Plains in PAKISTAN

The Upper Indus Plain

The Northern part of Indus Plain is known as Punjab (West and East)nthe
greater portion of which lies in Pakistan .The level plain is largely made of fertile
alluvium deposited by the river Indus and its rubutaries.Orly near
Sargodha,Chiniot and Sangla,some old dry hills rise above the plain known as
the Kirana hills.

The land which lies between two rivers is known as "doab" .The Punjab plain
is,therefore,divided into several doabs e.g.The Bari doab (land between Sutlej
and Ravi),the Rechna doab (land between the Ravi and the Chenab),the Chaj
doab (land between the Chenab and the Jhelum) and the Sindh Sagar doab
(land between the Kirana Bar (in the middle of the Chaj doab).

The land in the center of the doab rises to an elevated land called "bar" e.g,the
Nili Bar (between the Sutlej and the Beas),the Ganji Bar (the old course of the
beas and the Ravi),the Sandal Bar (in the middle of the Rechna Doab) and the
Kirana Bar (in the middle of the Chaj Doab).

The Sub Mountain plain area ,west of the indus known as "Derajat" is divided
into the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Dera Ismail Khan.

The annually flooded riverine area is called "Bet" and agriculturally is the most
important area.

The Lower Indus Plain

Below Mithonkot in Sindh, the Indus carries not only its own water but also that
of its five big tributarfes..The river flows very slowly and the silt carried by it is
largely deposil on its bed,there fore severe floods are experienced,but the soil is
very fertile.

The area is marked by ox-bow lakes locally called "Dhoros" and small salt lakes
called "Dhands".

West of the Indus lies the high Kirtan prdment plain which slopes gently to the
river.

Economic Importance

1.Both upper and lower Indus plain are the most important agricultural areas in
Pakistan .Wheat ,rice ,cotton,sugar cane,malze,barley,millets,grains,,oil
seeds,tobacco and fruits are the main crops.

2.The plain areas produce the bulk of food grains,agricultural raw ,material
,vast market,food poducts and manufactured goods.Hence most of the
Pakistan's greatest industries are located in the plains.

3.These plains with gentle slope ,levelled lopography are suitable for the
construction of canals.Our Pakistan has got world's one of the most exellent
system of irrigation.

4.The ease of mobility on plains also facilitates the exchange of foods,hence

Pakistan's roads and railways are found mobily in the plain areas.

5.The economic activities of man are the greatest in the plains also the
developed,civilized,cultured areas,greatest cities consontration of population in
Pakistan are found in there areas.

6.Actually the plain areas are the gift of the Indus and its tributariesn .Also
these plains are the cradles of the old civilization e.g.Mohen-jo-daro in Sindh
and Harrappa in Punjab.

The Desert Regions

There are three different desert areas located in Punjab and Sindh e.g.:

1.Thal Desert:

More than three fourth of the Sindh Sagar Doab is still a desert or semi-desert
(in between Chenab-Jhelum and indus river).

2.The area in South of Bahawalpur is an arid waste of shifting sand and is

known as "Cholistan".

3.In the eastern parts of the Khairpur and Tharparkar districts,the desert areas
are known as "Pat" and "Thar" respectively.

Economic Importance

Annual rainfall is less than 5.Population is very sparse Agriculture is carried on

with the help of durigation.Also rearing of animals is carried on to some extent.

The Indus Delta

The Indus Delta is marked by a number of tributaries of the Indus River,from

Thatta to Arabian Sea.Most of the part is covered with mangrove swamps.The
eastern part is more swampy than the western.Most of the area is
barren.Agriculture is carried out in small patches.

Economic Importance

The major part of the delta is burren.Agriculture is practiced in small

patches.The irrigational facilities provided by the Kotri Barrage have made it
possible to reclaim a vast area of the delta.

Coastal Areas

Pakistan has about 600 miles of coastline ,about 150 miles of which is in Sindh
from Kutch to Karachi and about 450 miles long coast is in Baluchistan from
Karachi to Jiwani.

Economic Importance

The progress of any country depends upon its coastal importance.International

trade with the out side world is carried on through its ports.For this purpose,in
Pakistan,the ports of Karachi and port Qasim are of very great importance .Also
these ports have great defence value.Majority of the coastal population are
fishermen.Fish is not only consumed as food internally,but it is also a source of
earning foreign exchange.

Population

Details of Population

Since Independence the population of Pakistan has increased four-fold from

32.5 million in 1947 to 117.32 million on January 1,1992 of which :

47,063,000 live in Punjab

19,029,000 live in Sindh

11,062,000 in NWFP

4332,000 live in Baluchistan

2,198,00 live FATA

340,000 live in Islamabad

(FATA-Fedrally Administered Tribal Area)

Rate of Population Growth

The growth of Population depends upon the net addition of the people which is
related to the behavior of three factors,migration,birth rate and death rate.

Pakistan being a developing country provides no attraction for the people from
the other parts of the world and so the influence of migration on its population

growth is almost negligible .It is therefore clear that the rate of population
growth in the country is influenced by the difference between the birth and
death rates.

Therefore, the high rate of growth is due to natural increase, that is,the excess
of births over deaths.Pakistan has one of the highest rates of Population growth
in the World.The population is increasing at the rate of 3.1% per anum as
against 3.5% for Mexico,2.3% for India,2% for China,1.6% for U.S.A ,2% for
Asia and Africa ,1% for Europe and average rate 1.8% for the whole world.At
this speed of growth ,the total population by the year 2000 will touch 150
million.

Population Density

Density of population refers to the number of people living per square km.Its
study is important because through it the pressure on the land can be measured
and also magnitude of the requirements of the people can be assessed .It also
becomes the base for economic planning.

The density of population in Pakistan,according to the 1981 census,is estimated

at 106 persons per sq.km.as against 82 persons in 1972 census.The
density,however,varies widely between provinces.The Punjab has the highest
density of 230 persons,compared to 12 persons per sq.km.for Baluchistan,135
for Sindh,148 for NWFP ,81 for FATA and 376 for Islamabad.

Causes of Difference in Density of Population

1.The more densely populated centres of Pakistan are situated in the Urban

areas,which are the busiest centres of trade and commerce.Besides,so many

industries have also developed around these areas.The surrounding
areas,around Lahore,Faisalabad and Gujranwala,are very fertile.The irrigation
facilities are available ,so the necessities of life can be had easily.The
employment facilities in different industrial and commercial units are also
available.That is why the population of rural area is migrating towards these
Urban centres and their population is increasing very rapidly.

2.The areas situated in the plains are more densely populated than the
mountain,regions,because the mountains having pugged topography are not
suitable for agricultural activities.Besides,in winter, due to intense cold,snowfall
is common and the mean of transportation become ineffective the
establishment of industries not possible in these areas due to scarcity of
resources.That these areas are thinly populated.

3.In the plains ,the density if population also differs in various regions.The areas
of Punjab and Sindh there irrigation facilities and other resources are
available,density of population is more than the dry Barani
areas.Lahore,Faisalabad,Gujranwala,Multan districts are more dense than
Attock,Jhelum and Dera Ghazi Khan districts.Similarly in
Sindh,Hyderabad,Larkana,Nawabshah districts are more densely populated than
Tharparkar,Thatta,Dadu and Sanghar Districts.

4.Those areas which are situated far away and where climate is
intense,irrigation facilities are not available ,rain is meager and there is scarcity
of resources,even the water for drinking purpose has to be brought from long
distances,there density of populatBirth and Death Rates
1.Birth Rate

Birth rate in Pakistan also figures highest in the World.In 1988 it stood at 41 per
100 persons.Factors responsible for the high birth rate in our country are :

(i) Climatic Conditions

(ii) Poverty

(iii) Ill-Literacy

(iv) Social Convention

(v) Psychology of the people

(vi) Economic Conditions and to marry in the early age and

(vii) Religious minded people.

2.Death Rate

Death rate in Pakistan ,particularly of women and infants is very high.In 1988 it
stood at 11 per 100 persons.It is because of this factor that the average age in
Pakistan is below 30 years.

Distribution of Population in Pakistan

(A)Rural/Urban Distribution

The basis of Urbanity of settlement in Pakistan is its administrative organization

(metropolitan, municipality,town committee,cantonment, civilizations,satellite
town) and size (5,000 persons or over).Pakistan is pre-dominantly an
agricultural country,inspite of the developments of the last more than three

decades in the field of industry and commerce.Hence,the vast majority of the

population lives in rural areas.

The table below gives the percentage of the population of Pakistan by

Arban/Rural areas during the last four censuses:

Census Year -----------------------Percentage of Population Rural

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...................................'Urban......... .........................Rural

1951------------------------------17.8%----------------------------------------82.2%

1961------------------------------22.50%---------------------------------------77.50%

1972------------------------------25.48%---------------------------------------74.52%

1981------------------------------28.28%---------------------------------------71.72%

Percentage figures of urban population to the total since the beggining of

regular censuses in the country,indicate a general acceleration of growth of
urban population.The rate of natural increase of urban population has been

lower than that of rural population.The higher rate of growth of urban

population is,therefore,largely a result of rural-urban migration.

1.Dense Population

With the passage of time ,the village autonomy and solidarity crumbled under
impact of economic forces conductive to rural urban migration.The "freedom" of
the city or the availability of greater job opportunities in the town acted as a
magnet.

The process of industrialization has involved marked shifts with the use of
material and human resources.It has altered the occupational large-scale
movement of population from rural to the urban areas.

Pakistan is essentially dry with a large area of un-productive and barren

land.For example,in the hills and sandy wastes of Sindh and Baluchistan,the
population is very sparse.By contrast,the fertile Indus plain supports a fairly
dense population.Since,with the help of irrigation.It is possible to grow good
crops there.The highest density-over 2,000 persons per square kilometer is in
Karachi division and 1,984 persons per sq.km.is found in Lahore division.This
is,of course,due to that city's great urban,commercial and industrial
development.In the same way,other industrial districts like
Faisalabad,Hyderabad,Peshawar,Rawalpindi and Mardan are densely populated.

In most of the metropoliton centres,improvement of facilities has called to keep

pace with the rapid growth of population and these cities can be said
overgrown.The distances to be covered are long and the means of transport and
the width of the roads in adequate and these cities are also known as city of
problems or city of smoke.

The historical evolution of the cities has been such that they have two distinct
parts,the old and the modern.The modern sections have wide roads,impressive
lay-out and expensive buildings.The old city suffers from narrow roads and
alleys,closest and small buildings and residential over crowding .Also,problems

of "Katchi Abadis" are also growing rapidly.

2.Sparsely Populated Areas

Before the advent of canal irrigation the population of rural areas was very
sparse.After the construction of canals,water became available to areas away
from the rivers,new settlements grew in the irrigated areas of Sindh and Punjab
and there was a continuous rise of population.On the other side ,sparsely
populated areas in the country are :

(i) The Northern and Western hill tracts

(ii) The dry plateau of Baluchistan

(iii) The desert areas of Thal,Thar and Cholistan

In these regions,low rainfall and soll that is either sandy or stone have resulted
in barren or waste lands.For these reasons cultivation is difficult.As a result ,the
density of population is less than 50 persons per sq.km.In the more barren
regions of Kalat Division,there are only 10 persons per sq.km. and in Chaghi
and Kharan,where less than three percent of the area is cultivated,the density
falls as low as two.

(B) Distribution of Sex

The last three population censuses estimates and also that of 1992 are as
follows:

Census Year-----------------Total-------------- Male--------------------------------Female

1961-------------------------- 42,978-------------23,017 ------------------------------19,961

1972---------------------------65,321-------------34,840-------------------------------30,481

1981---------------------------84,253-------------44,232-------------------------------40,021

1992---------------------------11,7310------------61,000-------------------------------56,310

(estimated)

(C) Distribution By Age

According to 1981 census the distribution of population by age is as under:

(1) Under 15 years-44.04%

(ii) 15 to 54 years-51.84%

(iii) 65 years and above-4.12%

It will be observed that people falling in the age group (15 t 54) years may be
considered working population which is 51.84%,remaining 48.16% is the
dependent population .The high degree of dependency is due to the high
proportion of children in the total population.

(D) Literacy-Wise Population

In Pakistan the literate people in towns is higher than in villages.Similarly it is

higher in men than in women.Ratio of educated men and women is 23% and
7.5% respectively.Among the literate persons in Pakistan only 3.15% have been
educated upto secondary school level or above.According to the present census
report,only 20% of the workers are educated .Only 0.40% of the total
population have done their B.A Even fewer are highly educated.

Agriculture and Its Problems in Pakistan

Introduction

From time Immemorial,agriculture has been the major occupation of the people
of Pakistan.Even today agriculture is a major sector and occupies a very
important place in the economy of Pakistan.It not only provides food for our
growing population but is a source of raw materials for our principal industries
as well as a source of foreign exchange for our government.

32% of our gross domestic products belong to this sector.It engages 53% of our
employed labour .About 75% of our people are engaged directly or indirectly
with this profession.A large part (about 10%) of Pakistan's exports is made up
of primary commodities ,including the major cash crops.In addition to this

major large scale industries like cotton textile and sugar etc.as well as medium
and small scale agro-based and cottage industries are directly dependent on
this sector for their raw materials.

Problems

Following are the causes of our backwardness in agriculture:

1.Lack of Education

The farmers of our country are mostly un-educated and lack technical
knowledge .They are unable to unde4rstand the modern scientific methods of
agriculture and often remain ignorant of good means to protect and increase
their yield.Their production is therefore low.

2.Lack of Capital

The majority of our farmers are poor and they often live in a hand to mouth
position.Most of them are always under heavy burdens of debts.So due to lack
of capital they cannot afford to purchase modern scientific implements,chemical
manures,improved types of seeds etc.Hence they can not attain the required
standards.

3.Following the Old Traditions

Most of our farmers are still stuck to the old traditions of their fore fathers.The
circumstances have compelled them to use the crude implements,because due
to small holdings of land and poverty they are unable to acquire and use
modern scientific methods.That is why their standard is lower than that of

cultivators in developed countries.

4.Water-logging and Salinity

Due to excessive use of canal water,most of our cultivated lands have become
victims of these two dangerous diseases.Every year ,salinity alone,is turning
about 1,00,000 acres of arable land into marches and salt lands.Water-logging
is no less injurious.On the other hand the measures taken so far are quite
inadequate for such issues.

