M22ISS Research Design: Significance of Pakistan's Strategic Location

This research report investigates the significance of Pakistan's strategic location in South Asia. It begins by posing key research questions about Pakistan's potential as a great power, its role as a gateway to Central Asia, the impact of CPEC, its connections with Muslim countries, and the influence of its nuclear capabilities. The report aims to identify the strategic importance of Pakistan's location and examines its geo-political position, highlighting its geographical advantages, its relationship with China, and its role in regional power dynamics. The literature review covers topics such as Pakistan's geo-strategic position, its significance in South-East Asia, and its regional prospects, including the CPEC project. The methodology section outlines the research philosophy (Positivism), approach (deductive), design (Explanatory), and data collection methods (secondary data analysis). The report also addresses ethical considerations and provides a structured overview of the dissertation, including an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and analysis, and conclusion, along with a detailed bibliography and a research time frame.

Running head: RESEARCH ENQUIRY
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Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Topic: Significance of the strategic location of Pakistan in South Asia
1. Research questions
The research question for the study will be:
 What are the possible opportunities of Pakistan for becoming a great power?
 How the gateway to Central Asia contributed to the strategic position of Pakistan?
 What is the position of Pakistan after CPEC inception?
 How far the geographical position of Pakistan assist in linking the chain of Muslim
countries?
 How does the nuclear capability of Pakistan shape its strategic establishment in South-
East Asia?
2. Objective of the research
The objective of undertaking the research will be to identify the significance of the strategic
location of Pakistan in South Asia.
3. Aims of the research
The aims of the research are:
 To examine the possible opportunities of Pakistan for becoming a great power
 To evaluate the manner in which the gateway to Central Asia contributed to the strategic
position of Pakistan
 To evaluate the position of Pakistan after CPEC inception
 To identify the manner in which the geographical position of Pakistan assist in linking the
chain of Muslim countries

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 To inspect the manner in which the nuclear capability of Pakistan shape its strategic
establishment in South-East Asia
4. Literature review
4.1 Geo-strategic position of Pakistan
As far as the power structure or power nexus in the South-East Asia is concerned, it can
be argued that besides the intervention of China, Pakistan is the most important country followed
by India. Enmity between India and Pakistan has been escalated into international issue so that it
is essential for Pakistan to set its geo-political standpoint highly and effectively. Its extensive
diplomatic relation all over the worlds with a strong geo-political position helps Pakistan to
develop the influence in the South-East Asian region. In this regard, Ali (2015) seen that the
geographical barriers of deserted regions of Afghanistan in Easter side, the presence of the great
Himalayan mountain in the Northern province and the Arabian sea in the south provide a
geographical fortress that help Pakistan to develop itself and protect the sovereignty. According
to Mehmood (2014) during the inception of Pakistan in 1947, the hostility between Russia and
USA led to great advantage for the newly independent countries. Pakistan got the support of
USA. Currently, the amicable ties with China further bolsters the strategic position of Pakistan
effectively
Moreover, Javaid and Javaid (2016) articulated that the strategic geopolitical position
provides the only gateway to connect to the Central Asian region. As the recent global pressure
from the international community over Pakistan’s role in combating terrorism, it is important for
the country to find out new power nexus and Central Asia can be the best hope for Pakistan.
From that point of view, Pakistan plays a pertinent role in order to cherish an exclusive power to

