Here we present the stratigraphic architecture and carbonate platform evolution of the Middle Permian (Capitanian) succession (Wargal Formation) of Trans-Indus Ranges, central Pakistan. The exposed carbonate sequence consists of thin- to thick-bedded bioclastic, nodular, fine-grained, and sandy limestone. Based on detailed petrographic studies, seven microfacies assemblages have been recognized, suggesting diverse depositional environments including mudflats, lagoon, sand shoal, and middle shelf. The identified age-diagnostic larger benthic foraminiferal species enabled to assign a Middle Permian (Capitanian) age to the studied section of the Wargal Formation. Based on the vertical arrangements of depositional environments in time, three Transgressive Systems Tracts (TSTs), two Regressive Systems Tracts (RSTs), and 11 high-resolution fourth/fifth-order parasequences were delineated. The depositional and sequence stratigraphic analyses of the studied section inferred evolution of the Middle Permian carbonate platform in three stages: (i) marginal marine facies development in the lower part followed by (ii) transitional stage in the middle part, and (iii) finally, aggrading shallow marine facies stage in the upper part. The evolution of carbonate platform can be linked with the cessation of major rifting followed by thermal cooling and establishment of marine Tethyan settings at the margin of the rift flank basin. The diverse facies variation in the second stage of platform evolution argues strongly for the local intra-plate stresses. Based on petrographic, SEM, and EDS studies, it is concluded that the studied section of Wargal Formation carries porosity values from a range of 2–8% with an average of 5% and can be called a low to moderate hydrocarbon reservoir in the study area.

中文翻译：

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巴基斯坦中部新特提斯边缘盆地中二叠世（卡皮塔阶）碳酸盐岩台地演化与地层构造

在这里，我们介绍了巴基斯坦中部跨印度河流域的中二叠纪（卡皮塔阶）序列（Wargal 组）的地层结构和碳酸盐台地演化。出露的碳酸盐岩层序由薄层到厚层的生物碎屑、结节状、细粒状和砂质灰岩组成。根据详细的岩石学研究，已识别出七个微相组合，表明沉积环境多种多样，包括泥滩、泻湖、沙洲和中陆架。确定的年龄诊断较大的底栖有孔虫物种能够将中二叠纪（Capitanian）年龄分配给 Wargal 地层的研究部分。根据沉积环境在时间上的垂直排列，三个海侵系统域（TSTs），两个海进系统域（RSTs），并描绘了 11 个高分辨率四/五阶准序列。研究剖面的沉积和层序地层分析推断中二叠统碳酸盐岩台地演化分三个阶段：(i) 下部边缘海相发育，然后 (ii) 中部过渡阶段，(iii) 最后, 上部为浅海相阶段。碳酸盐台地的演化可以与大裂谷的停止以及裂谷侧翼盆地边缘的热冷却和海相特提斯环境的建立有关。台地演化第二阶段的不同相变化强烈支持局部板内应力。基于岩相学、SEM 和 EDS 研究，