islamabad to Naran (Kaghan Valley): 270 km
- Islamabad to Muzaffarabad: 140 km
1.3 Hindu Kush
Province: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Highest Peak: Tirich Mir (7,708 m)
- Major Cities: Chitral, Swat (Mingora), Dir
Distances:
- Islamabad to Swat (Mingora): 247 km
- Islamabad to Chitral: 405 km
- Swat to Chitral: 320 km
2. Western Mountain Ranges
These ranges extend through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and parts of Sindh.
2.1 Sulaiman Range
Provinces: South KPK, Western Punjab, Northern Balochistan
- Major Cities: Dera Ismail Khan (KPK), Dera Ghazi Khan (Punjab)
Distances:
- Multan to D.G. Khan: 180 km
- D.I. Khan to D.G. Khan: 160 km
2.2 Kirthar Range
Provinces: Sindh and Balochistan
- Major Cities: Karachi (Sindh), Hub (Balochistan)
Distances:
- Karachi to Hub: 48 km
- Karachi to Kund Malir: 240 km
3. Plateaus of Pakistan
3.1 Balochistan Plateau
Province: Balochistan
- Elevation: 600 m to 3000 m
- Major Cities: Quetta, Zhob, Khuzdar, Turbat
- Landscape: Arid mountains, dry lakes (Hamuns)
Distances:
- Karachi to Quetta: 690 km
- Quetta to Zhob: 330 km
- Quetta to Khuzdar: 300 km
3.2 Potwar Plateau
Province: Northern Punjab
- Major Cities: Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum
- Bounded by:
- North: Margalla Hills
- South: Salt Range
- East: River Jhelum
- West: River Indus
### 3.3 Salt Range Province: Punjab
- Location: South of Potwar Plateau, between Jhelum and Indus Rivers
- Major Attractions: Khewra Salt Mine (world's 2nd largest)
- Nearby Cities: Jhelum, Pind Dadan Khan
Distances:
- Islamabad to Taxila: 35 km
- Islamabad to Chakwal: 90 km
- Islamabad to Jhelum: 120 km
4. Indus Plain
The Indus Plain lies in Punjab and Sindh provinces and is the most fertile region of Pakistan.
4.1 Upper Indus Plain (Punjab)
- Major Cities: Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, Gujranwala
Distances:
- Lahore to Faisalabad: 180 km
- Lahore to Multan: 340 km
- Faisalabad to Multan: 240 km
4.2 Lower Indus Plain (Sindh)
- Major Cities: Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana
Distances:
- Karachi to Hyderabad: 150 km
- Hyderabad to Sukkur: 360 km
- Sukkur to Larkana: 85 km
5. Deserts of Pakistan
5.1 Thar Desert
Province: Sindh
- Major City: Mithi
Distance: - Karachi to Mithi: 400 km
5.2 Cholistan Desert
Province: Punjab
- Major City: Bahawalpur
Distance: - Lahore to Bahawalpur: 420 km
5.3 Thal Desert
Province: Punjab
- Located between Jhelum and Indus Rivers
Distance: - Lahore to Mianwali (Thal region): 320 km
6. Coastal Region
Pakistan has approximately 1,046 km of coastline along the Arabian Sea.
6.1 Sindh Coast
- Major City: Karachi
- Features: Beaches and Indus Delta
6.2 Balochistan Coast
- Major Cities: Gwadar, Ormara, Pasni
Distances:
- Karachi to Gwadar: 622 km
- Gwadar to Ormara: 230 km
- Karachi to Ormara: 360 km
7. Major River System
Indus River
The Indus River enters Pakistan from Gilgit-Baltistan, flows through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, and empties into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.
Major Tributaries (for orientation only): - Jhelum River - Chenab River - Ravi River - Sutlej River - Kabul River
8. Climate Overview
Pakistan has four main seasons:
- Winter (December – February)
- Spring (March – April)
- Summer (May – August)
- Monsoon (July – September)
Northern regions experience snowfall in winter, while southern regions remain warm throughout the year. Coastal areas have a humid climate, and deserts experience extreme temperatures.
Human Geography of Pakistan (Updated 2026)
Human geography focuses on population, cities, agriculture, and transport systems.
1. Population & Major Cities
Population (2026 estimate): ~259 Million
Punjab
- Major Cities: Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala
Distances:
- Lahore to Faisalabad: 180 km
- Lahore to Multan: 340 km
- Rawalpindi to Islamabad: 15 km
Sindh
- Major Cities: Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana
Distances:
- Karachi to Hyderabad: 150 km
- Hyderabad to Sukkur: 360 km
- Karachi to Larkana: 490 km
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Major Cities: Peshawar, Mardan, Swat (Mingora), Abbottabad
Distances:
- Islamabad to Peshawar: 155 km
- Peshawar to Swat (Mingora): 165 km
- Abbottabad to Murree: 80 km
Balochistan
- Major Cities: Quetta, Turbat, Khuzdar, Gwadar
Distances:
- Quetta to Gwadar: 900 km
- Quetta to Turbat: 750 km
- Quetta to Khuzdar: 300 km
2. Agriculture
Major Crops (tourist-relevant):
- Mangoes: Multan, Sindh
- Citrus: Sargodha
- Wheat, Rice, Cotton: Punjab & Sindh
Distances Between Agricultural Cities:
- Lahore to Sargodha: 200 km
- Multan to Bahawalpur: 100 km
3. Transport System (Updated 2026)
Roads / Motorways
| Motorway | Route | Status / Length |
|---|---|---|
| M-1 | Islamabad – Peshawar | 155 km (Operational) |
| M-2 | Islamabad – Lahore | 375 km (Operational) |
| M-5 | Multan – Sukkur | 392 km (Operational) |
| M-6 | Sukkur – Hyderabad | Under Construction (Launch: May 2026) |
| M-9 | Karachi – Hyderabad | 136 km (Operational) |
| M-14 | Islamabad – D.I. Khan | 285 km (Operational - CPEC Western Route) |
Distances Between Key Cities (Road):
- Lahore to Islamabad: 380 km
- Multan to Sukkur: 392 km
- Karachi to Hyderabad: 150 km
Railways
- Main line: Karachi → Hyderabad → Sukkur → Multan → Lahore → Rawalpindi → Peshawar
Airports
- International: Karachi (Jinnah), Lahore (Allama Iqbal), Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta
- Regional / Domestic: Skardu, Gilgit, Turbat, Gwadar
Ports
- Karachi Port (Sindh)
- Port Qasim (Sindh)
- Gwadar Port (Balochistan)