5.Uneconomical Land Holdings

Due to our law of inheritance,our farmers command very small pieces of hands
which prove to be costly.A farmer cannot afford tractors and other machineries
for a small piece of land and those his income is low.Hence his interest is
converted to some other sector.

6.Scarcity of Water

Our farmers have to face many problems due to scarcity of water which is one
our major problems.Large tracts of land estimated to be about 22 million acres
is lying uncultivated due to shortage of water.Rainfall is uncertain and the
existing irrigational facilities in our country are quite insufficient and need to be
extended.

7.Land Tenure System

The land tenure system of Pakistan has creates a chain of intermediatries in

between the state and the tenants.The system,instead of being conductive to
agricultural development ,stands in the way of its progress.

8.Soil Erosion

In some areas of our country,especially in hilly regions,the upper fertile soil is

being eroded by different natural agents of change .Thus the fertility is poor and
soils are becoming less productive.

9.Lack of Organized Marketing

The marketing facilities for agricultural products in Pakistan are still far from
satisfactory level.Our cultivators can not get just prices for their produce due to
defective marketing organization. Moreover the chain of middlemen between
the producers and ultimate consumers take a heavy share of their produce
.Thus the cultivators do not take much real interest in increasing their product
too.

10.Pests and Crop Diseases

Due to lack of agricultural education and methods of modern research,our

farmers cannot control the various diseases of crops and attacks of pests and
insects.The result is low yields.

11.Poor Means of Transportation

The agricultural activities in our country are performed in rural areas,but most
of our villages have no road or railway links with our markets.So farmers have
to face innumerable hardships to sell their products.Hence the farmers take
very little interest in their profession and production suffers.

12.Lack of Credit Facilities

The resources required for agricultural operation are land,layout,live stock,farm

equipment, seeds,fertilizers,irrigation,transport etc.For the convenient and

timely procurement of these resources the farmers must have easy access to
credit.The A.D.B.P and commercial banks provide loans to the farmers which
are insufficient because our farmers are very poor.

13.Low Yield Per Acre

Due to the above mentioned facts ,it is clear that the yield per acre of various
crops in our country is comparatively low than of the other countries.Hence we
are backward agriculturally.

Suggestions Or Remedies To Overcome The Problems

1.Reclamation of Land

The land which has been declared useless due to salinity and water-logging
should be reclaimed.Tube-wells should be installed in the affected areas to
decrease the salinity.Beds of new canals should be made of concrete to avoid
water-logging.These measures should be taken on priority basis to avoid further
deterioration of land .

2.Irrigation Facilities

The major problem of agriculture in Pakistan is scarcity of water.Most of the

land is lying unused due to this problem.Therefore,it is necessary that the
irrigation facilities be extended for increasing agricultural out put.

3.The Use Of Fertilizers

The agricultural yield can also be increased to a great extent by using

fertilizers.The use of artificial manure should be introduced through out the
country.Due to poverty and illiteracy our farmers hesitate to purchase the
fertilizers.

4.Credit Facilities

The use of better seeds,fertilizers and modern implements is not possible

without adequate credit facilities for the farmers.The government has extended
the existing credit facilities to a large extent. The commercial banks also grant
loans to the farmers,but still there is a need for more facilities as our farmers
are very poor.

5.Better Seeds

The farmers should be provided better quality seeds at the lowest price and at
the right time.Better seeds will ultimately give better yield.

6.Plant Protection

Various plant diseases damage a large part of our crops.But our farmers have
no effective control over them.Therefore,preventive and neurative measures
should be taken throughout the country.

7.Mechanization

Mechanization of agriculture refers to the use of various equipments the

different stages of cultivation.By the use of modern equipments better results
can be achieved in the shortest time.

8.Co-operative Farming

Co-operative farming refers to the farming done on the basis of mutual help and
co-operation.Under this method the small holdings are consqildated .In this way
the owners of small holdings can also use fertilizers and modern equipments
jointly.After harvesting,the yield can be distributed among the owners according
to their ownership.

9.Education Level

Increase of literacy ratio in rural areas especially in agre-education is the need

of the day.The more educated the farmers will be the better will be the results
achieved.

10.Marketing Facilities

Marketing procedures should be simplified and various marketing facilities

should be provided to the cultivators.

11.Improvement In The Means Of transportation And Communication

The rural areas of the country must be provided with road and railway links with
marketing centres and better means of transport and communication should be
provided.

Climatic Regions of Pakistan

Climate

The atmospheric conditions at any conditions at any place are known as

weather.Climate is a generalization of the day to day weather conditions during

the course of a year.It means average weather,including its variation from

season to season.Temperature ,pressure,wind rainfall etc.are the composite
parts or elements of climate.The climate of a particular place is controlled by
several geographical ractors like:

(a) Distance from the equator

(b) Distance from the Sea

(c) Altitude or height above sea level etc.

Climate of Pakistan

The whole of Pakistan lies in the warm temperate zone.It lies roughly between
24 degree N and 37degree N latitude.Pakistan is noted for hot summer and cold
winters with semi-arid to arid conditions prevailing in most parts,sub-humid
conditions in a small area in the north.The topographic diversity and location of
large areas a long distance from the sea have all the more intensified the
climate contrasts.The rainfall is generally low .The monsoons bring such marked
characteristics that a seasons in Pakistan.

1.Winter season (from November to February)

2.Summer season (from March to June)

3.Monsoon or Rainy season (from July to October)

Climatic Regions Of Pakistan

Keeping in view the various climatic factors,Pakistan can be divided into the
following climatic regions:

1.Sub-Tropical Continental Highland Type

This region includes the mountains in the North and West of the Indus plain.In
this region winters are cold and lengthy and often the temperatures goes below
the freezing point; and the higher peaks remain snow -covered throughout the
year.But here summer remains short cool and temperature .The North Western
mountain areas have less amount of rainfall as compared to North Eastern
mountains,e.g.from South of Kohat and Waziristan rainfall decreases,so Quetta
division in Baluchistan has a dry climate and there the mean annual rainfall is
not more than 50 to 100 millimeters.It mostly comes during winter and spring
.The North Western mountainous areas are less fertile and have barren rocks
without any natural vegetation.Due to some rain in winter and spring,some
grass and shrubs appear,which promotes the rearing of sheep and goats.

2.Sub-Tropical Continental Plateau Type

This region includes the north western part of Baluchistan Province.Here winters
are cold ,and in summer temperature goes higher enough and often dust storms
prevail .Although it has higher altitude ,but due to poor rainfall,these have
turned into arid desert.In these areas there is scarcity of rain water and it is
less than 10 inches or 25 cm.annually ,but some of the places of these areas
have the lowest rainfall e.g.Nokundi has only 1.95 inches or 5 cm.of rainfall
annually,and rain often comes during the months of January and February.

3.Sub-Tropical Continental Low Lands Type

This region includes the interior areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces.It has
generally arid and extreme climate.Here summer remains long and hot,but
winters are cool and short.It has the hotest places of the country such as
Jaccobabad and Sibbi.

The rainy season begins in the middle of the summer months.The places which
are situated near pledmont areas have enough rainfall e.g. Sialkot has about 30
inches or 88.3 cm. of annual rainfall.But the western part of this plain is drier
than the eastern due to very poor rainfall e.g. Thal and Cholistan desert in
Punjab and Nara and Tharparker desert in Sindh.

4.Sub-Tropical Coastal Areas Type

This region includes the coastal strip around Karachi and Makran coast in
Baluchistan.Here due to the influence of the sea,the temperature remains
moderate ;the rainfall is about 7 inches or 18 cm.annually,but due to proximity
of the sea ,a large amount of humidity remains in the atmosphere.The influence
of sea breeze during day time is felt throughout the summer.

Irrigation
Need And Importance Of Irrigation

1.Most of the plain areas of Pakistan have been built by alluvial soil brought by
the River Indus and its tributaries.But due to deficient rainfall ,agricultural
activities cannot be performed without adopting some artificial means of
irrigation.So the areas lying between the rivers have provided irrigation facilities
through canals and various types of crops are grown in these areas.

2.The Rivers of our country used to take millions of gallons of water into the
Arabian Sea.That water is being used for canal irrigation and a number of dry
desert areas have become fertile and productive regions of our country.

3.The supply of water in our rivers remains irregular during the year.To regulate
the water supply throughout the year the year the water is stored by
constructing barrages,dams and weirs etc.

4.The slope of our country lies from north east towards south.This helps in the
construction of canals and water can easily be distributed through canals from
higher regions to lower areas.

5.All the rivers of our country come from snow-covered mountainous

areas,having abundance of rainfall in summer ,in those rivers a huge amount of
water comes due to heavy rainfall and the melting of snow during summer.Thus
we store this surplus water in huge dams which is used for irrigation purposes
in dry season.

6.The upper and lower areas of Indus plain have soft soil,where digging of
canals is easier,and cheap labour is available in abundance.That reduces the
cost of construction.That is why canal irrigation is preferred in our country.

7.Canal water adds to the fertility of the soil by bringing a number of organic
and in-organic matters with it,while the water of tube -wells lacks all these
matters,so people prefer canal irrigation.

8.Canal irrigation is the cheapest and easiest means by which vast areas can be
commanded and made productive.

Means Of Irrigation In Pakistan

The following means of irrigation are practiced in various areas of our country:

1.Wells or Tube-wells:

This is one of the oldest methods of irrigation which is being used from ancient
times in our country.Well irrigation is quite common in pledmont areas of North
Eastern mountains and in the vicinity of rivers where the water-table is
high.They are found all over the plain where canal water is not available and
water table is high enough for their construction.Many shallow wells are dug by
hand the areas where the water table is not far below the surface of the earth
.The water is then lifted by "Charas" or "Persian wheels" driven by oxen or
camels.

In areas where the water table is low and cheap electric power is available ,tube
wells are used;due to shortage of canal irrigation water ,government is
encouraging the farmers to dig more and more tube wells.

2.Canals:

Irrigation from rivers is an ancient practice.It was being carried before the birth
of christ in various areas of our country,but the modern system of large
perennial canals was introduced by the Britishers.The first modern canal in
Punjab was opened in 1859;it was taken out from river Ravi at madhopur
(Gurdaspur district,India).After that a number of canals have been taken out
from various rivers and our country has got one of the most excellent systems
of irrigation in the world.The canals found in our country may be divided into
the following types:

(a)Perennial Canals:

Those canals which supply water to their commanded areas throughout the year
are known as perennial canals.To regulate the supply dams and barrages have
been built.Most of the canals of our country are of this type.

(b)Non Perennial Canals:

Such canals runs only during the summer and the rainy season .They are closed
down during winter months when there is not enough water in the rivers.Some
of the canals from Sutlej ,the Sidhnal canals from Ravi and Haveli canals from
Chenab are of this type.Only one crop can be harvested in the commanded
areas of such types of canals.

(c) Inundation or Flood Canals:

These canals work only during the rainy season,when the rivers have a plenty of
water .Because no dam or barrage is built at their head ,their construction cost
being low,they also help in reducing the flood water and save the area from
many dangers.Many old canals from the Indus and Chenab are of this type.

(d)Karez:

In Baluchistan short underground canals called Karez have been built to carry
the water which soaks into the ground at the foot of the mountains to the fields
and villages .As the canals are underground no water is wasted by
evaporation.In Queta and Pashin districts this system is very popular and a
large area of this region is irrigated by the Karez system.

Canal Systems
The irrigated area is served by more than 40 major canal commands.Main
canals start from a barrage or dam or weir on a river.A barrage feeds one or
more main or link canals.A number of minor tributaries feed out of the main
canal and these in turn,serve a number of outlets to the farmers water-courses
each of which irrigates between 60 and 240 hectares.
There are three major groups of canal system :
(i) Canals on upper Indus Tributaries
(ii) Systems on the Indus
(iii) Systems west of the Indus.
(i) Systems On Upper-Indus Tributaries

The principal canal systems are:from the Jhelum,(a) Upper Jhelum canal,which
starts from Mangla,joins the Chenab at Khanki to give its surplus water to the
lower Chenab canal,and (b) the Lower Jhelum canal which starts from
Rasul:from the Chenab (a) the upper Chenab canal starting from marala and
joining the Ravi near Ballokin to supplement the water supply of the Lower Bari
Doab canal,(b) the lower Chenab canal from Khanki,and (c) the Haveli system
of canals from the Trimu weir below the junction of the Chenab and the
Jhelum;from the Ravi,(a) the upper Bari Doab canal,which begins in Madhopur
(India),irrigating mainly the Indian Punjab,with only its Lahore branch reaching
Pakistan,(b)the Lower Bari Doab canal from Balakot and (c) the Sidhanaj Canals
from the left bank of the Ravi at Sidhnal ;from the Sutlej,the Sutlej valley
project,in which canals depart from the river Gandas in
Ghwala,Sulaimanke,Islam and below the juction of the Sutlej with the Chenab
at Panjnad.
The upper Jhelum,the upper Chenab,and the lower Bari Doab canals together
form The Triple Project ,which was designed to carry surplus water from the
Jhelum to the Chenab ,and from the Chenab to the Ravi.
(ii) Systems On The Indus
The largest dam on the Indus has been built at Tarbela.Other barrages,in
descending order along the river,are Jinnah barrage near Kalabagh,part of the
Thal project;Taunsa Barrage 290 km.further downstream,which has 100,000 kw
power station in addition to diversion works;Guddu Barrage,150 km.upstream
from Sukkar;Sukkur or Liodyd Barrage,the oldest barrage on the river,and
Ghulam Mohammad Barrage,near Kotri.
(iii) Systems West of The Indus
These include (a) the Swat Canals departing from the river at Malakand (upper
Swat canal) and Abazal (Lower Swat Canal); (b) the warsak Multipupose Project
on the Kabul River 30 kms.north west of Peshawar which includes a 160,000
KW power plant;and (c) the kurram Garhi Project on the kurram and barren
rivers in Bannu tehsil.
In addition to these major projects.Some smaller dams have also been built by
the Water and power Development Authority (WAPDA).These include reil
Dam,Gomal Dam Multi-Purpose Project Khanpur Dam,and Hab Dam.The
Agricultural Development Corporation has set up the small Dam Organization to
construct dams of localized utility storing the flood water of hill stream.A
number of such dams have been constructed in the dry sub-mountain areas of
the north west.

