Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 7-10
The Karakorum Highway that links Pakistan with China.
Redrawn from a map at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilgit-Baltistan
Kashgar
China
Upal
Y engisar
Y arkand
Ghez
Kongar
(7719m)
Muztagh Ata
(7546 m)
T ashkurgan
T Tajikistan
Khunjerab Pass
Hunza
Sost
Passu
Gulmit
Nagar
K2
(8611 m)
Karimabed
Chalt
Masherbrum
(7821 m)
Rakaposhi
(7788 m)
Gilgit
Gilgit
Chilas
Bungi
Indus
Khaplu
Skardu
Nanga Parbat
(8125 m)
Karghil
Dasu
Chitral
Besham
Mansehra
Abbottabad
Haripur
Srinagar
Islamabad
India
Peshawar
Pakistan
Rawalpindi
Indus
People Working the Land
Opposition has also come from Kashmiris who see
the plan as an insidious move by the central govern-
ment to dilute their cause by giving a region, interna-
tionally considered a part of the Kashmir issue, greater
status within Pakistan. India is also protesting the
moves as it sees Pakistan as solidifying its position in
Kashmir. However, it has rankled the people of Gilgit-
Baltistan even more since it implies that the Kashmir
controversy is “solved.”
There are other arguments against the plan as well.
Some say that it is intended to assuage the people to al-
low dam construction without protest. Others espouse
the notion that China is the driving force because they
want stability along their western border. Appeasement
of Western donors who are concerned about human
rights issues in the region is also irksome. Over all, the
Gilgit-Baltis see the plan as a “package of gimmicks.”
Clearly , trouble is brewing in this region.
Agriculture comprises the largest sector of Pakistan' s
economy , contributing 24 percent of its GDP . It accounts
for nearly half of labor force employment and is the
largest source of foreign exchange earnings. Only about
40 percent of the country' is land is suitable for cropping
and 90 percent of this is on the Indus River plain in
Punjab and Sind. The most important food crops are
wheat and rice, and the most important commercial
crops are cotton and sugar cane. Unfortunately , agricul-
ture in Pakistan is fraught with problems that have
resulted in increasing food insecurity .
MAJOR CROPS AND SEASONALITY
T Traditionally, , crops fall into two seasonal categories:
kharif and rabi (Figure 7-11). Kharif crops such as rice,
 
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