Tectonostratigraphic Relationships of Arabian Plate with Precambrian Basins of Pakistan

Summary In our new litho-stratigraphic scheme for Salt Range Formation, Hanseran Evaporite is overlain by Multan Sandstone and Dolomite member which is further covered by Multan Evaporite member and then Upper Carbonate and Dolomite member. This litho-stratigraphic scheme works well to understand the Precambrian Petroleum Systems and Structural Styles of Central Indus Basin. However, a proper litho-stratigraphic breakdown of Salt Range Formation is very difficult in highly deformed fold and thrust belts of Upper Indus Basin as these are so much complex because of the involvement of Precambrian Salt during different phases of compression and also due to the absence of any well where basement is even scratched. Moreover, Precambrian low grade metamorphic rocks and meta-sediments are present in the Northern Sector of Axial Belt in Pakistan; We propose that this Precambrian sequence is Paleogeographically related with Precambrian Shelf Carbonates and Turbidites of Proto-Tethys Ocean as shown in Figure-1b while present day location of the basins which hosted this Precambrian Sequence is shown in Figure-1c and Figure-1d . Precambrian Carbonates with subordinate Clastics and Igneous Intrusions are present in Attock Cherat Range while Precambrian Turbidites are present in Hazara Basin as Hazara Slates and in Attock Cherat Range as Attock Slates.