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rejoice its diplomacy as well as the economic infrastructure. As Naseem and Younas (2017)
opined that since the inception Pakistan has got enough support from the Muslim World and due
to share a link between Central and South Asia, Pakistan witness direct interaction of both the
parts. Therefore, a pan-Islamic aspiration blended with the social and economic developments
are the key factors for the elevation of Pakistan in the South-East Asian diplomacy.
Furthermore, in Middle East the political power nexus is fragmented into two power
camps Iran and Saudi Arabia. As a result of that due to religious conflict and clash of interest in
political influence, the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia became so much escalated. In this
regard, Alvi (2014) mentioned that the role of Pakistan is highly important which will help to
restore peace and integrity within the Central and West Asian Islamic states. As a matter of fact,
Hashemi and Postel (2017) argued that amidst of this situation Pakistan took the advantage of
such political upheaval and intended to establish its political influence over the region.
4.2 Significance in South-East Asia
Only Islamic country in South-East Asia and the first Islamic country empowered with
nuclear weapon create a global exposure for Pakistan effectively. The recent report of Kristensen
and Norris (2015) stated that Pakistan is the 5th largest nuclear super power with a stockpile of
140 to 150 nuclear warheads. Rapid development in the nuclear infrastructure and adequate aid
from China make Pakistan one of the powerful nations across the world. It can be argued that
havoc power struggle between India and Pakistan leads to a chaos in the South Asian region and
to overpower Indian influence on South-East Asian countries, Pakistan develops a check and
balance of control through empowering itself with nuclear power.

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Besides this, the oil and gas project with Iran and India is also considered to be a great
strategic advantage for Pakistan to set its position eloquently in South-East Asia. From the
research of El Zant et al. (2018) it can be stated that this pipeline project brings more diplomatic
clarity into the international relationship among Iran, Pakistan and India. The relationship
between India and Iran is a potential threat to the sovereignty of Pakistan. Helping Saudi Arabia
further perturbs the situation. Therefore, keeping a power balance and checks in the neighboring
countries it is pertinent for Pakistan to make amicable agreement with hostile countries.
Moreover, during the Saudi-Yemen crisis the Pakistani government took an important role in
terms of establishing better diplomatic tie up with Saudi Arabia by aiding military support.
4.3 Regional prospects
Besides this, from the cultural and religious stand point, most of the South-East Asian
countries are indoctrinated with Islam. In this context, India and Sri Lanka are the prominent
exclusion. Therefore, a cultural domination manifested by Islam is a useful tool for Pakistan to
set its strategic position and diplomatic measures through religion (Shufanget al. 2014). In fact,
Pakistan is the sole region that connects the entire Muslim world from Central Asia to South East
Asia. India’s presence as a guardian of the South-East Asia is the main obstacle for better
diplomatic expansion of Pakistan. In this regard, it is essential for Pakistan to make new relations
with the South-East Asian countries through similar cultural sharing and religious make overs.
Therefore, the strategic importance of Pakistan in international platform is huge and significant.
CPEC In addition to this, it can be stated that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor also
known as the CPEC project provides further advantage in the development of economic
infrastructure within Pakistan. As a matter of fact, the prospect of the CPEC project is to
modernize Pakistan economically and develop the construction of modern transportation

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networks (Khetran and Saeed 2017). As a result of that it can be argued that the CPEC project is
highly anticipated measure and intends to make a severe transformation in the power structure
within South-East Asia.
5. Bibliography
Name of the
author
Title of the article Year published Journal name Page number
Akber Ali China Pakistan
Economic
Corridor (CPEC):
Prospects and
challenges for
regional
integration
2015 International
Journal of Social
Sciences and
Humanity Studies
pp.1-15
Umbreen Javaid
and
Rameesha Javaid
Strengthening geo-
strategic bond of
Pakistan and China
through geo-
economic
configuration
2016 Pakistan
Economic and
Social Review
p.123
Mir Sher Baz
Khetran
and
Muhammad
Anjum Saeed
The CPEC and
China-Pakistan
relations: A case
study on
Balochistan
2017 China Quarterly of
International
Strategic Studies
pp.447-461

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Hans M.
Kristensen
and
Robert S. Norris
Pakistani nuclear
forces, 2015
2015 Bulletin of the
Atomic Scientists
pp.59-66
Naheeda Naseem
and
Isma Younas
Regional bonds
between Central
Asia and South
Asia (with special
reference to
Pakistan)
2017 Proc Paki AcadSci pp. 550
Wang Shufang,
GE Yuejing,
CAO Yuan and
HU Hao
Modeling China’s
geopolitical
influence in
surrounding areas:
A case study of
South Asia
2014 Progress in
Geography
pp.738-747
6. Methodology
6.1 Research Philosophy
The research philosophy helps in identifying the essence of the research study through
the utilization of effective research paradigm. In this relation, the research will be undertaken
through the application of Positivism philosophy, which will help in identifying the significance
of the geographical location of Pakistan in establishing it as a nuclear power and linking the
chain of Muslim nations. The study will undertake an evaluation of the different scientifically

