Unit 11# Transport and Telecommunications
1. Study the map, Figure 11-A.
a) Describe the pattern of Pakistan's railways.
Ans: There is a close and dense network of railways in Punjab and Sindh (close
to R. Indus) where there is thick population and many large towns. Railway lines
connect large cities. Railways run parallel to the rivers and cross the rivers only at
convenient places. From Punjab and Sindh railway lines branch off and connect
some important military centers in NWFP and Baluchistan.
Thus, border towns like Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu and Quetta are connected by rail.
A railway line runs from Quetta to Zahidan on Iran border. There are no railways in
South-Western Baluchistan and in Northern Highlands.
b) i. What are the advantages of rail transport for carrying raw materials to
factories?
Ans: Mostly the raw-materials are bulky commodities. Rail transport is
cheaper than road transport in case of bulky commodities such as raw cotton bales,
wool, oil-seeds, coal and building material. Rail transport is safer and faster also.
Railway cargo wagons running on long journeys do not stop at different stations,
rather it reaches the destination straight on time without any break in journey.
As the cargo wagons reaches the destination on time, raw material will reach the
industry at the required time and the industrialist will be able to deliver the
products timely in the market and will get quick returns of his outputs. Govt. can
generate revenue by movement of raw materials for the industries by charging rent
of the warehouses where the raw material is kept while the industrialist arranges
for the other transport to shift this raw material from the station to the industry.
ii. What are the disadvantages of rail transport for carrying raw materials to
factories?
Ans: Rail transport does not offer door-to-door service because railways
are not flexible. The industrialist has to pay for the extra transportation cost while
shifting the raw material from the station to the factory. Trains do not reach the
factories. Trans-shipment of goods is involved. Loading and unloading at railway
stations is cumbersome and time consuming. There is a danger of wastage and loss
as well. Some areas are not served by railways.
c) With the help of examples, explain why large areas of Pakistan have no
railways and only a few roads, which are mostly kacha.
Ans: In Pakistan there are large areas in the north and west which are hilly,
mountainous, rugged and barren. In the south eastern side there are large desert
areas. Highland areas are most of Baluchistan, Northern areas of Gilgit and Chitral.
Desert areas are Cholistan and Tharparkar.
Such areas are very thinly populated and have no railways. Railway construction is
very difficult because of ruggedness and steep slopes. Therefore, railway lines have
not been constructed. However, roads have been built because roads are cheaper
to construct than railways. Many of the roads are unmetalled or kacha because of
thin population and very small number of possible users.
d) Give two recent [since 1970] improvements in transport, which have linked the
Northern Area to the rest of Pakistan. Explain how these improvements are
helping the development of the Northern Area.
Ans: Two recent improvements are;
1. The Karakoram Highway 2. Airports built at Gilgit and Skardu.
The Karakoram highway (KKH) connects Rawalpindi to the Chinese border
(Kunjerab Pass) through Gilgit. It has opened up the Northern areas of Gilgit, Hunza,
Chitral, Skardu etc to Pakistani and foreign tourists. A metalled road connects Gilgit
to Skardu.
The products of northern areas can be sent to the markets of Punjab and Sindh
while food stuffs and consumer goods are sent to Northern areas. Thus, people of
Northern areas will get better opportunities of employment and trade. The airports
also encourage tourism and trade. Income of people has increased and local
economy has progressed.
2. a) Over 80% of Pakistan's freight and passenger traffic travels by road. Give
reasons for the great importance of road transport in Pakistan.
Ans: Road transport is the most popular means of transport. It includes motor
vehicles such as buses, trucks, cars, taxis, rickshaws, jeeps and motor cycles. Road
transport carries 82 % of the total passenger traffic and 54 % of the total freight
traffic in the country.
Now Pakistan has a total of 2,05,850 kms including 1,05,280 kms of highways’s and
1,00,570 kms of low type of roads. Two important agencies handling road
development, repair etc. are NLC (National Logistic Cell) and NHA (National
Highway Authority).
NLC was establish in 1978, is performing a great service by transport gains, edible
oil and petroleum to and from Karachi port. Road traffic in Pakistan is mainly in
private hands. Importance of Road Transport
Importance of Roads
1. Pakistan 64 % population is living in rural areas, which has no access to railways.
these rural areas are linked with cities and agricultural markets by roads.