Mangla And Tarbella Dam

The Mangla Dam
Under the Indus Basin Treaty,this is the second largest multi-purpose project
designed to control and conserve the flood water of the Jhelum for use mainly
as replacement irrigation supplies for the area which was served by the three
eastern rivers.On the Jhelum river near the village of the Mangla,about two
miles upstream from the regulator of the upper Jhelum Canal and about 20
miles from Jhelum town,a dam of the embankment type has been built.The dam
has crest length of about 11,000 feet and its height is 380 feet.The reservoir
created by the dam is about 40 miles long,having a storage capacity of 5.5
million acre feet.It is the second largest earth filled dam of our country.The
project is providing 400,000 kilowatts of electricity and 88 lakh acre feet water
for irrigation purposes.The design of the dam has a provision for future
extension.Its height can also be increased about 99 feet and storage capacity
can also be increased upto 9.6 million acre feet and electricity generated can
also be increased from the present 400,000 k.w. to one million k.w. The Mangla
lake has been developed as a fishing centre and a health and tourist resort.This
project was completed in 1967.

The Tarbela Dam

This is one of the largest earth and rock filled dam in the world.This dam has
been built on the river Indus at Tarbela,15 miles from maripur and 30 miles
from Attock.This is also a multipurpose project .The dam has a gross storage
capacity of 11.1 million acre feet.It is 9,000 feet long and 485 feet high.A 50
mile long lake has been built behind it.It will provide 21 lakh kilowatts of
electricity and 93 lakh acre feet of water for irrigation when completed .It
construction started in 1968 under the Indus Basin Treaty,and the dam was
completed in 1974.The installation of 10 units of electricity has been completed
in 1985.There is proposal of or the tarbela project that 2 large off-channel
reservoirs will have to be built to increase storage and lengthen the life of the
generating facilities,since silting is expected to reduce the life of main
dam.Water from Tarbela will be used in the Haro and Soan Basins and for
replacement the supplies will be diverted to the Chashma Jhelum link canal and
thence to the Trimmu-Sidhnaj-Mailsi-Bahawal link system.This project will help
other barrages to retain the supply of water.

Barrages
According to Indus Basin Treaty five barrages have been built and various link
canals have been taken out from these barages.
1.Chashma Barrage
A barrage has been built on River Indus at Chashma .A link Canal has been
taken out from the right bank of Chashma providing water to canals of jhelum
and Chenab.The work of Chashma wast Bank is under progress.It is hoped that
after completion,this canal will irrigate large area of barren land in Dera ismail
Khan and dera Ghazi Khan districts.
The other Barrages from where the following link canals have been taken out
are:
1. Rasul at Jhelum
2. Near Qadirabad on Chenab
3. Near Sighnaj on Ravi
4. Near Mailsi below the existing Islam headworks on the Sutlej.
All these Barrages have a total length of nearly 3 1/2 miles.These barrages are
providing about 100,000 cusecs of water to their link canals.

Link Canals
1.The Rasul-Qadirabad :
A 30 miles long canal has been built linking Rasul with Qadirabad and 19,000
cusecs water has been brought from Jhelum to Chenab.
2.Qadirabad-Balloki:
Qadirabad-Baloki link canal is supplying 18,600 cusec combine water of Jhelum
and Chenab to Ravi at baloki.It is about miles long.
3.The Balloki Sulemanki Link:
This link canal is providing 6,500 cusec water of Ravi to the Sutlej canals
,e.g.Pakpattan and Depalpur canals.
4.The Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal:
This link canal is 63 miles long and it is supplying 21,700 cusecs water of Indus
from Chashma to Jhelum so that the supply of water at Trimmu head works can
be maintained.
5.Trmmu-Sidhnal Link Canal:

Trmmu-Sidhnal link canal is providing 11,000 cusec combined water of Indus

,Jhelum and chenab at Sidhnal on Ravi
6.The Sidhnal-Mailsi-Bahawal Link:
It is a sixty miles long canal,which is carrying the Indus,Jhelum and Chenab
waters to the Islam headwrks canals from the Sutlej.
7.The Taunsa-Punjnad Link Canal:
This link canal is 38 miles long .It is carrying the Indus water for use at the
Panjnad headworks.The link canals have a total length of 388 miles with a total
capacity of about 100,000 cusec,but the present supply of water from the canal
is insufficient for our requirements and a large amount of water is obtained from
tube wells and other means.
Agricultural Crops of Pakistan
Introduction
Agricultural activities in plain areas of Pakistan are performed in two
seasons.Those crops which are cultivated before the beginning of winter season
and harvested in early summer are known as "Rabi Crops".They include wheat
,barley ,grams,oil seeds,pulses e.t.c.But those crops which are grown in the
beginning in summer and their picking or harvesting takes place in early winter
are called "Kharif Crops".These may include Rice,Sugarcane,Millets,Maize
etc.The following are the main crops cultivated in Pakistan:

Sugar Cane (Cash Crop)

Introduction
Sugar cane is an important cash crop of Pakistan.All available evidences indicate
that Sugar Cane originated in Indo-Pak sub-continent.The description of sugar
cane is found in the Indian mythological literature of 1000 B.C.
It is a type of long grass "perennial" in nature.The first crop is called "plant
cane" and the succeeding crops are called "Ratoon Crops".Although it is a plant
of tropical regions but it can also be cultivated in sub-tropical areas.
Uses of Sugar Cane
Sugar cane is used for sweetening purposes.It is the most important and
cheapest source of refined sugar.Gur,Alcohol and Desi Shakkar are also
prepared from Sugar cane.The left out stalk fibers (bagasse) are used in the

paper industries are as fuel and cattle food.

Favourable Conditions For Its Growth
1. Temperature
Sugarcane is a crop of wet tropical lands .From eight to twenty four months
elapse between 65 degree F to 85degree F.Little or no growth takes place at a
temperature below 60 degree F.Frost is very dangerous to young cane and
sever frost during the period of ripening causes inversion of the sucrose.The
sugarcane needs a minimum of 250 frost free days.
2. Water
Heavy precipitation is beneficial during the early and intermediate stage of crop
growth,but a dry season is desirable before harvest.It grows well in areas
having rainfall of more than 40 degree annually.It is very sensitive to dought
conditions.Stagnant water is very damaging.In our country Sugarcane is
cultivated in canal irrigated areas since the rainfall is below 20" which is not
sufficient.
3.Soils
Sugarcane can be grown on a variety of soils ranging from sandy loams the
heavy clays but sill loams and clay loams are most suitable.It is grown primarily
on both alluvial and red soils.The soil should contain some elements of
lime,potash and nitrogen.
4.Land
The best land for sugarcane is flat or undulating and fertile with topsoil that
retains moisture and sub soils that permit drainage.Therefore the main
Sugarcane area in Pakistan is located in the canal colonies of the fertile Indus
valley.

Sugarcane Cultivation
In Pakistan,Sugarcane is cultivated in the spring season in the month of
February or March.It is harvested in November or December .Sugarcane is
included in both Rabi and Kharif Crops.It is a "perennial " crop.The first crop is
called "plant cane" and the succeeding crops are called "ratoon crops"
.Generally good yields from ratoon crops are obtained only in one or two years.

Sugarcane Growing Areas

In Pakistan,a sub tropical continental climate milltates against the growing of
thick canals.All the areas of our country are not suited to the growth of
Sugarcane.It is mostly cultivated in canal irrigated areas of Punjab,N.W.F.P and
Sindh provinces.
1. Punjab:
Faisalabad,Sargodha,Multan,Bahawalpur,Lahore and Gujranwala division are
famouse for Sugar cane production.
2. Sindh:
Hyderabad division ranks first and Sukkur division second in the production of
Sugar cane .
3. N.W.F.P
Mardan and Peshawar districts are at the top and some amount of Sugar cane is
also produced in the districts of Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan.
Average And Production
The following table shows areas,production and yield per hectare of sugarcane
during the last three years:
Period Area...............Production...........Yield Per Hectare
(000 Hectares)................(000 Tones)...........(Tones)
1989-90 854 ..................35494.................41.56
1990-91 884...................35889.................40.71
1991-92 877...................34210.................39.00
(provisional)
Cotton (Cash Crop)
Introduction
Cotton is considered to be the most important cash crop of
Pakistan.Pakistan,ranks fifth in world cotton production.It is outstanding among
vegetable,animal and synthetic fibers,accounting for approximately one half of
the all materials that are made into cloth.Besides the preparation of a number
of its products ,we also earn a large amount of foreign exchange from its export
to other countries .Its importance may be estimated from the fact that it
contributes 15% to the G.N.P The entire textile industry directly or indirectly
depends upon it.It provides employment to 2/3rd of industrial labour force.

Biological And Historical Reference

Cotton is also known as the "Silver Fiber" .It is a wooly fibre surrounded around
the seeds of the plant the longing to genus "Gossypium".It is known to have
been produced in the Indus plain since 3000 B.C.
Favourable Conditions For Its Growth
1. Temperature:
Humid tropical and sub-tropical savanna climates are both conductive to cotton
growth .At the time of cultivation it requires temperature ranging between 80
degree F to 100 degree F but at the time of picking 50 degree F to 60 degree F
temperature remains sufficient.Frost or severe cold is dangerous for its
growth.As produced commercially,cotton requires a growing season of atleast
180 to 200 frost-free days.
2. Water:
A minimum precipitation amount of 20" and a maximum of 40" per year is
considered to be the optimum requirement for cotton cultivation.The annual
rainfall in Pakistan is less than 20" which is insufficient ,so without artificial
irrigation,cotton cultivation is not possible.It is for this reason that canal and
tube well irrigated areas of Sindh and Punjab are devoted to cotton
cultivation.The moisture should be comparatively even throughout much of the
year but retarted during the harvesting period.
3. Soil:
Cotton grows best on soils which retain moisture at their upper levels and are
well drained at lower depths.Its favours alluvial soil but can do quite well on
tighter soils if sufficient moisture is present to prevent excessive compaction
around the plant roots.The use of natural or artificial manure is essential to
maintain the fertility of soil.
4. Land:
Sea breeze is very helpful for the production of quality cotton.For this reason
low lands near the sea (Sindh areas ) are considered to be ideal situations for
its cultivation.
Cotton Cultivation:
Cotton is a Kharif crop in Pakistan and is cultivated in the summer
season.Sowing is mainly broadcast and begins in April in Sindh and in May or
June in Punjab.In Sindh,picking starts from August.Whereas in Punjab it begins

in September or October.Cotton mostly grows in rows and the minimum

distance between row to row is kept about 11/2 feet .Similarly the minimum
distance between plant to plant remain about 6".
Cotton Growing Areas:
In Pakistan cotton is grown in canal irrigated areas of Punjab and Sindh and
also in some parts of Baluchistan and N.W.F.P.
1. Punjab:
The province of Punjab has a network of canals leading out from the mighty
river Indus and draining the are. (0 % of the crop depends Bahawalpur,Dera
Ghazi Khan,Faisalabad,Sargodha,Lahore and Gujranwala constitute the cotton
belt .In these areas the well-known variety of medium staple cotton is grown.A
small quantity of Desi quality cotton is allowed to be grown for domestic
use.Punjab produces a surplus quantity of cotton and after meeting the local
requirements the rest of it is exported.
2. Sindh:
The province of Sindh also produces a considerable amount of cotton.The canal
irrigated areas of Sindh,constituting Hyderabad and Sukkur division are the
main cotton centres.Here both the American medium staple and Desi qualities
of cotton are grown.Sindh also produces surplus quantity of cotton which is
more than the local requirements.
Average And Production
The following table shows area,production and yield per hectare of cotton during
the last three years:
Period..............Area...............Production. ...................Yield Per Hectare
...................(000 Hectares)........(000 Tonnes).....................(kg)
1989-90.............2599..................8560......... ....................561
1990-91.............2662..................9628......... ....................616
1991-92.............2896..................12500........ ....................734
(provisional)

Exports min.Rs.)
1989-90 - 9550
1990-91 - 9553
1991-92 - 5916
(July to March)

Rice (Food Crop)

Importance of Rice in Pakistan:
Rice holds an important position among the cash crops of Pakistan.It fulfills the
food requirements of our country but we also earn a lot of foreign exchange
from its export.Besides it is an important raw material for manufacturing
starch,paper ,sandals,hats,mattresses etc.grain as well as its husk is also used
as fodder for cattle.
Biological and Historical References
Rice belongs to the genus "Oxygen",two species of which are cultavated,"Oryza
Glaberrima" and "Oryza Sativa".The former is found only in tropical west African
while the latter is found all over the rice growing areas..The exact origin of rice
is not known but most of the research workers give this credit to South East
Asi.After 1468 it was introduced in Italy from where it spread to european and
many other contries of the world.
Favourable Coditions For Its growth:
1. Temperature:
Rice is a tropical plant.it requires high temperature during the growing season
of 4 to 6 months.The temperature should be more than 80 degree F and in no
way less than 70 degree F even for the quick maturing varieties.In Pakistan rice
is cutivated only one a year i.e.early summer.Its cultivation is not possible in
areas of severe cold or where the temperature goes below freezing point.
2. Water
Rice is known as a plant of water.Its cultivation requires large amount of
moisture.The annual rainfall should not be in any way leas than 40 ".The root of
the rice plant should remain submerged in water for a long time.For 75 days the
rice fields should have 6 " of slow moving water.When the rice crops mature
,less water is required and during ripening season,the field should be almost dry
so that it can be harvested easily.
The rice growing areas of Pakistan have an average annual rainfall of less than
20 " .So the deficiency of rainfall has been met by the artificial arrangements of
irrigation water through canals and tube wells etc.
3. Soil:

With the exemption of sandy soils which are very permeable ,rice can be grown
successfully on soils ranging from silt loam to clays .Alluvial soil is the most
suitable soil for the rich growth of rice.Heavy clayey sub soil with water
retaining capacity gives best results.
4. Land:
The flooding of rice fields requires level land and therefore river valleys,deltas
and coasted plains are suitable areas,otherwise terracing is required.
System of Cultivation
There are two methods of rice cultivation:
1.Broad Cast Sowing:
This involves direct plantation of rice plants in the fields.
2.Transplantation:
In this case sowing is first done in nursery beds.When the plants attain a height
of 4 " to 6 ",they are transplanted into big fields.This method is also called the
Japanese method.It is the most scientific and beneficial method.By its practice
,the per acre production increases considerably.
Rice is mostly cultivated in rows and the distance from row to row is kept about
6 " and from plant to plant remains 3 ".
Rice Growing Areas
Cultivation of rice is mainly confined to the low lying parts of the Punjab plain
and the flooded rivers and canal areas of Sindh.To a small extent it is also
grown in the submountain districts in the North and the canal irrigated
areas.Rice cultivation in N.W.F.P .Baluchistan and Azad Kashmir areas is not
more than 1 % to 2 % of their total areas.
1. Punjab:
In Punjab,the division of Lahore and Gujranwala rank at the top.Best equalities
like Basmati,Parmal,Sukhdari,Irri-six etc. are grown in this part of
Punjab.Besides somu rice is also cultivated in
Shakhupura,Sargodha,Faisalabad,Multan and Bahawalpur divisions.
2. Sindh:
In the province of Sindh,the districts of Sukkur division are most famouse for
good quality rice cultivation .Larkana district ranks at cultivated in
Khairpur,Nawabshah and Hyderabad districts.The main qualities of rice which

are common in the province of Sindh are Kangni,Beghi,Irri-8 etc.