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proven techniques in order to assess the capabilities of Pakistan based on the geographical
location.
6.2 Research Approach
The current research will be utilizing a deductive approach, which will scrutinize the
available theories and models relating to the strategic geographical location of Pakistan. The data
that will be gathered for the research will be dependent on the assessment of the various models
and frameworks based on the geographical location of the nation and the manner in which it
contributed to the nuclear capability of the nation among the South-East Asian countries.
6.3 Research Design
The research design assists in guiding the study towards the specific goal depending on
the research objectives. As per the case, the current research will be undertaking Explanatory
research design, which will help in describing the cause -effect relationship between the
strategic geographic location of Pakistan and the manner in which it contributed to the
development of the nation among the South- East Asian countries. The explanatory research
design will also help in enriching the study through the enumeration of future forecasts on the
developments that might be undertaken by Pakistan.
6.4 Data collection process and analysis
The data for the research will be collected through the utilization of the secondary data
collection method through thematic analysis, which will help in reviewing different peer
reviewed journals, government reports, blogs and previous research papers. The assessment of
the available models, information relating to geographical position of Pakistan and the recent
developments that are undertaken by the nation relating to nuclear power will help in guiding the

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study towards the favorable outcome. On the other hand, the data that will be gathered through
the assessment of different literatures will help in forecasting the different developments that
might be undertaken by the nation. The secondary data analysis method will guide the research
as per the objectives while ensuring the study of unbiased outcomes.
6.5 Ethical consideration
The ethical considerations for the study will be dependent on the authenticity of the
sources through which data will be retrieved. Authenticity and reliability of the data will help in
establishing the unbiased research outcomes. On the other hand, the research will avoid the case
sensitive information that might offend the interests of Pakistan while developing the study.
7. Structure
The dissertation will follow a coherent and systematic structure where the topic and the
objectives will be discussed in Introduction. The brief introduction to the topic will help in
making the concept and the aim clear and thereby guide the research towards the estimated
outcomes. The broad discussion of the topic will be undertaken in Literature review, where the
evidences of past researches will be presented in order to inspect the different elements of the
research. The Methodology will aim at employing the data collection procedure which will help
the researcher in gathering data from the different reliable sources as per the needs of
undertaking an unbiased study. Findings and analysis section will analyze the data that will be
collected during the research and thereby portray the outcomes of the research through a brief
discussion. Lastly, the conclusion will summarize all the valid points of discussion of the
research in order to provide a brief overview of the complete research.

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Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature review
Chapter 3: Methodology
Chapter 4: Findings and analysis
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Structure
8. Research Time frame
Task Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
Week
9
Selection of topic
and search for
justification
Constructing
literature
Selecting
appropriate

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methods
Data collection
Data analysis and
representation
Reviewing the
outcomes
Conclusions and
recommendations
Submitting draft
of the project
Printing and final
submission
Table 1: Table showing the timeframe of the entire research
(Source: Author)
9. Ethics
Serial
number Questions Yes No
1. I have consulted the ethics documentation located on the
university ethics website
https://ethics.coventry.ac.uk/App/default.aspx

2. I have discussed the ethics of my proposed research with

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my supervisor 
3. I have sought, or will within the next month seek, full
ethical approval for my research project 
10. Help from supervisor
The help of the supervisor will be undertaken for getting an approval for the sources that
will help in supporting the literature. On the other hand, lecturer or the supervisor’s assistance
will be undertaken in order to guide the course of actions while developing the coherent
relationship between the emergence of nuclear power of Pakistan and its geographic position.