2. The development of rural areas depends on the availability of roads. If the
network of roads is constructed the rural life may be prosperous.
3. By the construction of roads, agriculture sector can be developed by providing
agri- inputs and machinery and agri-products access to urban market.
4. Industrial products, consumer goods require roads for their supply to rural and
urban centers.
5. For short distances and quick traveling roads are most feasible and time saving.
6. Roads play an important role in mountainous areas, where rail construction is
not feasible.
b) Figure 11-B shows the Karakoram Highway.
i. Why was this a difficult road to construct?
Ans: The highway was a joint Pakistani and Chinese project and required the skills
of about 24,000 workers. Mud slides, rockfalls, and other avalanches were a
constant danger, and the road's construction was particularly hampered by the
unforeseen movement of glaciers in the region
ii. State two natural problems for vehicles using this highway.
Ans: The highest paved international road on the planet doesn't come without its
dangers. It is battered by stones, rockfall, floods and earthquakes.
iii. Explain its present-day importance for Pakistan.
Ans: Karakoram Highway provides the pathway to expeditions for almost all peaks
in Gilgit–Baltistan, Kashmir and several peaks in Xinjiang China. The region includes
some of the world's largest glaciers like the Baltoro and Siachen Glaciers.
c) Describe some of the other improvements made to road communications in
Pakistan in recent years.
Ans: Recently the National Highway Authority undertook a development
programme that included dualization of the Karachi - Lahore - Peshawar - Turkham
Highway (N-5) and the construction of bypasses. Pakistan’s national highways
include popular highways such as the Grand Trunk Highway, the Indus Highway, the
Karakoram Highway and the Makran Coastal Highway.
Pakistan has one of the most advanced road networks in the world, thanks to all
newly built highways, making intercity travel in Pakistan more comfortable,
enjoyable and safe than ever. All these road connections are part of “Pakistan’s
National Trade Corridor Project” and “China-Pakistan Belt Road Initiative,” which
connects all major trade routes in the country, from the Khunjerab Corridor, which
borders China, to Gwadar in Balochistan province.
M-8 Ratodero-Gwadar and M-11 Kharian-Lahore are two of the highways under
construction in Pakistan, Some M-14 also known as the Islamabad–Dera Ismail
Khan Motorway also partially operational. These roads not only connect the city
but also allow easy access to tourist attractions across the country.
3. To what extent would the building of more motorways, such as that between
Lahore and Islamabad, help the development of industry in Pakistan?
Ans: Motorways are likely to help in industrial development. Motorway
provide fast and safe movement of goods. Raw material can be easily transported
to factories and finished goods are sent to markets which would encourage
industrial development. Motorways open up undeveloped areas and attract
investors. Motorways provide faster movement of businessmen, technical experts
and tourists.
Motorways relieve the traffic congestion on older road such as the G.T Road.
Motorways are well maintained and are quite fit for large vehicles. Motorways are
helpful in the development of dry ports. But only the building of a Motorway will
not promote industrialization. There are many other factors as well which are
needed for industrial development. The negative aspects or problem in building a
motorway is that it involves high expenditure and are costly to maintain. It
becomes a burden on the economy by increasing foreign loans. Motorways do not
serve small towns and remote areas which remain neglected. A large tract of
agricultural land is acquired for building it.
4. a) i. What conditions are necessary for the location of an airport?
Ans: There are following conditions for the location of an airport:
1) Land should be flat, solid, firm, cheap, drained and there should be possibility of
future expansion.
2) Airport should be close to commercial, industrial, populated and affordable area.
3) Weather should be fair, stable, fog free and snow free.
4) Airport should not be located between densely populated areas.
5) Facilities like electricity, water, fueling and maintenance should be available.
ii. Name an international airport in Pakistan.
Ans: 1: Islamabad International Airport 2: Karachi Jinnah International Airport
3: Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport
iii. Name a regional airport in Pakistan.
Ans: 1: Bahawalpur Airport 2: Gilgit Airport 3: Hyderabad Airport
iv. How do the conditions needed for a major airport differ from the conditions
needed for a regional airport?
Ans: International airport: Have large runway for arrival of big aircrafts. It is
located near big towns. Operate day and night. International airport has adequate
security, V.I.P lounge. Better air traffic control facilities and can handle large
aircrafts.
Regional (local) airports: have small runways and are located in small towns,
operate only day time, less security and facilities available.
