The Pothohar Plateau is a rugged, ancient landscape that fuels Pakistan's modern energy needs.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Tucked between the Indus and Jhelum rivers, the Pothohar Plateau is a high-altitude tableland defined by deep ravines and Ice Age remnants. While its challenging terrain makes traditional irrigation difficult, this region serves as the historic heart of Pakistan, housing both the ancient city of Taxila and the modern capital, Islamabad.

The Pothohar Plateau, spanning approximately 5,000 square miles in Pakistan's Punjab province, is a landscape shaped by constant erosion and geological history. Its elevation typically ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, characterized by residual hills formed from glacial debris. The region is bounded by the Indus and Jhelum rivers, with the Salt Range to the south and the Kala Chitta Range and Margalla Hills to the north. These geographic features create a complex environment where rivers like the Soan and Haro have carved deep, dissected ravines, rendering them largely unsuitable for standard irrigation.

Agriculture in the Pothohar remains heavily dependent on annual rainfall, which averages between 15 and 20 inches. Despite these constraints, the plateau is one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Farmers cultivate crops such as wheat, barley, sorghum, and legumes, while more fertile zones near the Indus support tobacco, melons, and onions. Beyond its agricultural output, the plateau is vital to Pakistan's economy as the site of the nation's major oil fields. Exploration began in the early 20th century, with the Khaur field discovered in 1915 and the Dhulian field in 1935, followed by the Tut field in 1968.

The region holds immense historical significance, evidenced by the discovery of extinct ape fossils and early human tools from the Soanian culture. Taxila, a pivotal junction of ancient trade routes, was a center of learning first mentioned in the Rigveda around 1200 BCE. Over centuries, it was controlled by various powers, including the Achaemenids, Mauryas, and Kushans, before its destruction in the 5th century. Today, the plateau balances this deep historical legacy with its role as the home of Islamabad, the national capital established in 1961, and the bustling city of Rawalpindi.

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