Average And Production
The following table shows areas,production and yield per hectare of rice during
the last three years:
Period............Area...........Production....... .........Yield Per Hectare
................(000 Hec)........(000 Ton)...................(kg)
1989-90..........2107.............3220................. .....1528
1990-91..........2113.............3261................. .....1543
1991-92..........2007.............3198................. .....1593
(Provisional)
Exports:
1989-90 - Rs. 5144 million
1990-91 - Rs. 7846 million
1991-92 - Rs. 7083 million
(July-March)

WHEAT (Food Crop)

Introduction
Wheat is the most popular food crop of Pakistan.Wheat being the staple diet of
most of the people of Pakistan it dominates all crops in acreage and production
.We use wheat and its products in a number of ways.It accounts for over 70 %
of the gross cereals and over 36 % of the country's acreage is devoted to wheat
cultivation.
Wheat is being cultivated in our country from ancient times.According to some
experts wheat was first cultivated in the Indus Valley.Pakistan is the 4th largest
producer of wheat in Asia and stands 11th in world production.
Favourable Conditions For Its Growth
1. Temperature:
Wheat is essentially a temperate crop requiring moderate heat and moisture.In
Pakistan it is a rain (winter) crop.It is cultivated in the month of October and
November.The temperature then is between 50 degree and 60 degree F which
is most suitable for wheat growth while it is harvested at the end of April or
early in May when the temperature is between 80 degree F and 100 degree
F.This high temperature helps in the ripening of the crop.

2. Water:
For wheat cultivation,rain must come during the period of growth and sunny
conditions should prevail at the time of ripening.Minimum rainfall required
during the growing season is 20 ".Rainfall is no way should exceed 40 ".In
Pakistan the average annual rainfall is less than 20 " which is insufficient.Thus
wheat is mostly grown by means of irrigation.Due to lack of irrigational facilities
Baluchistan and Potwar plateau depend exclusively on rainfall.However the yield
per acre of the rain fed fields is about half that of irrigated fields.

3. Soil:
Wheat is known to grow on a varioty of soils but it does best in the well-drained
clayey loams having plenty of humus.Hence the dark coloured chernozems of
the temperate grasslands like that of Pakistan are the most suitable soils.
Kinds of Wheat:
There are two main types of wheat:
1.Vulgare or Sharbati:
It is widely cultivated and is prized for common bread.
2.Durum:
It has local importance and is mostly used for making of Suji (Semolina) and
Sewian (Vermicelli).
Wheat Producing Centres of Pakistan:
Wheat is cultivated in all the four provinces of Pakistan.Punjab and Sindh
provinces however rank at the top.The plain areas of Punjab and Sindh
provinces have alluvial soil brought by River Indus and its tributaries.These
rivers further increase the fertility of the soil by adding a number of organic and
in-organic matters brought by them from various areas of our country .The
plain areas of Punjab and Sindh provinces have insufficient rainfall.This
deficiency has been made up by providing canals and other irrigational
facilities.The temperate climate aids wheat production in Sindh and Punjab.
1. Punjab:
The province of Punjab ranks at the top in the production of wheat.The upper
indus plain accounts for 70 % of the total wheat of our country.Canal fed fields
produce 2/3 and the rest comes from the rain fed fields.The main wheat

growing divisions are :

Sargodha,Faisalabad,Multan,Dera Ghazi
Khan,Bahawalpur,Lahore,Sahiwal,Shaikhupura and Sialkot.
2. Sindh:
The province of Sindh ranks second in wheat production.Kabul,Kurram and
Gomal rivers have a substantial share in wheat acreage.Most of the lands
devoted to wheat cultivation in the lower Indus Plains are located in the
irrigated districts of Nawabshah,Hyderabad,Sukkur,Tharparkar and Khairpur.
3. N.W.F.P:
The North west Frontier province does not contribute much towards wheat
production.In the canal irrigated areas of N.W.F.P Mardan,Peshawar and Bannu
are famouse for wheat cultivation.
Baluchistan:
Some wheat is also grown in the plateau areas and the valleys of the hilly
regions of Baluchistan.On the Potwar Plateau there are large areas under wheat
which depend entirely on rainfall.
Average And Production
The following table shows area,production and yield per hectare of wheat during
the last three years:
Period.....................Area..................P roduction...................Yield per
Hectare
.........................(000 Hec).................(000 Ton).........................(kg)
1989-90.....................7845.....................14 316............................1825
1990-91.....................7911.....................14 565............................1841
1991-92.....................7795.....................14 657............................1880
(provisional)
Imports:
Period...................Quantity................. ..Unit Value
............................(000 ml?)...................Rs/ml?)
1989-90......................2047...................... ..4197
1990-91......................972....................... ..3208
1991-92......................1000...................... ..4057
Forest Resources and Their Exploitation

Introduction
At the time of the establishment of Pakistan about 50 lakh acres area was
covered with natural or artificial forests.It was about 2.6 % of the total
area,which was insufficient for the country's needs,because according to experts
the area under the forests in a country should not be less than 20 to 25 % for a
well balanced economy.In Pakistan only 4.5 % of the total area is under
forests.
The Government has taken various steps to increase the areas under
forests.Large areas have been reserved for afforrestation in Thal,Ghulam
Mohammad Barrage and Gudu Barrage and it is likely to improve the future
acreage of forrests to some extent.Besides this the forests department
celebrates weeks for tree plantation in the months of spring and rainy
seasons.During these works people are encouraged to plant more and more
trees.
Kinds of Forests in Pakistan
1.Evergreen Coniferous Forests:
Areas:
These forests are found in the Northern and Western hills such as
Chitral,Swat,Dir,Abbotabad,Malakand,Kohistan,Manse hra district of N.W.F.P
and Rawalpindi district of Punjab are the main areas covered with coniferous
forests.
Characteristics:
These forests remain evergreen throughout the year i.e.they do not shed their
leaves at a time .The leaves of the trees are mostly of conical shape .In these
areas these forests are found upto about 3000 ft.In Baluchistan,these forests
are found at the height of 5000 ft.
Important Trees:
Deodar,Kall,Spruce,Chir,Fir are important trees of these forests.In
Baluchistan,two more important ,pencil juniper and chilgoza are also found.
Economic Importance:
The trees grown in these forests are of immense help to many
industries.Deodar is the main source of limer and is used for building houses
and railway sleepers.Fir is used to the making of hardboard.Chir is used in the
match,rayon, and resin industry.

2.Baluchistan Hill Forests:

Areas:
These forests are found in area of Quetta and Kalat divisions.
Characteristics:
Due to poor rainfall,these forests are not dense .They are found in altitudes of
5000 to 10000 feet.
Important Trees:
The main trees of these areas include chilgoza,pines,pencil,junipers and
chestnuts.

3.deciduous Forests:
Areas:
These forests are found in the districts of
Gujrat,Jhelum,Rawalpindi,Hazara,Mardan,Peshawar,Ko hat and in some patches
of the Baluchistan plateau.
Characteristics:
These forests cover land rising upto an altitude of 3000 feet.The trees of these
forests shed their leaves at a time when the amount of rainfall and temperature
is insufficient in a particular season
Important Trees:

The dominant trees of these forests are

Phulai,Kao,Chestnut,Juniper,Walnut,Oak,Maple and Poplar.Olea and Chir occur
occasionally at high elevations.

Economic Importance:

These forests are an important source of timber for the manufacture of furniture

,rifle butts,sports goods etc.

4.Riverian Or Bela Forests:

Areas:

Narrow belts along the banks of River Indus and its large tributaries are
occupied by the riverion forests commonly known as Bela Forests.

Characteristics:

These forests are found near the banks of rivers where underground water is
available in the flooded areas.They cover the active flood plains which are
inundated almost annually.They are usually not very dense.

Important Trees:

Babul,Shisham and Willow are the main varieties found in these forests.

Economic Importance:

The Shisham wood is mostly used for making high quality furniture.The wood of
Babul provides firewood and is used for making agricultural implements.The
Bark of Babul is used for tanning purposes.

5.Artificial Forests:

Areas:

In some areas of Punjab and Sindh,a few irrigated plantation units have been
established .Changa Manga forest situated about 40 miles from Lahore is the
largest of the irrigation forest plantation.Besides this Chichawatni in
Sahiwal,Multan,Thal and in some parts of Ghulam Mohammad and Guddu
barrages,artificial forests are being maitained.

Important Trees:

In these forests,harwood species such as Shisham,Mulberry and Acasia trees

are grown for commercial purposes.

6.Tidal Or Mangrove Forests:

Areas:

These forests are mostly found in the Indus delta.Hub delta is also covered with
these forests which extend to Runn of Kuch covering an area of about 750,000
acres.

Characteristics:

The trees of these forests grow in awampy areas.Lack of fresh water results in
shunned growt of trees and in the occurance of limited number of species .The

normal height of trees is 10 feet while in better watered areas the trees rise to
20-25 feet.

Important Trees:

Some valuable species are being experimented upon in these areas.Avicennta

Officanilis,Ceriopa and Rhizo phoras are some of them.

Economic Importance:

A vital advantage of these forests in that they supply a large amount of

firewood.The trees have mostly soft wood which is also used as fodder for
animals.

7.The Rakhs:

Areas:

These forests are found in the Indus valley scaltered far away from human
settlements.

Characteristics:

These are mostly shrub forests and the trees are not very tall.

Important Trees:

The main species which are generally found in these forests are
Jand,Neem,Karil,Farash and Bakain.

Economic Importance:

The wood of those trees is mostly used for fuel purposes or in the making of
cheap furniture.

Importance and Uses of Forests

According to an agricultural export "A country can live without gold and
silver,but not without forests,"The following is the importance of forests for us:

1.As there is a shortage pf power resources,the coal and oil found in our country
is insufficient to meet our requirements.So a large population of our country
living in rural areas uses wood as fuel and for other domestic purposes.

2.Besides timber ,wood is being used as fuel.The wood for making furniture and
building material is also obtained from forests.

3.Forests supply the raw material and wood for various industries of our
country,such as matches,paper,sports goods,resins,rayon,etc.

4.Forests keep the climate of the adjacent areas pleasant by getting the
moisture through its roots from interior of the earth and spreading it through
their branches and leaves.

5.The forests areas of our country serve as pasture,but for the cattle of farmers
living near them,camels,sheep and goats get their food from them.

6.In mountainous areas forests help to preserve our agricultural land from the
dangers of erosion.In plain areas forest or trees save the banks of canals and
rivers from erosion.

7.The most important thing is that the forests provide oxygen gas for us and
consume filthy carbon dioxide.

8.A large number of fruits that we use are provided from trees,or forests.

9.In forests a large number of animals take refuge,so forests provide hunting
facilities for hunters and they get meat and skins from them.

10.Forests help the farmers in saving their crops from strong dual storms.

Minerals
Introduction
It has been rightly said that world commerce of today would be impossible
without minerals.Mining,being a basic industry provides a firm base from the
growth in various sectors of the economy.Minerals are the backbone of modern
industry.The heavy machines and transporting vehicles are all built and run by
minerals.
Pakistan is rich in minerals resources,but these immense potentials remained
unexploited over the years.Now the Government is adopting new policy
measures to give a boost to this sector.In order to encourage mineral
exploration in the country,a mineral co-ordination board (MCB) was established
in 1979 to co-ordinate public sector agencies and the private sector.
Pakistan has considerable deposits of non metallic mineals,including rocksalt,gypsum,china clay,limestone and marble.Metallic minerals found in some
quantity are chromite antimony,copper and iron etc.

1. Iron Ore
Usage:
Iron tops the list of capital goods and plays a vital role in the economic
development of a country.The entire economic activities of a country revolve
around this basic material.Today,iron touches man's life from the cradle to
grave.Indeed man today is almost entirely dependant on iron for his civilized
existence.
Occurrence:
Iron ore deposits occur at many localities .The more important are discussed
below:
KalaBagh Iron Ore:
Occurs near Kalabagh in the Surghar Range and near Sakesar in the Salt
Range.They are the largest deposits in Pakistan but the ore is of low grade
(30.35 percent iron) and of irregular composition.Reseves are estimated at
about 300 million tonnes.
Dommel Misar:
Magnitite deposits in Southern Chitral,about 30 kilometers south of Drosh ,have
an iron content of 55.65 percent.Reserves are estimated at 3 million tonnes.
Langrial,Galdanian And Abbotabad Ore:
Langrial iron deposits are in the vicinity of Langrial village in haripur tehsil,about
30 kilometers south of Abbotabad.The iron content varies widely between 0 and
50 percent .The Galdanian deposits,about 15 kilometers north-east of abotabad
have an average iron content of 20 percent.Iron content yardes from 14.46
percent.Total reserves in Hazara Distric are estimated to be mere than 100
million tonnes.
Chighazi Magnitite Deposits:
Of various magnitudes have been discovered in Chigai District,near Dalbandin
.Reserves of high grade ore (56 percent iron or more ) are estimated over 3
million tonnes and of low ore (25.38 percent iron) at 20 million tonnes.
2. Chromite
Usage:
Chromium is used in the making of stainless steel ,high speed tools and

precision instruments,dyes and in photography.

Occurrence:
Pakistan leads the world in chromite production.Large deposits of chromite
occur in the Muslimbagh area of the Zaob valley.Those are the best known of
the chromite deposits in Pakistan and have been extensively exploited
.Khanozai and Jang Torgarh are important mines .Other deposits are in Chagai
and Kharan,where the total deposits amount to 10.000 tonnes.
In addition to the above Peshawar division deposits amount to 14,000 tonnes.