V. Why has the development of air transport been important within Pakistan?
Ans: Almost 56,000 people in Pakistan are employed by Airlines, airport operators,
airport onside enterprise, restaurants and retail, aircraft manufacturers and air
navigation service providers. Another 121,000 people who are buying goods and
services from local suppliers get jobs through this Air Sector.
People who are getting wages from Airlines spend their money on purchase of
consumer goods and generate employment of 70,000 from whom they are buying
their products. Similarly, foreign tourists coming to Pakistan and spending money
to buy different goods also spend 253,000 jobs. In aggregate 500 thousand jobs are
created by the Air Industry. Air Industry supports US$2 billion of GDP in Pakistan.
Foreign Tourists add US $1.3 billion of the country’s GDP, total US $ 3.3 billion are
added to GDP of Pakistan.
5. With the help of examples, explain why the following have been developed in
Pakistan:
Ans: i. Export Processing Zones: Export Processing Zones have been set up to boost
up the exports and earn foreign exchange. The idea was to promote industrial
development, attract foreign investment and get modern technology in the
country. The government establishes an industrial area where all necessary
infrastructure is provided. The products are of high standard and are all meant for
export because they can easily compete in the international market. Initially an
export processing zone was opened at Karachi. Now several such zones are being
created in many other cities of Pakistan. These zones attract investment, expertise
and latest technology.
ii. Dry Ports: Dry ports are working at Lahore, Sialkot and Faisalabad. A dry port is
not situated on the sea coast but is located in the interior. The exporters deliver
their exportable goods at the dry port. Private companies take the responsibility to
transport the goods to Karachi and arrange to load the consignment on a proper
cargo ship, which takes it to its destination. Dry ports receive the imported goods in
the same way. Dry ports facilitate external trade by providing customs clearance
services locally.
6. Choose two of the improvements shown below and explain to what extent
these two improvements could create more employment opportunities in
mountain valleys.
ROAD BUILDING CLEAN WATER SUPPLY
RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY BETTER TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Ans: 1. Road building in northern mountain areas will mean better transport
facilities which will encourage tourism. Better transport will make trade easier.
Local products can be marketed easily, which will bring more income to the people.
Health and educational facilities will be obtained more easily. There will be more
jobs such as drivers, road side hotels, guides and maintenance workers. It will also
attract investments.
2. Reliable electric supply will encourage cottage and small-scale industries. A large
number of items can be produced and marketed. It will create job opportunities.
Use of radio and TV will bring awareness and education. Tubewells can provide
water for agriculture. But problems of power shortage and break downs may occur.
7. It is important to improve transport communications in Pakistan to encourage
development. Read the following two views about improving transport
communications in Pakistan:
A: The road and rail network should be extended to remote rural regions
of Pakistan to encourage development in these underdeveloped regions.
B: The road and rail network should be upgraded in Pakistan's most highly
developed and populated regions in order to reduce the congestion which
is slowing economic development.
Which view do you agree with more? Give reasons to support your answer and
refer to examples you have studied. You should consider View A and View B in
your answer.
Ans: Developed roads, highways, bridges and ports play a significant role in the
economic development and prosperity of a country. In the economy of Pakistan
where the services sector contributes around 61% of the total GDP, the domain of
transport and communication which represents a sub-section of services is of
pivotal importance. In Pakistan, road transportation is preferred for being
economical and time-saving. In rural areas, it is the only medium present for the
movement of people and freight.
The railways are generally seen as the poor people’s mode of transport. Over 80
percent of Pakistan’s population and approximately 85 percent of its GDP is
generated from the area around Karachi in Sindh, and Punjab. The economic hubs
of these two large provinces are connected through road and Railways with roughly
1,000 km of flat terrain. There is great potential for passengers and freight along
this north-south axis.
Poverty in Pakistan has historically been higher in rural than urban areas. The road
and rail network should be extended to remote rural regions because if we want to
raise the poor from the poverty line then it is inevitable. The development of road
and revival of railway will encourage business activities and employment level in
the low developed areas. Moreover, migration from rural areas to urban areas will
decline which reduce congestion and house rent or prices in urban areas as well.
The government needs to reform the road and railway structure for social and
economic reasons. Recently, the upgradation of the Main Line-1 project being
executed under the CPEC initiative is the best example for development of
transport communications in the underdeveloped regions of Pakistan.
