Pakistan’s vast and diverse geography provides a wide range of climatic conditions. Geographic and environmental factors influence the climate of Pakistan. Pakistan has a diverse range of climate zones, from the highland environment of Gilgit-Baltistan to the coastal climate of Karachi. Understanding these variations is essential for disaster preparedness, water management, and agriculture. This topic is fundamental in O-level geography, whether you’re preparing under Edexcel or Cambridge. Students studying through IGCSE tuitions or preparing for private exams in Oct/Nov should treat this as a high-priority chapter. 

What Is the Climate According to Pakistan’s Geographical Location?

Pakistan is a South Asian country that stretches from the mighty Himalayas in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south. Its geographical diversity causes Pakistan to have four main climatic zones: 

  1. The lowland climate covers the plains of Punjab and Sindh. 
  2. The highland climate encompasses the northern and western mountain regions. 
  3. The arid, dominates Balochistan and the Thar Desert.
  4. The coastal environment, located in southern Pakistan, encompasses Karachi and the Makran Coast. 

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Elements That Affect Climate

Several natural and man-made factors influence Pakistan’s weather and climate:

1. Geographical location: Pakistan’s proximity to the Tropic of Cancer results in high summer temperatures and mild winter temperatures. Hence, geographic location is essential.

2. Altitude and topography: These factors also affect climate; the lowland climates of Punjab and Sindh endure intense heat and monsoon rains, while the highland climates of the north experience frigid winters and substantial snowfall. 

3. Proximity of water bodies: Compared to inland areas, coastal climates with moderate temperatures result from being close to bodies of water, such as the Arabian Sea. 

4. Monsoon: While western disturbances affect winter rainfall in northern regions, the monsoon system produces substantial rains from June to September. ;

5. Urbanisation and deforestation: These two trends have exacerbated the elements influencing Pakistan’s climate, resulting in higher temperatures and air pollution.

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The Climatic Zone of Pakistan?

It is observed that there are 4 climate zones of Pakistan:

  1. The Coastal Climate: 

Southern Pakistan, which includes Karachi and Gwadar, has a coastal climate. Because of its closeness to the Arabian Sea, it experiences mild winters and humid summers, with monsoon rains having a modest effect.

  1. The Lowland climate:

The plains of Sindh and Punjab experience a lowland climate, with moderate to high monsoon rainfall and hot summers that surpass 45°C. Because of its rich soil and irrigation from the Indus River, Punjab and Sindh are now critical agricultural centres.

  1. The Highland Climate: 

The highland climate, which encompasses northern regions like Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Swat, is characterised by frigid winters with a lot of snowfall and cool summers. These regions also serve as a significant water source due to rivers fed by glaciers. 

  1. The Arid climate:

The Thar Desert and Balochistan are dry environments characterised by extreme temperature fluctuations and little precipitation, which causes problems with water scarcity and vegetation.

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What Are the Factors That Affect the Environment of Pakistan?

Deforestation, industrialisation, and climate change all significantly affect Pakistan’s environment. The following are essential variables influencing Pakistan’s climate:

  1. Deforestation: Rising temperatures and a decline in biodiversity result from deforestation.
  1. Industrial pollution: Degradation of the environment is a result of industrial pollution.
  1. Agricultural Practices: Agricultural practices, including excessive fertiliser and pesticide use, impact water quality and soil fertility.
  1. Rapid Urbanization: Cities have grown due to rapid urbanization, creating heat islands that raise local pollution levels and temperatures.

How Does Latitude Affect Pakistan’s Climate?

Pakistan’s weather and climate are greatly influenced by latitude. The climate in southern Pakistan, which lies close to 24°N, is coastal and mild. The lowland climate of central Pakistan, which is between 30°N and 35°N, features hot summers. The highland climate of northern Pakistan, which is located above 35°N, is characterised by harsh winters and abundant snowfall.

Past Year Data of Climatic Changes in Pakistan

According to recent climate data, 2024 was one of the warmest years, with temperatures in Sindh and Punjab above 50°C. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were devastated by flash floods and unexpectedly strong rains. Future water supplies in Gilgit-Baltistan’s highland climate zones are in danger due to the rapid acceleration of glacial melting.

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How Did the Climate Used to Be 5 Years Ago, and How Is It Now?

Pakistan has the most climate variability. Climate variability means the ways in which climate changes year by year – Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Pakistan’s weather and climate have changed significantly over the past five years. Regular seasonal changes and controllable rainfall patterns were observed in 2018. Record-breaking droughts, floods, and heatwaves were noted by 2023. The general pattern points to increased natural disasters, unpredictable monsoon behaviour, and rising temperatures.

What Reasons Contributed to This Drastic Change in Pakistan’s Climate?

There are several variables responsible for the recent changes in the climate:

  1. Tree cover has decreased due to deforestation and land degradation, which has increased desertification and decreased rainfall retention. 
  2. Air quality has worsened due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from automobile pollution and industrial growth. 
  3. Temperature increases in highland climatic zones have increased the melting of glaciers.
  4. Furthermore, poor water management has resulted in excessive extraction and waste, worsening drought conditions in areas with arid climates.

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Future Climatic Change Prediction:

Climate change estimates for Pakistan predict significant regional variations in temperature and precipitation patterns by the end of the century. These changes will likely influence several sectors, including agriculture, water resources, and public health.

1. Northern Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa):

2. Southern Pakistan (Sindh and Balochistan):

3. Coastal Areas (Karachi and Gwadar):

How do changes in the Climate of Pakistan affect Life?

