Mark Twain
UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL
GEOGRAPHY Iftikhar A. Malik
OF PAKISTAN
Prevailing political phenomena of the
country at various levels of the society
does need its rational analysis to find
its possible relationship with its
immediate geography as one of a
strong tool to delineate regional
patterns of our political thought
and structure.
The people of Pakistan , when viewed under this new
vision, appears a passive group of citizens which can
be channeled onto new realities of life unfolding its
inner extremely suppressed potentials to creative lines
of action rather than wasting in subversive,
unproductive and undesired activities. Political
geography further defines new set of paradigms which
may be of some great significance in the decades to
come. This article concludes some broad regional
political patterns that may interest the reader for their
obvious implications.
Pakistan is a vast country with its great human and
natural resource potential to become a core state for
the Muslim countries. The imposed political crisis
created by outside players and partially owned by the
local ruling elite would need to be overcome. It has a
profound and brilliant past, with its own civilization,
diversity as well as unity. Several times in the past and
even today, foreign powers have used this region to
achieve their own ulterior motives. What is our real
inner potential which is visible to outside powers but
invisible to us needs our attention for its realization.
We have taken the following parameters to delineate
AUGUST 2008 08
Anonymous
consumption of energy and industrialization,
various geographical units which apparently define
some political entity. Largely these parameters
include:
1. Population density on Tehsil level
2. Rate of literacy, further refined by using
Tehsil level educational census data of class-
10 as a st-able unit (Education Census 2005,
GOP).
3. Level if industrialization
4. Agriculture out put
5. Literary out put in the form of journals,
newspapers and books
6. General financial position
7. Share in service class
Level of cultural activities
All these factors have been synthesized and drawn on
the map for their classification which is attached here
for reference. Broadly, Pakistan could be divided into
the following three regions with their respective sub-
regions as:
1. The Core Intelligentsia termed as Region-A
with its sub-regions as A-1, A-2 and A-3.
2. The Peripheral Intelligentsia, called as B with
its sub-regions as B-1 and B-2.
3. The Vast Agrarian and Wasteland Mass denot-
ed as C with its sub-regions from C-1 to C-5.
The Core Intelligentsia is the part of the
country where population is highly dense, people are
well educated, very much influenced by western
values of life, high per capita income, high
comparatively better health and educational facilities
with high intellectual out put. The region covers much
of the elite society comprising leading politicians, top
service class, scientists and engineers, artists,
industrial and business community members. The
region contributes much towards literature, art and
culture. Mostly they matter in the over all country's
affairs.
So for three such regions have been identified as
portrayed on the attached map as A-1, A-2 and A-3
including areas such as:
1. A-1: Comprising Lahore- Faisalabad- Gujrat-
Sialkot area
2. A-2: Comprising Islamabad-Rawalpindi-
Abbotabad-Charsada-Peshawar area
3. A-3: Karachi and its surroundings
Let us now examine each sub-region with some of
their details. The Lahore-Faisalabad-Gujrat-Sialkot
zone (A-1) occupies north-eastern upper part of the
Punjab plain. Its ancient history and civilization is
traced back in the ruins of Harappa as a part of Indus
civilization. It is historically rich in its culture,
industry and education. The entire area is well known
for its agriculture out put including different
vegetables and fruits. It is the political hub of the
country. Leading newspapers, journals and books are
published with an international outlook. Educated
class is mostly westernized in its culture and life style.
The over all impact of all these development is quite
conspicuous. Both Left and Right wing thinkers, just
like ordinary citizens, have welcomed exotic ideas
instead of creating their own philosophy of life.
Possibly due to this nature the creative minority could
not give any aspiration to pull the society out
whenever they faced any crisis. Each crisis has left a
deep scar on the inner conscious of the society which
wants its expression in the form of various disciplines,
may it be politics, science and technology or cultural
manifestation as folk songs.
Sub-Region-A-2 comprises an area from Islamabad,
Rawalpindi to Abbotabad and then going roughly to
Peshawar which is equally rich in industry, high level
of education with rapidly western way of life adopted
by the younger generations. Ancient ruins at Taxila
and Gandhara indicates its brilliant past. Its
agriculture and industry is well established. Tobacco,
sugarcane and various fruits and vegetables are highly
priced. Big industrial units like HMC, HEC, Kamra
Aeronautical Complex, Wah industrial complex,
Railway Carriage factory and a host of other
industrial activities make this region highly
productive and dynamic. The capital provides a
pivotal point for the entire country while Peshawar
has its own historical significance situated at the
mouth of Khyber Pass. The area is dominant with
service class structure which is playing its own role
through administrative means. Its Pukhtun population
is politically active besides their strong cultural
expressions, may it be unique music and life style.
Karachi (A-3) is an island of industry and financial
capital of Pakistan. It handles the major part of our
import/ export through its two harbors. Its populace is
highly educated with a distinct cultural background,
high sense of superiority and a remarkable
commercial and business attitude. There is well
established textile, pharmaceutical and engineering
industry besides consumer goods. Shipyard, Steel
Mills and oil refineries supply their stuff to the whole
country. Politically it is highly conscious and
provocative region. Karachiites have developed their
own Diasporas in the world. They are more prone to
internationalism due to their vast business links.
