Geology of Northern Sulaiman Foldbelt, Shirani and Waziristan Regions (South Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): New Tomistominae (Miocene False Gharial) from Sakhi Sarwar Area of Dera Ghazi Khan (South Punjab), Pakistan

Abstract

Northern Koh Sulaiman foldbelt, Shirani, North and South Waziristan (South Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) comprised mostly PermoTrias-sic to Recent sediments with subordinate igneous and metamorphic rocks. These sedimentary strata folded and faulted by geodynamic and tectonic forces occurred during Late Cretaceous to Recent revealed through anticlinal and synclinal foldings and active faultings. The Northern Koh Sulaiman foldbelt, Shirani, North and South Waziristan areas host many economic minerals like copper and chromite, construction stones, marble limestones, gypsum and cement resources, uranium and other radioactive mineral resources, low-quality iron, phosphate and muddy coal, high-quality gemstones, petroleum potential and excellent water resources and many other rocks and minerals. High-quality sum and shale/clays available mostly on same sites) which vitally need to install many cement industries in these areas because the ideal central location and now only one cement industry (Dera Ghazi Khan cement industry) is in operation. The Northern Koh Sulaiman foldbelt, Shirani, North and South Waziristan consists of excellent surface water resources which need the construction of smaller and medium-sized dams on different rud kohi/streams/rivers for the development of the area. Sakhi Sarwar area of Dera Ghazi Khan (South Punjab) yielded fossil of new Tomistominae (False Gharial) Gavialidae and further its surroundings recently yielded fossils of famous vertebrates like reptiles (dinosaurs, crocodiles, pterosaur and snake), birds and mammals, and tracks/trackways of Late Cretaceous archosaurs like Sauropaonia, Ornithopaonia and Pteropaonia. Ishkuman Chalt (Hunza Hispar valley, Panmah, Shigor, Hushe and Machelu ophiolitic mélanges. Raskoh Suture arc trench gap and host Raskoh ophiolitic complex which obducted at the early subduction of Arabian Sea plate into Balochistan basin of Tethys. Washuk Suture 2 nd arc trench gap and Washuk ophiolitic complex which obducted at the later phase by shifting of arc trench gap southward.