3. Copper
Usage:
Copper ranks next to iron in importance because of its many industrial uses.It
was used for making coins and domestic utensils in the past.Now a days it is
used in the manufacture of electric goods,telephone wires,refrigerators etc.
Occurrence:
The deposits of copper have been found at Sandak and Amuri in Chaghai
districts of Baluchistan.Sandak deposits are estimated to be 412 million
tonnes.At present copper is not being extracted commercially in our country but
it is hoped that in near future we shall be able to produce copper in sufficient
quantity with foreign collaboration.

4. Rock Salt and Brine

All the rock salt deposits in Pakistan occur in the salt range.The most important
mines are:
(a) Khewra Mines:
Khewra is the most extensively worked area with seams attaining thickness of
as much as 18 metres.Present production is 220,000 tonnes a year.
(b) Karcha Mines:
The mine has five seams,with a maximum thickness of 15 metres and produces
40.000-45,000 tonnes a year.
(c) Kalabagh Mines:
The seams are irregular and contorted and production is about 12,000-16,000

tonnes a year.
(d) Jatta,Bahadurkhel and Karak Salt Deposits:
Production from this area almost equals that of the Warcha mines.The
reserves,however,are thought to be very large.
Salt is also obtained from brine and salt.Lakes,but the amount obtained from
these sources is relatively small compared with that of rock salt.Salt is
harvested in the Tharparkar area of Sindh and obtained by evaprating seawater at Mauripur,near Karachi,and along the Makran and Lasbela coasts large
deposits of concentrated brine have been discovered at Dharyala near
Khewra.Various chemicals and fertilizers may be manufactured from this brine.
5. Gypsum
Usage:
Gypsum is also an important mineral of our country .It is used for the
manufacturing of cement,plaster of paris, fertilizers and in various other
industries.It is also used to regain the fertility of soil in water-logged and
salinity areas.
Occurrence:
Gypsum is in our country is found in a large quantity.Mianwali,Jhelum,Dera
Ghazi Khan in Punjab,Quetta and Sibi in Baluchistan,Kohat in N.W.F.P are the
main producers,but some quantity of Gypsum is also found in Bahawalpur
(punjab) ,Dadu and Sanghar districts (in Sindh) ,Dera Ismail Khan in (N.W.F.P)
The total reserves of Gypsum found in our country are estimated at about 350
million tonnes.

6. Limestone
Usage:
Limestone is the chief raw material of lime ,cement,bleaching
powder,glass,soap,paper,paints,steel etc.
Occurrence:
Limestone deposits constilute a large part of the sedimentary rocks of
Pakistan.Although limestone is wide spread,some areas have more concentrated
deposits.These includes:
1.In N.W.F.P: Kohat,Nowshera,Pezu and Mughal Kot.

2.In Baluchistan: Loralal and Harnal.

3.In Punjab: Salt Range,Zinda pir,Margalla Hills.
4.In Sindh: Mango Pir,Marli Hills,Cape Monze,Rani Pir.
Total annual production is about 3.5 million tonnes.

7. Marble
Usage:
It is mainly used as a building and decorative stone.
Occurrence:
Pakistan exports marble manufactured items to a large number of countries
around the world.In various parts of our country good quality marble in a wide
range of colours is found.
(a)Peshawar Division Deposits:
Good quality marble of white and various other colours in found at two places:
a) Shahidmena area and
b) Kumbela Knwar area.
(b) Mardan District Deposits:
Best known deposits of marble,usually white and of uniform texture is found at
two places :
a) Gundari Tarko and
b) Maneri.
(c) Nowshera Area Deposits:
Pink coloured marble of low quality is found.Total reseves amount to 3.8 million
cubic ft.
(d) Quetta Area deposits:
Large deposits of green,yellow and white marble are found total reserves
amount to 1,80,000 tonnes.
Power Resources
Introduction

Energy is the essential need of the present age.Pakistan is selfsuffitient to the

extent of about 67% of its energy supply.The rest is being met through
imports,mainly of crude petroleum and deficit petroleum products.The following
are the main power resources of our country:

1.Coal

2.Petroleum of Mineral Oil

3.Natural Gas

4.Hydro-Electric Power

About 42 % of energy in Pakistan is obtained from oil,35% from Natural

gas,12% from hydle power and 4% from coal.

(A) COAL

Usage:

Coal is described as the mother of modern Industry.It is at the back of the rapid
Industrial development of the great industrial powers which might not have
been possible without its presence.

Coal is unique among natural products in the number of uses to which it can be
put.The main function of coal is to run the factories ,the locomotives and the
steam ships.Supplying heat for domestic purposes is of secondary
importance.Apart from these,coal tar,dyes,perfumes,colour films,sewing thread
and typewriter ribbons are some of the 200,000 by products derived from coal.

Occurrence

Coal Mines of the Punjab:

1.Salt Range Mines:

The coal found in these areas is of low quality.The main centres of coal in this
area are Dandot and Pidh.Besides,some coal is also mined at Ara
Katha,Chilaj,Pir Jahania etc.Reserves are estimated at 70 million tonnes.

2.Makarwal Coal Mines:

These are second important coal mines of Baluchistan .The coal found here is of
poor quality and reserves are small .

3.Degari Coal Mines:

The coal found here is of low quality,having more ash and sulphur
content.Reserves are estimated at 54 million tonnes.

Besides the above mentioned coal mines .Some coal has also been discovered
in other areas of Baluchistan such as Pir Ismail,Ziarat,Sinjidi and Kach,but
extraction of coal has not been started from those places.

Coal Mines Of Sindh:

1.Lakhara Coal Mines:

The coal found here is of inferior quality lignite and has a high moisture

content.Reserves are about 22 million tonnes.

2.Meting Jhimpir Coal Mines:

The seams of coal are thin and are of poor quality.Reserves are about 28 million
tonnes.

Besides coal has been discovered in other areas of Pakistan such as Cherat
hills.Nowshera in N.W.F.P and at Kotli,Kuiratta,Dandili and Muzaffarabad in Azad
Kashmir ,but due to inferior quality and small quantity,mining is uneconomical.

Total Reserves:

Coal has been the traditional source of energy and its resources are estimated
to the tune of 17.77 billion tonnes.

(B) MINERAL OIL OR PETROLEUM

Usage:

The use of petroleum as a power resource is indispensable.Today,it illuminates

the houses and runs ships,locomotives and factories.It is of great significance
for automobiles and aeroplanes.As a source of lubricant petroleum has no rival.

It provides a number of by-products e.g.gasoline,petrol,diesel oil,kerosene

oil,furnace oil,road oil,wax,naphtha,benzine etc.It remaining dust is used in the
cement industries.It is also an important raw material for many chemical textile
and pharmaceutical industries.

Occurrence:

Punjab

1.Dhurnal oil Field (Dist.Chakwal,Punjab)

2.Meyal Oil Field (Dist.Attock,Punjab)

3.Toot Oil Field(Dist.Attock ,Punjab)

4.Chak Naurange Oil Field (Dist.Chakwal,Punjab)

5.Joya Mir Oil Field(Dist.Attock,Punjab)

6.Dhulian Oil Field(Dist.Attock,Punjab)

7.Khur Oil Field(Dist.Attock,Punjab)

8.Balkasar Oil Field (Dist.Chacwal,Punjab)

9.Karsal Oil Field(Dist.Chakwal,Punjab)

10.Adhi Oil Field(Dist.Rawalpindi,Punjab)

11.Bhangli Oil Field(Dist.Rawalpindi,Punjab)

Sindh

1.Laghari Oil Field(Dist.Badin,Sindh)

2.Tando Alam (Dist.Hyderabad,Sindh)

3.Thora Oil Field(Dist.Badin,Sindh)

4.Dhsbi Oil Field(Dist.Badin,Sindh)

5.Khashkheli Oil Field(Dist.Badin,Sindh)

6.Mazari Oil Field(Dist.Badin,Punjab)

7.South MAzari (DIst.Badin,Sindh)

8.Sono Ghotana Central Lashari

Besides the above in Sindh province at Gularchi Bobi Pasakhi,Tajedi

Nari,Turk,Hali Pota,Ghunghro,Panero,Kunner,Oil has also been discovered and
experimental processes and under progress.

Oil Refining:

At present,Three refineries are operating in the country.Of these ,Pakistan

Refinery Limited (PRL) and National Refinery Limited (NRL) are located at
Karachi and Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) at Rawalpindi.PRL and NRL have
refining capacity of 1.8 million tonnes per year.In addition to imported crude

oil,NRL is also processing indigenous crude from new find at Legari-Khashkheli.

Total Reserves And Production:

The recoverable reserves of crude oil were estimated at 145.69 million barrels
on March 31,1992.

The production of oil increased from 53,481 barrels per day in 1989-90 to
64,348 barrels per day in 1990-91.However,during the period July-March ,1992
the production declined on an average to 62,500 barrels per day.

(C) NATURAL GAS

Usage:

Natural Gas is an important means of energy,especially for countries like

Pakistan which are deficient in the production of mineral oil and coal.

Occurrence:

The country is well endowed with natural gas.Following are some of the
important gas fields:

(a) Natural Gas Deposits At Sui:

It is the biggest deposit of natural gas in our country.It is situated in Sibbi

district of Baluchistan.This gas field is considered as one of the biggest gas

fields of the world and gas is being supplied to different parts of our country
from this field through pipe lines.

(b) Dhullian Gas Field:

Mineral oil has been discovered at this place in 1937,so Attock Oil Company
,while searching for more oil,found natural gas at this field in 1994.

(c) Meyal Gas Field(Dist.Attock ,Punjab):

Pakistan Oil Field Ltd.Company discovered both oil and gas at this place in
1968.Gas is being supplied through a pipe line for the industrial areas around
Rawalpindi.

(d) Mari-Sari -Hundi:

Mari-Sari-Hundi are also the gas fields from which gas is being supplied for
various other purposes and also to three fertilizer factories.

(e) Toot Gas Field (Dist.Attock,Punjab):

Natural gas has also been found at toot and it is being used since 1980.

Recently gas has been discovered at Dhabi South Sonoro,Bukhari,Matil and Jabo
in Sindh and at Makhdompur in Punjab.

Total Reserved And Production:

The recoverable reserves of natural gas are estimated at 542.505 billion cubic

meres.During the first nine months of 1991-92 the production was 11543.19
million cubic mores as against 10932.92 million cubic meres during the same
period in the previous year showing an increase 5.58% .The country produces
about 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

(D) HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER

The hydro-electric potential of Pakistan,substantial part of which has now been

harnessed, is mostly located in the hilly north-western areas,where the different
lated terrain provides natural sites for dams.Some sites in the plains have also
been developed by utilizing fall in rivers and canals.While the use of the three
eastern rivers has,as a result of the Indus Water Treaty,passed to India,the
hydro-electric potential of the three western rivers,the Indus,the Jhelum and
the Chenab has been estimated at 30 million Kw.Following are the main hydro
projects of our country:

1.The Tarbela Power Station:

When it comes into full operation it will have the largest capacity and
generation.The installed capacity of our units presently in operation 700
MW,and generation 4,129 MKWHS.

2.The Mangla Power Station:

This power station will ultimetly have an installed capacity of 1,000 million watts
in ten sets of 100,000 KW each.The first three generating sets,each of 100,000
KW,were installed as part of the Indus Basin Plan and the other four have been
added later by WAPDA.

3.The Warsak Power Station:

It has six units with a total capacity of 240 MW.The turbines are fed by a

concrete lined tunnel from the 46 metre high dam.This station was one of the
major sources of hydro-electric power before the completion of Mangla and
Tarbela.

4.The Malakand And Dargai Power Stations:

They produced electricity from falls in the upper Swat Canal.Water is taken back
into the canal from the Malakand station to feed the power house at
Dargai.Malakand station was completed in 1938 ,with an installed capacity of
16,700 KW, and this was to 80,000 KW in 1952.Dargai also has an installed
capacity of 80,000 KW.

5.The Rasul Project:

This project was started in 1946,with the limited purpose of feeding 1860 tube wells in Gujrat and Sargodha.The scheme was later modified to meet the
requirements of the Punjab,before the completion of Warsak power station.The
water in the 3-km power channel is taken from the Upper Jhelum Canal,and
after passing through the turbine,joines the Lower Jhelum Canal.

6.The Chichoki Mallian Power Station:

This station is located on the upper Chenab Canal about 48 km from Lahore,and
in the event of a power failure on the main grid,can be isolated to supply the
city.

7.The Shadiwal Power Station:

is located on the upper Jhelum Canal near Gujrat.

8.The Nandipur Power Station:

It is located on the upper chenab canal,about 7 miles north-west of Gujrat.

9.The Kurram and Garhi Station:

These stations are on the irrigation canal taken out from the kurram River
.About 40,000 KW of electricity is being produced from this project which is
providing the needs of Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan divisions.

Energy Generation

million Kwh)

1989-90 - 16925

1990-91 - 18298

1991-92 - 13724

(July to March)

Future Hydro Plans of WAPDA:

Detailed engineering of the Kalabagh Dam Project is in progress. The Kalabagh
Hydle Power Station will be built about 12 miles upward from Kalabagh city on
River Indus;It will have a capacity of about 1800 MW.Stage-I of 880 MW is
planned to be completed in 1993 and stage-II in 1996.A reservoir at Thal has
been planned to firm Tarbela Power by about 200 MW in the low-water
months.Besides,hydro potential estimated at 60 MW available on the Chashmajhelum link Canal is also planned for exploitation.
Industries
INTRODUCTION

The Industrial base of Pakistan Pakistn at the time of Independence was very
weak. Not more than 35 important industries fell to Pakistan's share.To restrict
dependance on Indian industrial centres,it became essential to set up basic
industries.To overcome this handicap the government encouraged the
establishment of new industries based on local raw material which was
sufficiently available.
In 1949-50 manufactured items accounted for only 1.5% of the national
income.After 10 years the ratio improved to 5 %.In 70-71 the ratio increased
upto 16.31% .In 78-79 the ratio declined to 14.35%. Today the large soule
industries have 19.9% share in our GNP.Pakistan has attained a fairly
diversified base in manufacturing ranging from essential consumer goods to
heavy engineering,chemicals and tools industry.Inspite of this enormous
progress,we cannot still claim to be an industrially developed country.Our
economy still depends upon the agricultural sector and import of various
industrial products from other countries.