The three regions described above are the three strong
pulling forces of the country. Although regarded a
political hub of the country, the sub-region A-1 has
always played a submissive role with no political
culture and leader of its own. They are the best service
class and thereby picked up by all outsiders to serve
their ulterior motives. And happily they do it. Ignorant
of their strength rather they are proud of serving
others. Eastern part of the sub-region, A-2 is a self
privileged class while its western part has always
benefited by its political leadership. Pathan is very
good in business and has already To be Continue
AUGUST 2008 09

Politics
UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL
GEOGRAPHY Iftikhar A. Malik
OF PAKISTAN
Captured major portion of the business in the sub-region A-1 and A-3.
Karachiites are a real political mind. The old refined Lucknow culture
with Aligarian background is still a dynamic working force. While Pathan
always keeps boost up himself by its hegemonic nature of the near
past the Karachiites, as a major political force, are still inspired in the
remnant of Mughal Empire.
The Peripheral Intellectual Core is a contiguous outer shell of the inner
core where level of education, industrialization, art and culture, socio-
political awar-eness and agricultural out put considerably varies com-
paring it with the core area and therefore has been named as Region-
B. The region has been further divided into B-1 area encircling A-1 and
A-2 and B-2, a tongue like structure spreading north of Karachi.
Area covering much of Swat, Malakand, Bunner
and Kaghan valley constitutes B-1a which is
rich in agriculture out put and famous for
tourism due to its soft weather.
Whereas area falling south of A-2 covering Talagang, Chakwal,
Mianwali, Kohat, Jhelum and Khushab is semi-arid with scarce
industrialization constitutes B-1b. It is this area which supply major
manpower to the army. Although producing several eminent Generals
in the country this region has yet to produce a General who could
become folklore like Alexander the Great. They are on their path of
development. Much of the south of A-1 zone comprising Jhang, T.T.
Singh, Multan, Muzaffar Garh and from Bahawalpur to Bahawalnagar is
a vast land with boosting agriculture but less industrialization. Rich in
Sophism literature people are content to their lives. They are soft
spoken with melodies in their music. Although Multan has been a
regional centre but still mostly people are apolitical.
Peripheral part of the Karachi Island is a tongue like structure
spreading towards north including cities like Sukkar, Larkana,
Khairpur, Dadu, Nawab Shah, and Hyderabad to Sonmiani bay. It's a
vast land spreading on both sides of the Indus River. Mohenjo Daro is
the well known ancient ruins of this region. Being close to the river it is
equally rich in agriculture. The society derives its inspiration from their
mythology deeply imbibed in their respective culture. People seek
refuge in their past, although politically active. Their elite are playing a
“Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.”
Thomas Jones
SEPTEMBER 2008 02
Part II
dominant political role in the country which is a symbol of inspiration
for them. In a sense they represent the soil they belong to.
Peripheral core represents the most active regional political groups in
the country. Pukhtuns, Siraikis and Sindhi nationalists have strong
impact in their respective areas. Although they have produced strong
literature in their own languages producing a strong lull in the youth at
grass root level but their stiff nationalism has no element of modern
development.
Close look to all these movements is indicative
that they all are struggling to maintain their
own language, culture and identity by reviving
their own mythology, folk lore and religious
rituals in local traditions. Politically they are
far ahead as compared to the core intelligentsia.
The vast Agrarian and Wasteland Mass termed as Region-C spreads
beyond the peripheral portion of the country up to country's
international boundary with Afghanistan and Iran which, for our
convenience, could be grouped into the following zones:
Zone-C-1: The area includes all the entire Northern Areas, District
Chitral down to Dir touching Khyber Agency. It is a vast hilly area with
lofty peaks and ranges with its extremely sporadic agriculture and
sheep farming but full of yet un-tamed minerals and water resources
for hydropower generation. Its glaciers and ice lakes are the
permanent water resources of the Indus River. People are hard
working and patriarchal in their nature with strong religious attitude.
Balawaristan movement for greater liberty is the main political
movement of the Hunza, Gilgit and Skardu areas. Just like once a Taxila
university as an educational centre in the ancient past Darel university
in the Darel-Tangir valley also served an educational centre in the past.
Stone carving along KKH and in the deep interior valleys depict the
presence of an old civilization in this region with their distinct culture.
Zone-C-2: The seven tribal agencies under the name FATA further
Politics
down to Zhob and extending towards plain areas of D.I. Khan and
across the river including Bhukkar and Leiha of the Punjab is a zone
where one could study a classic section of three distinct sub-zones as:
(1) FATA and the hilly area up to Zhob representing a hilly culture (C-
2a); D.I. Khan, D.G. Khan and up to Rojhan as a foothill culture (C-2b)
and Bhukkar and Leiha as a complete plain area culture (C-2c). The
pagan and gun culture of FATA people, slightly mild with dominant
religious attitude in the foothill area and broader but still archaic
nature of the plain area are the dominant socio-political realities.
