Pakistan sits at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East — which means its borders are among the most geopolitically loaded on earth. This guide covers all four neighbours: the lengths, the crossings, and the disputes.
Quick answer: Pakistan borders India (~2,912 km, east), Afghanistan (~2,640 km Durand Line, west), Iran (~909 km, southwest) and China (~596 km, north) — plus a 1,046 km Arabian Sea coastline. The Durand Line and Kashmir’s Line of Control are disputed.
In this guide
India (East, ~2,912 km)
The most consequential border: the Radcliffe Line in Punjab and Sindh, and the Line of Control in Kashmir — the de facto border since 1972, and one of the world’s most militarised frontiers. The Wagah-Attari crossing near Lahore is the famous ceremonial gate; trade has been suspended for years. Three wars (1947, 1965, 1971) and the Kargil conflict (1999) were fought over this frontier.
Afghanistan (West, ~2,640 km)
The Durand Line (1893) — drawn by the British, never accepted by any Afghan government, but treated by Pakistan as the international border. The Khyber Pass near Peshawar and Chaman near Quetta are the historic crossings. Pakistan has fenced most of the border; cross-border militancy keeps it tense.
Iran & China
Iran (~909 km): the Balochistan frontier — generally peaceful, with the Taftan crossing for trade and pilgrims (zaireen) heading to Iraq/Iran. China (~596 km): the Karakoram frontier — Pakistan’s warmest border, crossed by the Karakoram Highway via the Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), the highest paved border crossing in the world and CPEC’s gateway.
Key Crossings
- Wagah-Attari — India (ceremonial, limited movement)
- Torkham / Khyber Pass — Afghanistan (main trade artery)
- Chaman — Afghanistan (Balochistan)
- Taftan — Iran (trade + pilgrims)
- Khunjerab — China (Karakoram Highway, seasonal)
The Disputes, Plainly Stated
Two of the four borders are disputed: Kashmir — India and Pakistan both claim the former princely state in full and control parts (the LoC divides them); the UN promised a plebiscite that never happened. The Durand Line — Afghanistan has never formally accepted the 1893 British-drawn border, though Pakistan treats it as settled and has fenced most of it. Sir Creek (the marshy border with India in the southeast) is a smaller, technical dispute over the maritime boundary. These aren’t footnotes — they define Pakistan’s foreign policy.
The Disputes, Plainly Stated
Two of the four borders are disputed: Kashmir — India and Pakistan both claim the former princely state in full and control parts (the LoC divides them); the UN promised a plebiscite that never happened. The Durand Line — Afghanistan has never formally accepted the 1893 British-drawn border, though Pakistan treats it as settled and has fenced most of it. Sir Creek (the marshy border with India in the southeast) is a smaller, technical dispute over the maritime boundary. These aren’t footnotes — they define Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries border Pakistan?
Four land neighbours — India, Afghanistan, Iran and China — plus the Arabian Sea to the south.
Which is Pakistan’s longest border?
India at ~2,912 km (including the Line of Control), followed closely by Afghanistan’s ~2,640 km Durand Line.