LOCALIZATION FACTORS
There are some important geographical and economic factors which exercise a
great influence on the Localization of any industry.The factors are called the
localization factors and are as follows:
1.Raw Materials:
No Industry can be established without availability of raw materials.They should
be easily accessible otherwise the expenses incurred on their acquisition
become immense .The modern means of transportation have made possible to
tap distant sources of raw material.
2.Power Resources:
An industry can not run without the supply of energy and power.Modern
complex industries consume large amount of power.Fuel must be easily
available at the selected site.Water power,thermal power ,natural gas,mineral
oil and small quantity of coal (due to low production) is used as power in
Pakistani industries.
3.Proximity to The Market:
The ultimate purpose of all production is consumption.The consuming market
should not be remote from the industries,otherwise the delivery of the
manufactured items will add immensely to the cost.However modern means of
transportation have opened the world market and decreased dependance on the

local market.
4.Labour:
Labour of its three types:
1)Skilled
2)Unskilled and
3)Management and labour staff.
Abundant and cheap supply of all kinds of labour should be available at the site
of the industry.Unfortunately we are not self sufficient in the supply of skilled
labour which is a great handicap for our local industries.We have to import
skilled labour which adds to our cost.
5.Suitable Climate:
Climate determines the working power and efficiency of labourers and also the
economy of the products.Different kinds of industries require different kinds of
climate. Generally speaking, temperate climate is most suitable as it stimulates
people to work harder.
6.Easy Availability of Capital:
It is an accepted fact that modern industrialization is impossible without the
large supply of capital.Easy and large supply of capital is an important factor for
the localization of any industry.I.D.B.P,N.D.F.C ,PIDC,PICIC AND ICP are
institutions in our country which are playing an indispensable role in the
industrial development of our country by providing financial help to our
industries.
7.Government Encouragement:
Encouragement and incentive from the side of the government is an important
localisation factor for any industry.
8.Means of Transportation:
In these days of specialized and diverse trading operations,availability of means
of transport (may it be by air,sea or land)is indispensable.These means should
be easily and quickly available and should also be cheap to minimize cost of
production.
9.Political Conditions:
Areas at a safe distance from politically explosive regions and enemy territories
are preferred for industrial location.

(A) COTTON TEXTILE INDUSTRY

Importance:
Cotton textile industry is the biggest industry of Pakistan.Pakistan forms the
base of world Cotton textile industry.It is a broad industry and involves spinning
i.e.yarn production and weaving i.e.cotton production.
The making of textiles employs over 200,000 persons in Pakistan which is more
than 1/3rd of all those employed in large scale industries.It also makes the
largest contribution to the GNP.Apart from its basic contribution of fulfilling the
need at home,we earn a large amount of foreign exchange from the export of
cotton yarn and cloth.
Review of Progress:
The country had 18 cotton mills in 1948 with 1.77 lac spindles and 4,824
looms.The total production of yarn was 3 crore pounds and that of cloth
amounted to 9 crore yds.Their production was altogether inadequate for the
country's requirements and a large quantity of cloth and yarn had to be
imported. Resources were available for its development.The government gave
priority this industry made the greatest progress.In 1964-65 the number of
factories was more than 120.As regards to production of yarn,It increased to
14.5 yds.in 1967-68.
After 1974,this industry faced a severe recession due to both to domestic and
international factors.Pakistan had suffered particularly,because this industry is
export oriented.Both production and exports of its products had drastically
fallen during these years.The major causes of the crises of the cotton textile
industry had been :
1) Tall in demand for the products of this industry in the international market in
the face of glut in production in several countries.
2) Domestically there were several unfavourable developments;such as rise in
price of cotton due to fall in cotton production,and increase in wages of labour
along with the reported fall in its productivity.Today we have 200 cotton textile
mills in recognized sector.
Cotton Textile Centres:
Karachi,The Biggest Textile Centre:
After the establishment of Pakistan,the first mill named as Valika Cotton Textile
Mill was established at Karachi in 1948.Although ,Karachi is not located in
cotton growing area.Yet it soon became and is still,the biggest centre of cotton

textile industry in Pakistan.Many factors were responsible.It had the advantage

of availability of capital ,banking facilities,bussiness ability of families which
migrated to Karachi,fine labour,railway and road links with cotton growing
areas,humid climate,easy availability of sui gas etc.
In addition to Karachi ,now in every big city of all the four provinces,cotton
textile mills have been set up.These are as follows:
1.Sindh:
Karachi,Hyderabad,Tando Adam,Tando Jam,Khairpur,Larkana,Tando
Mohammed Khan,Kotri etc.
2.Punjab:
Faisalabad,Lahore,Multan,Rawalpindi,Sheikhupura,Jh
elum,D.G.K,Sargodha,Okara,Rahimyar Khan,Harappa.
3.Baluchistan:
Quetta,Lasbela,Anthar.
4.N.W.F.P:
Peshawar,Nowshehra,D.I.K,Kohat,Bannu,Haripur,Hazar a,Charsadda.
Installed Capacity
Installed Capacity of Textile Industry ( in thousands)
Year................Spindles Installed......Spindles Working.....Looms
Installed.....Looms Working
1989-90.................5195....................4416... ................16...................8
1990-91.................5569....................4827... ................15...................8
1991-92.................6141....................6465... ................15...................8
(July-March)
Production:
(a) Production of Cotton Yarn(thousand Kg.):
Year- Production
1989-90 - 911,588
1990-91 - 1,041,248
1991-92 - 861,819
(b) Production of Cotton Cloth (thousand Sq.Metre):

Year- Production
1989-90 - 294,839
1990-91 - 292,911
1991-92 - 233,997
(July-March)
Position of Trade:
The country is now self-sufficient in varieties of cotton cloth and cotton yarn.We
are now excited from the list of importers in this connection.The major export
markets of Pakistani cotton fabrics are EEC,U.S.A,U.S.S.R,Australia,Iran,Canada
and Saudi Arabia.
Exports(July-March):
.....................Quantity(MT) ..............................Value (Million $)
.....................1990-91...1991-92 .....................1990-91.....1991-92
Cotton Yarn....346615.....332100......................810 .73......786.53
Cotton Fabrics...782.......860........................486 .92......587.65

(B) IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRY

Introduction:
In the first phase of Industralization in Pakistan,the emphasis was on the
development of consumer goods industry.It was soon felt that the
establishment of basic industries like Iron and Steel were essential for the
economic development of the country.A vigorous search for iron ore and other
minerals was started.
At present ,Pakistan heavy engineering industry comprises of the following
units:
1.Heavy Mechanical Complex-Taxila:
HMC Taxila is one of the most important industries of the 3rd five year plan of
Pakistan in the overall scheme of establishing basic and key industries in the
country.
It was completed in 1970 with the technical and economic assistance of the
people's Republic of China involving a total cost of Rs.240 million.Its annual
production capacity is 17,000 tonnes of various types of complete machines and
plants which include sugar and cement plants,chemical and petro chemical
plants,road bulldozers,railway wagons,axles of wagons,overhead traveling

cranes and boilers.At present 12 cement plants and 19 sugar plants produced
by the complex have been installed.A cement plan has been exported to
Bangladesh and 3 sugar plants to Indonesia and Bangladesh.Export orders
which are under process have also been received from
Bangladesh,Syria,Iran,Kenya and Azerbaijan.
2.heavy Foundry and Forge Project-Taxila:
This project was set up with the technical and financial assistance of the
people's Republic of China in 1972 and is one of the biggest project of this kind
in Pakistan. It is planned to provide a metallurgical base to the heavy
engineering sector.The project,when in full production,will be able to fully meet
the requirements of heavy castings and forgings of the engineering units of
Pakistan.
3.Pakistan Machine tool Factory-Landhi:
This factory was established in collaboration with a.swiss firm at Landhi in
Karachi.It is a highly sophisticated engineering facility which is producing
transmission components and automobile parts since 1968.Its major products
are gear boxes,audaxles for trucks,jeeps,tractors etc.
4.Pakistan Steel Mill (Karachi):
The foundation stone of Karachi Steel Mill was laid down on December.30,
1973.It was completed at a cost of Rs.2,55,500 million with the economic and
technical assitance of U.S.S.R.
This biggest industrial enterprise in the country is the precursor of countless
economic benefits.The completion of the steel mill is a shining milestone which
leads the way to a new era of progress in the nation's economy.
Employment:
The employment level at Pakistan Steel was 23,842 as on March 31,1992
compared with 23,965 on December 31,1991.
Installed Capacity:
Pakistan Steel is a huge engineering complex and is producing coke,pig
iron,billets,hot rolled sheets/plates,cold rolled sheets/plates,galvanised sheets
etc.It has a production capacity equivalent to 1.1 million tonnes of raw steel per
anum with a built in potential to expand to over 3 million tonnes.
The average capacity utilization in terms of raw steel was 76% during 1991-92.
Production Performance(000 tonnes):

Items............................1990-91......................1991-92(July-March)
Coke..................................712......... .......................660
Pig Iron..............................1013............ ...................766
Rolled Billets.........................252............... ................176
Cast Billets............................81............. ...................48
Hot Rolled Coils........................386.................. .............296
Cold Rolled Coils.......................111................... .............99
Galvanized Coils.........................42.................. ..............35
Formed Sections..........................1............... ..................--Sales Turnover:
The sales turnover of Pakistan steel increased from Rs.6500 million during JulyMarch 1990-91 to Rs.6669 million during July-March 1991-92 as compared with
Rs.32 million in July-March,1990-91.

(C) CEMENT INDUSTRY

Introduction:
Cement is one of the vital resources needed by a developing country .The
cement industry is one of the heavy industries of Pakistan.This industry has
recorded satisfactory progress in the past because specific raw material of this
industry i.e.gypsum,limestone and a particular soil is quite abundant in
Pakistan.That is why Pakistan can not only become self-sufficient in cement
productio,but can also become an exporter of cement.However,in view of the
large amount of capital required in this industry,Pakistan has so far been
producing cement to meet the domestic requirements only.The groeth of this
industry is well reflected in the establishment of a number of new cement
projects in the country.
Review of growth:
Position at the time of Establishment:
The cement industry is the only industry which was luherited by Pakistan
because at the time of independence there were 4 cement factories in the
country:
1.Dalmian Cement Factory-Karachi. 160,000 tonnes
2.Dalmian Cement Factory-Dandot. 500,000 tonnes
3.Associated Ltd.Cement Factory-Wah. 90,000 tonnes
4.Associated Ltd. Cement Factory-Rohri. 180,000 tonnes

Total production capacity of all the 4 factories = 4,80,000 tonnes.

First Phase of Development:
The investment in the cement industry of Pakistan was initiated by the PIDC
with the setting up of 2 cement plants of which 1 was set up at Daud Khel.Its
name was Maple Leaf cement plant,with the annual production capacity of
300,00 tonnes.The 2nd,Zeal Pak cement plant was set up at Hyderabad in 1965
which was later expanded in 3 stages and now has an installed capacity of
108,000 tonnes.
The Second Phase of Development:
The second phase of development of cement industries started during the
sixties with the setting up of 3 cement factories in the private sector.
The demand for cement had been steadily increasing which induced the private
investors to further invest in this industry .Consequently,the annual production
capacity of cement which was 10,00,000 tonnes in 1959-60 increased to 2.7
million tonnes in 1969-70 ,registering an increase of 165% during a period of
10 years.
Impact of Nationalization in 1972:
In 1972,the units of cement industries were also nationalized along with other
industrial units consequently,the production of cement was limited between 2.7
million tonnes to 3.1 million tonnes.All cement industries were given under the
control of a corporation named "Pak State Cement Corporation".As a result
cement had to be imported to meet the domestic demand.
Performance upto the End of the 6th Plan:
In 1978,the government undertook various development projects for the
reactivation of the private sector such as the completion of steel mills,port
qasim,construction of new dams,railway lines,expansion of
highways,development of the under developed regions.Those projects caused
unprecedented increase in the domestic demand for cement in the country and
we had to depend on large scale import of cement to meet this increased
demand.Consequently ,in 1981-82,900,000 tonnes of cement was
imported,while in 1982-83,6,20,000 tonnes was imported.
In view of the steadily increasing demand for cement ,the private sector was
induced to invest in this industry.In addition to that ,the production capacity of
cement units in the public sector was also expanded during the 5th and 6th five
Year Plans.Consequently ,by the end of the 6th plan,the total production of
cement increased from 3.40 million tonnes in 1977-78,to 6.7 million tonnes in

1986-87.
Installed Capacity:
At present 23 cement units are operating in the country with a capacity of 8135
thousand tonnes .Out of these,12 units with a capacity of 5169 thousand tonnes
are in the public sector and 11 units with a capacity of 2966 thousand tonnes
are in the private sector.
Production(000 tones):
1989-90- 7488
1990-91 - 7762
1991-92 - 8095
(July-March) Provisional
Exports(Rs.million):
1989-90- 31
1990-91 - 159
1991-92 - 42

(D)PAPER INDUSTRY
Introduction:
Paper was first invented in 100 A.D.in china.Before the existence of Pakistan
there was no paper industry in our country.All the paper requirements were
imported from abroad.Domestic raw materials like bamboos,rice and wheat
straws,jute stalks etc.Were lying un-utilized and in abundance in the eastern
wing.Two big paper mills were established in East Pakistan which not only made
Pakistan self sufficient in writing,printing and wrapping papers but also placed it
in a position to export.There were only a few paper mills in the western
wing.After 1971,the supply of paper from Bangladesh stopped and we had to
depend on imported paper.However with the passage of time,many paper mills
were set up in Pakistan.
Important Paper Mills:
At present,following are the paper mills in our country:
1.Adamjee Paper Mills (Nowshera)N.W.F.P:
There is a hard board industry at Nowshera (N.W.F.P).Its producing capacity is
5000 tonnes of hardboard which is mostly needed for packing purposes.The

waste of sugarcane (bagasse) is used as raw material which comes from sugar
industry ,Mardan.
2.Charsada Paper Mills (Charsada,Mardan)N.W.F.P:
Wood pulp is used as raw material.
3.Gharoo Paper Mills (Gharoo)Sindh:
It uses waste of rice as raw material.
4.Packages Industry (Lahore)Punjab:
Uses wood pulp as raw material.
5.Rahwali Paper Mills(Gujranwala)Punjab:
It produces hardboard and brown paper.
6.Hyderabad Plant Paper(Sindh):
A plant of paper has been recently completed at Hyderabad to meet the
newspaper requirements which uses the waste of rice as raw material.
Imports of Paper and Paper Board:
During July-March 1990-91,the value of paper and paper board imported stood
at dollar 99.85 million.During the same period in 1991-92 the value of imports
stood at dollar 111.88 million.
(E) CIGARETTES INDUSTRY
A large amount of tobacco is being cultivated in various parts of our country and
we produce enough amount of tobacco every year.In the beginning there was
no factory for the manufacturing of tobacco products and we had to export most
of our tobacco in raw shape and had to import tobacco products from other
countries.
Thus the government allowed to set up a number of factors for the
manufacturing of tobacco products,so we saved a large amount or foreign
exchange.Today we have not only become self sufficient in our tobacco to other
countries.
There are 25 cigarettes manufacturing units situated at Jhelum
Multan,Lahore(Punjab),Karachi
(Landhi,Maripur,Sukkar,(Sindh),Nowshera(N.W.F.P)
Production(Million Nos.):
1989-90- 32279

1990-91 - 29887
1991-92 - 22575
(July-March)
Means of Transport
Introduction:
Transport and communication systems are vital to the economic health of a
country,and the density of the transport network is an index of economic
development.As the economy becomes more complex and
interlinked,adjustments and improvements must be made in the means of
transport and communication.Pakistan,is a relatively large country of diverse
topography.Development of Transportation network in the plain areas is
comparatively easy and economically rewarding.The reverse is true of the
mountainous areas and this fact is reflected in the present in the present
distributional pattern of means of transport and communications.The density of
the transportation pattern is very low in the Northern and North-Western hilly
areas and in the Baluchistan Plateau.Vast tracts of land are either totally devoid
of any modern facilities or very inadequately served.The following means of
transportation are available in our country i) Inland transportation(roads and
railways) .(ii) Waterways (river and ocean transportation and (iii) Air
transportation.

