mpt · CSS study notes
Geography of Pakistan
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Every fact below is drawn from Past Paper MCQs (2022–2026) + 2027 Prep. Cross-reference Constitutions for the constitutional status of GB/AJK, Ideology & History for the history behind the borders, and Economy basics for the resources (Sui gas) that turn geography into economics.
Federating units
- 4 provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan (2022 Q12)
- Plus two separately-administered, semi-autonomous territories that are not full provinces: Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir — see Constitutions for their exact constitutional status
- FATA no longer exists as a separate unit — merged into KPK by the 25th Amendment (2018), see Constitutions
Borders & neighbors
- Pakistan lies in South Asia (2022 Q14)
- 4 land neighbors: China, Iran, India, Afghanistan (2022 Q15)
- The Afghanistan border is the Durand Line, demarcated in 1893 (2023 Q15; 2025 Q15) — background on Ideology & History
- The Strait of Hormuz — a shipping lane connecting the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf — runs through Pakistani waters (2026 Q1)
Rivers — the Indus Waters Treaty (1960)
| Side | Rivers allocated | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Given to India (Eastern rivers) | Sutlej, Beas, Ravi | 2022 Q5 |
| Kept by Pakistan (Western rivers) | Indus, Jhelum, Chenab | 2027 prediction, paired with 2022 Q5 |
- Full treaty background and the 1960 signing context is on Ideology & History.
Glaciers
- Siachen Glacier — the world's highest battlefield, in the Karakoram range (2026 Q3)
- Batura Glacier — length ≈57 km, one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions (2026 Q5)
Islands
- Astola Island — Pakistan's largest island, also called "Jazira Haft Talar" (2026 Q6)
Natural landmarks
- "Princess of Hope" rock formation — Balochistan (2025 Q7)
- Hingol National Park — Balochistan (2025 Q8)
- Lake Saif-ul-Malook — Mansehra (2025 Q9)
- Chitral — known as the "Jewel of Hindukush" (2025 Q17)
Administrative & infrastructure facts
- Sukkur Barrage — Pakistan's oldest barrage (2025 Q13)
- Faisal Mosque (Islamabad) — established 1986; also pictured on the new SBP 10-rupee coin (2025 Q3, Q14)
- Sialkot–Lahore Motorway — designated M11 (2025 Q20)
- Pakistan Naval War College — located in Lahore (2025 Q5)
Resources
- Pakistan's largest gas reserve is at Sui — full economic detail on Economy basics (2025 Q2)
See also
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- Constitutions — the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and ex-FATA
- Ideology & History — the historical events (Durand Line 1893, Indus Waters Treaty 1960) behind these borders and rivers
- Economy basics — Sui gas and other resources as economic facts
- Past Paper MCQs (2022–2026) + 2027 Prep — source MCQs for every geography fact above