Recent movement of Taliban in the FATA area is depicting the harsh
realities of the C-2a zone.
Zone-C-3: Down to Zhob there is a vast semi-hilly area including Kuhlo,
Dera Bugti, Maiwand, Sibi, Sui and up to Kirthar Mountains in the south
and covering Bruhawi hills as a north-south stretch is an area with its
semi agriculture out put and sheep farming. They have their own
brilliant past and the old ruins at Mehr Garh, near Sibi. As means of
production are limited any discovery of oil and gas attracts an
immediate attention to become an effluent society comparable to Kar-
achi or Lahore. They are instinctively possessionists. Again the harsh
nature provides a natural environment to produce a tribal society with
stiff attitude which is not religious but tribal in expression. The area
remains a theatre for Baluch Movement voicing for greater liberty.
Zone-C-4: The entire Choolistan and its southern continuity into the
Tharparker desert have been classified as a separate entity. It's a
sand mass with extremely less population and almost negligible
agriculture but some fishing and farming along the Indus River makes
it a natural independent zone. Indus delta is the extreme southern
part of this zone. Discovery of Tharparker coal as one of the biggest
coal deposit in the world will play a decisive role in shaping the future
political shape of this region.
Zone-C-5: From Nushki to Taftan crossing the entire Chagai hills,
Kharan hills and down to Turbat, Kalat, Khuzdar, Gawadar and the
entire coastal area is again presenting us three sub-zones as (C-5a)
consisting of Chagai and Kharan hills, (C-5b) covering the central
Balochistan plateau and (C-5c) the entire coastal area. The northern
Chagai ranges rich in copper, iron and onyx marble will cast different
shadows as compared to the coastal area in the south leaving a huge
barren area in between the two will demand a separate look for its dev-
MAP
“True friendship is like sound health, the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.”
C. C. Colton
SEPTEMBER 2008 03
elopment. Recent buildup of Gawadar port has added a new dim-ens-
ion of politics in the region. The three sub-regions are scarcely popul-
ated. Sinjrani of Chagai hills are quite different as compared to Makra-
nis along the coast. There is no industry in any part. Fishing along the
coastal area and sheep/ camel farming in the central plateau and Cha-
gai hills with some scattered agriculture are the only means of survival.
Conclusion: The identified politico-geographical regions will have to be
judged differently. Each zone has its own characteristics which can be
engineered on scientific lines to pull the nation out of the existing
chaos. Creative minority of Zone-A-1 will have to share a major
intellectual responsibility to look seriously the western intellectual
invasion especially in the field of science and technology, philosophy,
economics and social engineering. Their excellent nature of
adoptability for latest ideas demand to lay down new foundations of the
society par excellence in every field, may it be culture, media, art,
science and technology, law and religious thoughts. Intelligentsia of
Zon-A-2 may join into the same stream of intellectualism. Peshawar is
a unique place where three forces are convergent. Extreme culture of
FATA, modernism in the educated and elite class and the influence of
Pukhtunkhaw movement, each having its own driving force will not be
able to provide a uniform solution for their development and political
linearity. Zone-A-3, Karachi is a small island of its own where fascist
movement of the MQM is struggling hard for its acceptability on
national level. Their divided intelligentsia will have to re-define its role
in making the future shape of Pakistan.
As said earlier the Peripheral Intelligentsia zone
is a major theatre for nationalistic movements
voicing for more liberty and fundamental rights.
Pukhtunkhaw, Siraiki and Sindho Desh
movements are working at grass root level mainly
on language and cultural bases.
As these forces do not offer any modern ideas to the young generation
except their own cultural values, their large scale acceptability among
the youth will be further reduced by the influence of globalism due to
deep penetration of electronic media, internet and education.
Leadership of the country is in the hands of Peripheral Intelligentsia
which is agrarian and archaic. Support of core intelligentsia to this
leadership has proved to be a failure. Like advanced nations the future
political hegemony, based on capitalistic ideals or on any new
philosophy of life is more likely will remain in the hands of core
intelligentsia if the nation has to develop.
This brings us to the last but very important zone of Pakistan the
Region-C where stronger nationalistic movements are currently in
rebellion against the government. Baluch Liberation movement,
Taliban in FATA and Balawaristan movement in the Hunza-Gilgit valley
have recently made a big outburst in their respective areas. How t
o break their archaic tutelage into a dynamic progressive approach is
no doubt a big challenge. Resources for their development in the
respective regions are available which need careful planning and
funding for their development. They will continue to uproar unless they
are developed for their merger into peripheral intelligentsia.
Geography is playing a silent role in developing different taboos only
disturbed by major invasions, may it be by an army or an intellectual or
spiritual one. Neither politicians nor intelligentsia can work in isolation
of each other. There is capability and resources in the country which
needs articulation for playing a due vital role in the region.