1. Inland Transportation
(A) ROAD TRANSPORTATION
Importance:
Road transport plays a vital roll in the economic development through
mobilization of human and material resources available in the economy of a
country.It facilities trade and opens business opportunities by collecting goods
from the producing centres and distributing them to different areas where they
are needed.It promotes foreign trading by arranging the distribution of imported
goods and collection of indigenous products to be sent abroad it serves as a
mean of creating link between the urban and rural sectors and facilitates the
movement of the people all over the country.Such movements accelerate social
welfare of the people and help the government in maintaining law and order
within the country.It also facilitates the arrangement for guarding the frontiers
through mobilization of defence store and personnel to the far flung border

areas.It supports and compliments the working of other transport systems.Such

as rail,air and waterways which have a limitation of not being extendable to
every part of a country and as such,their utility as means of mobilization of
resources is very much reduced.
Again,road transport does not require a huge investment and the return of
investment made in it not spread over a very very long period.Above all,its
maintenance cost is also comparatively very low and as such,its
development,improvement and expansion can be effected easily and cheaply in
comparison to other systems.
Road Transportation in Pakistan:
All the time Pakistan was created there was not much vahiculay traffic on roads
except bullock carts and other animal drawn carts .But today the thronged with
trucks,buses,station wagons,jeeps,cars and motorcycles.National logistic cell
established in 1978 is performing great service by transporting essential
commodities to and from Karachi Port Inland.
Although road traffic is increasing rapidly,the density of the road network is still
inadequate and the condition of most roads is unsatisfactory in quality,width,
and separation of up and down carriageways.Slow moving carts mingle with
modern vehicular traffic and accidents and traffic jams are frequent.
Principal Roads:
The main roads of Pakistan are as follows:
1.Karachi to Torkham via Lahore:
This is the longest and an important road of Pakistan.It is also known as the
grand trunk road.Its length is about 1735 kilometers.
This road links Karachi Port with other interior parts of our country.The import
and export of Afghanistan goes through this road.All the big cities situated on
this road are linked with other small towns and villages through small roads.In
many regions,this road run parallel to the railway line at some places due to
heavy traffic from Hyderabad to Karachi,it has been rebuilt and is known as the
Super Highway.This road passes from the following towns and cities.Karachi to
Thatta,Hyderabad,Nawabshah,Rohri,Rahimyar
Khan,Bahawalpur,Multan,Khanewal,Sahiwal,Okara,Patt
oki,Raiwind,Lahore,Gujranwala,Gujrat,Jhelum,Rawalp
indi,Nowshera,Peshawar,Torkham.
2.Karachi to Chaman via Kalat and Quetta:
This is the second largest and an important road of Pakistan.Its distance is

about 834 kilometers from Karachi to Chaman.This road beginning from Karachi
passing through the remote areas of Baluchistan Province,reaches upto
,Chaman,a small border town near the border of Afghanistan.The products of
Afghanistan ,such as dry fruits etc.come to Karachi through this road.Besides
this the requirements of rural and urban areas of Baluchistan are fulfilled
through this road.
3.Rohri to Quetta via Sukkur,Jacobabad-Sibi:
This is third important road of our country.Its distance is about 410
kilometers.This road passing through different parts of Sindh Province,connects
various important cities of Baluchistan Province.The products of Baluchistan
Province and trade with other province is mainly performed through this road.
4.Dera Ismail Khan to Quetta via Fort Sandeman:
This is also an important road of our country.This road connects the areas of
N.W.F.P .with Baluchistan Province.This road also goes from Dera Ismail Khan
to Peshawar via Bannu and Kohat.It has strategic and economic importance.The
distance from Dera Ismail Khan to Quetta is 555 kilometers.
5.Third National Highway:
On the right bank of Indus River,a big highway is under construction.Its
distance from Karachi to Peshawar will be about 1220 kilometers and it is
expected that it will be completed upto 1993.This highway will connect the
following cities:Karachi,Sewan Sharif,Dadu,Larkana,Shikarpur,Kashmir ,Dera
Ghazi Khan,Dera Ismail Khan,Bannu,Kohat and Peshawar.
(B) RAILWAYS
Introduction:
Railways are the convenient and quick means of transport of people and goods
particularly heavy items,over long distances.
Pakistan inherited 8554 km.(5315 miles) of railways ,to which much addition
has not been made.The extension work has hampered because of difficulties in
maintaining and running the existing railways.The locomotives in Pakistan were
run by coal.After the creation of Pakistan coal became a scarce commodity
.Therefore,Pakistan had to change its engines from coal to diesel which required
money and time.Workshop had also to be remodelled to to repair and maintain
them.Another problem was the availability of railways are switching to concrete
sleepers.At some places metre gauge track has been changed into broad gauge
track.Besides this,electrification of Railway track from Lahore to Khanewal has

been completed and work of electrification to Samasatta Railway track is under

progress.At present, Pakistan Railways comprise of 8775 route kilometers,907
stations and 78 train halts.Its major assets include 753 locomotives,2339
passengers coaches and 34851 freight wagons.
Railway Routes
Following are the principle routes at Pakistan railways:
1.Peshawar to Karachi via Lahore:
This is the main line of Pakistan railway.Its distance from Karachi city to
peshawar cantt.is 1045 miles or 1682 kilometers.This line passing through
Lahore (Pakistan Railway Headquarter) connects the biggest port of
Pakistan(Karachi) with other cities of the country.The following are the
important stations situated on this
route:Peshawar,Nowshera,Attock,Hasanabdal,Texila,R
awalpindi,Jhelum,Lalamusa,Gujrat,Wazirabad,Gujranw
ala,Lahore,Raiwind,Pattoki,Okara,Sahiwal,Khanewal,
Multan,Bahawalpur,Khanpur,Rahimyar
Khan,Rohri,Khairpur,Nawabshah,Hyderabad,Kotri,Kara chi.
It is a double line from Lodhran to Karachi and Lahore to Raiwind.Trains can go
up and down lines simultaneously,but from Raiwind to Lodhran,it is a single line
track and trains have to stop at various stations to pass the trains coming from
the opposite site.
Electric trains are being run between Lahore and Khanewal and further
extension work is under progress.It is estimated that the expenditure of oil
consumption have been reduced due to the use of electricity,and a large
amount of foreign exchange is being saved also.
2.Karachi to Quetta via Kotri,Dadu,Jacobabad:
This is also an important route of Pakistan railway.This line connects the port of
Karachi with various cities of Baluchistan Province and reaches upto Quetta.This
line has been further extended from Quetta to Zahidan via Nokundi ,Its distance
is about 323 miles.
3.Rohri to Chaman via Sukkur,Larkana,Quetta,Chaman:
The distance of this route is 239 miles,it reaches from Rohri to Chaman,a town
situated near the border of Afghanistan.The products of Afghanistan such as
fruits etc.reach various provinces through this route.
4.Peshawar to Multan via Attock,Kundian,Mari Indus,Multan:

This is a branch line which reaches from Multan to Attock and meets the main
line.
5.Lalamusa to Khanewal via Sargodha,Faisalabad:
This is also a branch line passing through various commercial centres and meets
the main line near Lala Musa.
(C) AIR TRANSPORT
in 1947 a small air company,the Orient Airways,Operated in Pakistan.Two more
companies quickly stand up namely the Pak-air Limited and Crescent
Airways.By 1952 the two new companies were dissolved.The Orient Airways
was too small to meet the growing needs of the country.Therefore,in April
1955,Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is established by an ordinance.The
Orient Airways was merged in the new company which now monopolizes air
transport in Pakistan.
The Pakistan International Airline has made a phenomenal progress since it
Inception.It started its life with a fleet of 15 aircrafts,three super constellation
,two convairs and ten Dakutas.As on February 29,1992 Pia's fleet comprised of
47 aircrafts of different types.
The PIA services are available to some large cities like Karachi,Lahore,
Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Hyderabad,and Quetta.It also links
small places which have transport difficulties like Gilgit
,Chitral,Skurdo,Pasni,Gwadar,Turbal and Jiwani and important historical
places,Like Mohenjo Daro.In all PIA serves 35 domestic stations.It has wide
links outside Pakistan.It connects many Europeon countries like U.K
,Germany,France,Italy,Russia etc.It goes to U.S.A.It connects most of the
countries of the Middle East and a few African countries.It goes to India,
Bangladesh, Singapore, Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Japan.In all PIA serves
43 International stations.The result of this expansion has been that the number
of the passengers and Cargo handled by PIA has greatly increase in 1955-56
PIA carried 1.1 million passengers which was more than double in flye years
time.In 1970-71 and 1971-72 ,There was a little set back because of political
disturbances in East Pakistan and its eventual position in 1971.Since then the
conditions have started to improve steadily.In ten years time the passenger
traffic increased from 1.8 million (1970-71) to 6.5 million (1980-81).The
increase was phenomenal rise took place in international traffic from 0.5 million
in 1970-71 to 3.2 million in 1981-82.The progress in Cargo handled by PIA as
equally glorious.In 1955-56 only 1,00 tons of cargo was carried that increased
by about 7 times in five years (1959-60).In other ten years 1970-71 the
increase was 3 times.In another ten years (198081),more than three times

increase was registered.

Karachi Airport of our country has gained the position of an International
Airport. It is a stopping point for flights from Europe to Far East and Australia
and also for flights from China to Africa.From Karachi there are connecting
flights to various countries of Middle East.PIA'S network extends from Tokyo to
Newyork and Toronto.In June,1991,Mashed in Iran as added as a new
destination.
In PIA,within a few years engineering facilities will be further developed and
production facilities will be geared up to undertake manufacturing and repair
work.
2. Waterways
(A)RIVER TRANSPORTATION:
Rivers were the chief means of transportation in ancient times.That is why most
of the ancient cities grew up along the courses and at the junctions of
rivers.Today,only cheap,bulky and non-perishable goods are carried by rivers.
Rivers are probably the cheapest means of transportation.Expenses such as
those involved in the building of roads and railway tracks are avoided as the
running cost of boats is low.When compared with that of engines and trains .In
mountainous regions of our country ,timber wood is transported by means of
rivers.There is insufficient water in our rivers all the year round for large boats
to use them easily.The Indus carries sufficient water and is navigable from
Attock to its delta which is about a distance of 960 miles.Different kinds of
Items such as timber,grains,stones etc.,are transported from one place to
another with the help of small boats.
(B)OCEAN TRANSPORTATION
The import and export of Pakistan are mainly carried through Ocean transport.
Shipping:
Pakistan is started its life with a frail base in shipping sector.There were three
old ships with a dead weight of 18,000 tons.Almost all the goods from foreign
countries were brought on foreign ships and heavy drain of foreign exchange
was taking place.The government therefore became a member of U.K.Continent
Conference line .More than 40 ships began to operate.Further expansion of
shipping enterprise was felt necessary.In 1963 a new shipping policy was
adopted which among other things,sanctioned the purchase of 35 ships.During
the same year National Shipping Corporation was established.Its ship began to
operate on U.K.continent route and U.S.A. in 1964.In 1965,its ships started to

go to Singapore,Hong Kong ,China and Japan.In 1966,Red sea and Persian Gulf
areas were tapped.By 1970 the corporation had 31 vessels with dead weight of
336,931 tonnes.Besides there were 40 ships owned by other companies
established in Pakistan.These 71 Pakistani ships were handling the entire
interwing trade (East Pakistan-West Pakistan trade) and 14 % of the foreign
sea-borne trade and could carry 6600 passengers.In 1974,th e private shipping
companies were nationalized.To manage them Pakistan shipping corporation
was established.In 1979,the two corporations were merged under the name of
Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC).The PNSC's development
programme includes the acquisition of a bulk carrier for shipments of rock
phosphate,an edible oil tanker for shipments of palm oil,four bulk carriers for
shipments of iron ore and coal imported by Pakistan Steel and three container
vessels for handling containerized general cargo trade.
At present there are 22 vessels owned by PNSC.The corporation has a dead
weight of 352,716 tons.During the first half of the year ending
December31,1991 the corporation handled 2.74 million freight tonnes of cargo
as against 2.77 million freight tons during the previous-half year ending
December 31,1990.
1. Karachi Port:
Located west of the Indus Delta on the Arabian Sea coast,Karachi Port has
served Pakistan since its inception.Karachi is a natural harbour sheltered behind
the island of Keamari and a break-water at Manora. Karachi,a major port by
world standards,is Pakistan's only large port.It has a vast hinterland comprising
not merely Pakistan and that part of Kashmir which is not under indian
occupation but also Afghanistan.The port has more than 25 berths,plus a
petroleum dock.The East Wharf ,constructed over 50 years ago,has been
modernized.The West Wharves and a dry dock for the construction and repair of
ships have been built since independence.The ports dry general cargo handling
capacity,though considerably increased in the past,is still less than the actual
amount of cargo handled,the two respectively being C and over 14 million tons
per annum.As a result,the harbour is very crowded,with most ships doubleberthed,and long delays in entering the port are usual .Much has been done to
improve the port in four projects .The fourth project of Karachi port
included,among other works,the construction of 75,000 dead weight oil tanker
berth.It has improve the old handling capacity of the port from 5 to 10 million
tonnes per annum.A master plan had been prepared for the development of the
port and the first set of 8 berths,with modern container terminals,was
completed by 1987-88.The dry general cargo handling capacity of the port
improved by 2 million tonnes.

