Mountain Ranges in Pakistan

Some 3 million years ago, Indo-Australian tectonic plate got split up, and its Indian part traveled 6000 km to get annexed with the Eurasian plate. This continental collision led to the creation of most striking landmarks in the Asian continent. This process of Oregon resulted in the formation of three high mountain ranges of Asia: (a) Himalayan Range (b) Karakorum (An extension of Himalayas) range, and (c) Hindu Kush Range.

K2 in the Karakoram range is the second highest mountain in the world.

Himalayan Range stretches from Tibetan plateau in the north to Indo-Gangetic plain to the south, Karakorum-Hindu Kush in the west to the Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur states of India to the east. They are home to nine of ten highest peaks in the world. Three of the world’s major rivers flow from it namely Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers.

Geographically, Karakorum Range is considered just an extension of Himalayan range but politically it is demarcated as a separate entity. In the north, it is bounded by Tibetan plateau and the Pamir Mountains and in South by Gilgit, Indus, and Shyok Rivers. It’s significant part is glaciated, and contains the famous Siachin glacier. It’s also home to K-2, the second highest peak in the world.

Hindu Kush Range stretches from central Afghanistan to Northern Pakistan. It means “Hindu-Killer” as it is home to Afghans which are considered traditional enemies of Hindus plainsmen. This range has a tremendous historical status starting from Alexander the Great to the end of Cold war between the USA and Former USSR.

The several other mountain ranges of importance in Pakistan are Sulaiman Mountains, Salt Range, Makran Range, Margalla Hills and Kirthar Range.

These ranges are a reserve to the enormous amount of natural resources including minerals, several rocks, medicinal plants, and timber. They give an immense geostrategic importance to Pakistan and have a remarkable effect on the climate and civilization of people enclosed by them.