The changing climate impacts different regions of Pakistan. Each region of Pakistan experiences different challenges due to its geographical location. The following describes the challenges each region faces due to the changing climate:

1. Northern Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): 

The northern mountain regions are facing glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) due to rising temperatures, which have accelerated glacial melting. These events present considerable risks to local communities, infrastructure and water resources. In recent years, it has been observed that the increased frequency of such floods has caused threats to the lives and livelihoods in the region.

2. Southern Pakistan (Sindh and Balochistan): 

The southern provinces are becoming more prone to high heat waves and unpredictable monsoon patterns. Temperatures in numerous locations rose above 50°C in 2022, aggravating health concerns and lowering agricultural productivity. The extreme heat increased monsoon rains, resulting in catastrophic flooding across vast regions, displacing millions and causing significant infrastructural damage. 

3. Coastal Areas (Karachi and Gwadar):

Coastal cities such as Karachi and Gwadar confront rising sea levels and more frequent tropical cyclones. Over the last century, sea levels along the Karachi coast have increased by about 1.1 mm per year, accelerating 3.6 mm from 2006 to 2015. This rise exacerbates coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources, and increased vulnerability to storm surges, negatively impacting local communities and businesses. – Climate change.

4. Central Pakistan (Punjab):

Punjab, Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, is experiencing changing precipitation patterns, leading to droughts and floods. Crop yields are affected by irregular rainfall, putting food security and the livelihoods of rural communities at risk. The World Bank believes that climate-related disasters, environmental degradation, and air pollution may reduce Pakistan’s GDP by 18-20% by 2050, with Punjab’s economy being particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on agriculture. – World Bank Blog.

What Measures Can Be Taken to Bring Positive Changes in the Climate of Pakistan 

Pakistan needs to take action to slow down climate change. Several case studies demonstrate the significance of sustainable projects:

Billion Tree Tsunami Project: Over a billion trees have been planted in the Billion Tree Tsunami Project (Pakistan). This massive afforestation initiative was started in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2014 to counteract soil erosion and deforestation. It restored 350,000 hectares of forest and degraded land, surpassing its Bonn Challenge commitment. This project was completed ahead of schedule in August 2017. – Billion Tree Tsunami Project

Punjab’s Solar Energy Expansion: By producing renewable energy, the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur lessens reliance on fossil fuels. It is a photovoltaic park named in the honor of Quaid-e-Azam. It is an 8 km², 400 MW solar installation that houses 1.6 million solar modules. For $131 million, the Punjabi government’s 100%-owned subsidiary, QA Solar, completed the project’s first phase in May 2015. The solar farm is expected to have an overall capacity of 1,000 MW. – Punjab’s Solar Energy Expansion

More measures to be taken:

Water Conservation in Sindh: Drip irrigation techniques have been implemented in arid climate zones to reduce water waste and boost agricultural productivity. While specific case studies on drip irrigation in Sindh are limited, the Government of Pakistan has been promoting efficient irrigation techniques, including drip irrigation, to conserve water in arid regions. These initiatives aim to reduce water wastage and increase agricultural efficiency, particularly in areas with limited water resources.

Essential tactics to implement constructive changes include:

Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees creates more green space to counteract deforestation and enhance air quality. Initiatives like the Billion Tree Tsunami Project demonstrate the impact of large-scale tree planting in combating deforestation and improving air quality.

Renewable Energy Use: Encouraging wind and solar power to cut carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Projects such as the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park highlight the benefits of investing in solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions.

Sustainable Water Management: Using effective irrigation methods to save water, especially in areas with arid climates. 

Government policies and public awareness: enforcing stringent laws to reduce industrial pollution, supporting sustainable agriculture, and encouraging eco-friendly regulations. 

Conclusion:

The climate zone of Pakistan, including highland, lowland, coastal, and dry climates, significantly impacts the country’s environment, economy, and way of life. Each region faces distinct climate-related issues that directly impact agriculture, water resources, infrastructure, and public health. However, rapid climate change increases these issues, resulting in extreme weather events including heatwaves, droughts, floods, and glacial melt. These changes threaten food security, increase the likelihood of natural disasters, and alter urban living circumstances.

To mitigate these negative consequences, Pakistan must establish comprehensive, long-term policies. Sustainable policies encouraging afforestation, renewable energy use, and efficient water management are critical. Furthermore, increasing public understanding and implementing environmental rules can assist in minimising industrial pollution and strengthening resistance to climate change. Investing in climate-smart agriculture, disaster preparedness, and environmentally friendly urban development will all help us adapt to these changes.

Pakistan can mitigate the long-term effects of climate change by prioritising conservation and sustainable development. The government, industries, and individuals must work together to safeguard natural resources, maintain ecological balance, and ensure a healthier, more stable environment for future generations. 

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FAQs:
  1. What are Pakistan’s main climate zones?
    Pakistan has four major climate zones: coastal, lowland, highland, and arid. Each zone has distinct weather patterns and environmental conditions.
  1. How does climate change affect Pakistan?
    Climate change in Pakistan leads to rising temperatures, unpredictable monsoons, glacial melting, and extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves.
  1. Why is afforestation important for Pakistan’s climate?
    Afforestation helps combat deforestation, improves air quality, reduces soil erosion, and mitigates the effects of climate change.
  1. What role does the monsoon play in Pakistan’s climate?
    The monsoon season (June to September) brings significant rainfall, which impacts agriculture and water availability and increases the risk of floods.
  1. How can Pakistan mitigate the effects of climate change?
    Pakistan can adopt renewable energy, implement sustainable water management, reduce industrial pollution, and promote afforestation to combat climate change.

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