Cargo Handling:
During the first nine months of the Financial year ending March 1992,the
Karachi port handled a cargo volume of 14.7 million tons (11 million tons of
import and 3.7 million tons of export) ,which is 4.2% above the corresponding
period of the previous year.
2. Port Mohammed Bin Qasim:
In view of the increasing work the Karachi Port had to perform,the necessity of
a new port was felt.After examining a number of areas,finally a site for the new
port was selected at Pilli Creek,close to Pakistan Steel Mill.In June 1973,Port
Mohammed Bin Qasim Authority was established and the work on the port was
started.Port Mohammed Bin Qasim,which is the first bulk,semi bulk and
industrial port of the country is situated 53 kilometers south east of the Karachi
Port.
Besides handling general cargo like rice,cement,fertilizers etc.the port will have
special facilities for handling iron ore, coal and steel mill machinery.In the first
phase the port shall have 8 berths and 12 more will be added in the second
phase.Most of the work in phase 1 has been completed and the port has started
functioning.
Cargo Handling:
Cargo handled at Port Bin Qasim during July March 1991-92 was 5.768 million
tonnes,including 5.152 million tonnes of import and 0.616 million tonnes of
export goods.
Foreign Trade of Pakistan
INTRODUCTION
When Pakistan came into being her economy was completely based on
agriculture.The experts consisted of agricultural products only.For the economic
development of the country there was need for diversification of her trade and a
change in her pattern.The government of Pakistan decided to industrialize the
country as rapidly as possible.Export promotion was regarded as one of the
highest national commitments by the government.Various measures were
adopted for export improvement.Pakistan participated in International Trade
Conferences and Fairs.The Export Promotion Bureau and Export Promotion
Council were set up to provide assistance and information to potential foreign
buyers.A large number of concessions and incentives were given to the export
trade section etc.As a result the pattern of trade in Pakistan changed.Experts

increased and now these include industrial finished products as well as raw
materials.
In spite of the different measures taken by the government for boosting the
export,still our imports are greater than the exports.The balance of trade is
unfavourable and deficit.
The year 1991-92 was estimated to have closed with a balance of payment
deficit of dollar 2.6 billion plus.Indeed as far as one may go back the balance of
payment has been in the red, with the figure hovering over dollar 1 billion
through out the last ten years or so.
CHIEF EXPORT ITEMS OF PAKISTAN
Following are the main items which may be included in our export list:
1.Cotton:
Cotton ranks at the top of the export list of Pakistan.Pakistan occupies first
position in Asia and second position in the world as an exporter of cotton and
cotton products.Export of Raw cotton,cotton cloth and cotton yarn together
contribute approximately 40 to 42% to the total export earning of
Pakistan.Karachi with the cotton growing hinterland has almost the monopoly of
the trade.
(a) Cotton Cloth:
Cotton fabrics are at the top of our export list.We export a large amount of
cotton cloth every year.Due to increasing demand,its export has gone higher
enough.
Some of the customers of cotton cloth are U.K,U.S..,U.S.S.R., Hong
Kong,Japan,Singapore,W.Germany and Sudan.
(b) Cotton Yarn :
It is another important export item of our country.Its export is increasing every
year. Important Customers are Japan,U.K,Hong Kong,W.Germany,U.S.A.,Sri
Lanka,and Burma.
(c) Raw Cotton:
Pakistan grows surplus amount of best quality long staple American Upland
Cotton which is very much demanded all over the world.Our main customers of
raw cotton are U.K.,China,Japan,Hong Kong,Belgium,Indonesia,Italy,Singapore
and Bangladesh.

2.Rice:
Pakistan has emerged as one of the leading exporters of rice .In the previous
years rice was at the top of our export list but due to fluctuation in the world
market,its demand has decreased.Best qualities like Basmati and Irri-6 are
exported.Pakistan exports rice to almost all the Gulf States and Middle
Eastern,European,East Asian and some African countries.
3.Carpets,Rugs And Mats:
Pakistan earns a large amount of foreign exchange by exporting very fine
quality carpets (both hand and machine made) rugs and mats.Due to heavy
competition in world's market their demand is increasing.
U.S.A. is an important buyer of Pakistani carpets,rugs and mats.Other
customers are mostly European countries including
France,U.K.,Italy,Switzerland,W.Germany,Belgium etc.
4.Fish And Fish Preparations :
Fish is exported,fresh,canned and dried.Shrimps are exported to Japan and
U.S.A. canned fish finds its market mostly in W.Europe.Middle Eastern and
South Asian countries (specially Sri Lanka) are also important customers of
Pakistani fish and fish preparation.
5.Leather And Hides:
Pakistan produces hides and skin worth approximately 2 crore every year of
which 40 % are exported.Now,because of leather industries in our country
export of hides and skin.Italy,Spain,Japan,France,China,Romania,W.Germ any
etc.are important markets in this regard.
6.Synthetic Textile Products:
Pakistani Synthetic Textle Products are popular in various foreign countries.Thes
are mainly exported to Middle Eastern,African and South american countries.
7.Petroleum Products:
There are 3 oil refineries in Pakistan where crude petroleum is imported and a
number of petroleum products are being produced.Some of the surplus products
are exported to India,Turkey,Sri Lanka,Singapore etc.
8.Sports Goods:
Pakistan has a worthy name in exporting sports goods to more than 100
countries,principally to W.Germany,U.K.,Italy,U.S.A.,France etc.

9.Surgical Instruments:
Pakistan is also exporting surgical equipments to China,Japan,America and
Canada.
Besides the above mentioned items,Pakistan exports a number of miscellaneous
items like raw wool,Tobacco,Fruits,Vegetables etc . to various countries.
CHIEF IMPORT ITEMS OF PAKISTAN

Following are the main items of our country:

1.Mineral Oil:

Our country is not self sufficient in our mineral oil requirements.The present oil
production of our own country meets only about 24% of the country's
requirements.So to meet the deficiency,we have to import a large amount of
mineral oil from other countries.We import mineral oil from Saudi
Arabia,Iran,U.A.E and other Middle East countries.

2.Machinery:

As our country is in its developing stage,we have to import different kinds of

machinery to meet the demands of various industries.The machines are usually
imported from Japan,U.S.A. and Europeian countries.

3.Edible Oil:

The production of edible oil is is not sufficient to meet the demand of our Ghee
industry.Although the government has taken various measures to boost up the
production of oil seeds,but inspite of those our country is still deficient in edible
oil so we have to import enough amount of edible oil e.g. soyabean oil from
U.S.A. and Palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia.

4.Chemicals And Drugs:

The economy of our country mainly demands on agriculture,so to get higher

yield from different crops spray of various chemicals is essential.Thus to meet
all these demands of our agricultural sector,we have to import various kinds of
chemicals and drugs from other countries.The chemicals and drugs are mainly
imported from Japan,Germany,U.S.A.,U.K., and other European countries.

5.Dyes And Colours:

Various Industries of our country use a number of dyes and colours as raw
material in their products such as textile,inting etc. so to meet the demand of
all these industries,various kinds of colours and dyes are imported.These
colours and dyes are mainly imported from Japan ,U.K.,U.S.A. etc.

6.Tea:

Our country produces a very small quantity of tea which is sufficient to meet the
demand of our country.So various tea companies port huge amount of tea.Tea
is mainly imported from Sri Lanka,Bangladesh,India and Kenya.

7.Electric Goods:

Different kinds of electrical goods are needed in our country .The local
industries are not in in the position to meet the required demand so we have to
import a large number of electric goods from Japan,S.A.,U.K. and other
European countries.

8.Transport Equipments:

Our country needs different kinds of transport equipments e.g.

buses,cars,rickshaws,motorcycles.So demand of these are high and hence they

are imported from Japan,Italy and other countries.

9.Paper And Paper Products:

Before 1971,we had a number of paper mills our eastern wing and our
requirements were fulfilled from the eastern .Although,after 1971 some paper
mills were set up in the wster wing,are still deficient in paper especially in paper
for newspaper industry.We have to import a large amount of news print paper
and other kinds of paper from Cnada,Japan,Sweden,U.S.A. etc.

DIRECTION OF TRADE

The global concentration of Pakistan's trade can be broadly classified to the

following major groups of countries:

1.West European Countries:

In this group U.K.,France,W.Germany,Belgium,Nether lands and other

Scandinavian countries can be included:These countries are the main buyers of
our export goods e.g.Cotton cloth , ,carpets,rugs,sports goods and many other
items and we import machines,electric goods,chemicals and various other items
from these countries.Our exports are less in comparison to the imports from
these countries and balance of trade is in favour of these countries.

2.Middle East Countries:

Saudi Arabia,Iraq,U.A.E. and other Arab countries can be included in this

group.These countries are the top buyers of our export goods,such as
rice,cotton cloth and various other items,but due to oil crises and Iran-Iraq
war,our export to these countries has declined to some extent, but our imports
from these countries have increased enough.We import mineral oil and various

other items from these countries.Thus due to heavy imports from these
countries,the balance of trade is in their favour.

3.Asian Countries:

Japan,Hong Kong,China,Singapore,Malaysia,Indonesia and various other

countries can be included in this group.Our exports to these countries has been
decreasing every year,and imports have increase too much so due to these
circumstance the balance of trade go in the favour of these countries.Japan is
the top buyer of our export goods in Asian countries,but we have to import
large amount of machinery,chemicals,transport equipments and various other
items from Japan.Besides Japan we do trade with others.Asian countries,such as
we import palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia and Tea from Sri Lanka and
Bangladesh.

4.North American Countries:

U.S.A.,Mexico,Canada and other countries can be included in this group.The

exports of our country to North American group is not progressive,but we
import so many kinds of goods,such as machinery,electrical goods,soybean oil
and requirements for our armed forces and various other items,and our imports
are about three times greater than our exports.So due to all these conditions
the balance of trade remains in favour of these countries.

5.R.C.D. Countries:

In this group are included Iran,Turkey and newly Independent Central Asian
Republics namely Tajikistan,Uzbekistan,Azerbaijan and Turkmanistan.Pakistani
exports to Turkey and Iran are quite enough.Although all these countries are
trying to make their balances of trade favourable,but inspite of various
measures taken by the concerned countries still Pakistan's imports are greater
than exports,so the balance of trade remains to the favour of these countries.

6.East European Countries:

This group includes countries of eastern Europe such as Poland, U.S.S.R.,

Romania, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Greece and others.Such countries import large
amount of our export goods such as rice, cotton cloth, sports goods,carpets and
various other items ,but our imports are comparatively less than our exports,so
balance of trade is in favour of our country.

Besides the above we do trade with so many African,central and South

American countries and also the various Asian and Oceania countries.

Short Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS
1.Area of Pakistan.
Ans.Area of Pakistan is 796095 sq.km. or 310403 miles.
2.Total Population of Pakistan.
Ans.According to the census of March 1991,the local population of Pakistan is
83782000.As on January 1,1992 the population was estimated to be 117.32
million.
3.Important Mountains.
Ans.The Himaliyas,The Karakoram,The Hindukush,The Suleman mountains,Koh
Safes etc.
4.Rivers of Pakistan.
Ans.The Indus,the Sutlej,the Ravi ,the Chenab,The Jhelum,River Swat,River
Kabul,River Bolan etc.
5.Important "Doabs" of Pakistan.
The land which lies between the two rivers is known as "Doab" e.g.Bari
Doab,Rachna Doab,Chaj Doab and Sind Sagar Doab.
6.The plateaus of Pakistan.
Ans.Potwar Plateau and Baluchistan Plateau.

7.Passes of Pakistan.
Ans.Khyber Pass,Bolan Pass,Tochi Pass,Gomal Pass,Lawari Pass etc.
8.Deserts of Pakistan.
Ans.Thal Desert,Cholistan Desert,Nara Desert and Thar Desert.
9.Climatic regions of Pakistan.
Ans.1.Sub-tropical continental highlands.
2.Sub-tropical continental lowlands.
3.Sub-tropical continental plateau.
4.Tropical coast lands.
10.Climatic Seasons of Pakistan.
Ans.1.Winter Season (from November to February)
2.Summer Season (from March to June)
3.Rainy Season (from July to October)
11.Administrative Divisions of Pakistan.
Ans.Pakistan comprises of four provinces with Federal Capital Islamabad.The
Provinces are Punjab,Sindh,N.W.F.P. and Baluchistan.
12.Dry ports of Pakistan.
Ans.Lahore dry port,Quetta and Sialkot dry ports.
13.Sea ports of Pakistan.
Ans.Karachi port and Port Qasim.
14.Important Dams.
Ans.Mangla dam,Tarbela dam and Warsak dam.
15.Important Barrages.
Ans.Chashma Barrage,Guddu Barrage,Taunsa Barrage,Jinnah Barrage etc.
16.What are the food crops of Pakistan.
Ans.Rice ,Wheat,Barley and Corn.
17.Name the main agricultural products of Pakistan.
Ans.Wheat,Cotton,barley,rice,sugar cane,millets(Jawar and bajra),grams and
tobacco.

18.What are the main mineral resources of Pakistan.

Ans.Coal,natural gas,chromite,gypsum,petroleum,iron,ore,rock salt and copper.
19.What are the main industrial centres of Pakistan.
Ans.Karachi,Hyderabad,Faisalabad,Lahore,Multan,Que
tta,Rawalpindi,Nowshera,Kotri,Gujranwala,Peshawar.
20.What are the main industries of Pakistan.
Ans.Cotton Textile Industry,Cement Industry,Sugar Cane Industry,Woolen
Textile Industry.
21.Main Imports of Pakistan.
Ans.Mineral Oil,Edible Oil,dyes and colours,machineries,chemicals and
drugs,tea,paper.
22.Main exports of Pakistan.
Ans.Cotton cloth,cotton yarn,raw cotton,rice,carpets,rugs,leather,synthetic
textile,fish and their products.