Gilgit-Baltistan: Difference between revisions
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The '''Northern Areas''' ([[Urdu]]: {{nastaliq|شمالی علاقہ جات}}, ''{{transl|ur|Shumālī Ilāqe Jāt}}'') officially referred to by the government of [[Pakistan]] as '''Gilgit Baltistan'''.<ref>[http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85033&Itemid=2 "Cabinet approves ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009’"] 29 August 2009 ''Associated Press of Pakistan''</ref>, is an autonomous region in northern Pakistan. It is the northernmost political entity within the Pakistani-controlled part of the former [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|princely state of Jammu and Kashmir]]. It borders [[Afghanistan]] to the north, [[China]] to the northeast, the Pakistani administrated state of [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]] (AJK) to the south, and the [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir]] to the southeast. The area became a single administrative unit in 1970 under the name "Northern Areas", formed from the amalgamation of the [[Gilgit Agency]], the [[Baltistan|Baltistan District]] of the Ladakh Wazarat, and the states of [[Hunza (princely state)|Hunza]] and [[Nagar (princely state)|Nagar]]. With its administrative center at the town of [[Gilgit]], Gilgit Baltistan covers an area of 72,971 km² (28,174 mi²) and has an estimated population approaching 1,000,000. This area is part of the larger [[Kashmir conflict|disputed territory]] of [[Kashmir]] between India, Pakistan and China. |
The '''Northern Areas''' ([[Urdu]]: {{nastaliq|شمالی علاقہ جات}}, ''{{transl|ur|Shumālī Ilāqe Jāt}}'') officially referred to by the government of [[Pakistan]] as '''Gilgit Baltistan'''.<ref>[http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85033&Itemid=2 "Cabinet approves ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009’"] 29 August 2009 ''Associated Press of Pakistan''</ref>, is an autonomous region in northern Pakistan. It is the northernmost political entity within the Pakistani-controlled part of the former [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|princely state of Jammu and Kashmir]]. It borders [[Afghanistan]] to the north, [[China]] to the northeast, the Pakistani administrated state of [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]] (AJK) to the south, and the [[Jammu and Kashmir|Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir]] to the southeast. The area became a single administrative unit in 1970 under the name "Northern Areas", formed from the amalgamation of the [[Gilgit Agency]], the [[Baltistan|Baltistan District]] of the Ladakh Wazarat, and the states of [[Hunza (princely state)|Hunza]] and [[Nagar (princely state)|Nagar]]. With its administrative center at the town of [[Gilgit]], Gilgit Baltistan covers an area of 72,971 km² (28,174 mi²) and has an estimated population approaching 1,000,000. This area is part of the larger [[Kashmir conflict|disputed territory]] of [[Kashmir]] between India, Pakistan and China. [[Northern Areas]] is now given a new name [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] and given their fundemental rights after 63 years, [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] now the people in this area can select their own members for National Assembely and can also take active part in the national affairs. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Before the independence of [[Pakistan]] and the [[partition of India]] in 1947, [[Maharaja]] [[Hari Singh]] extended his rule to [[Gilgit Agency|Gilgit]] and [[Baltistan]]. After the partition, [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], in its entirety, remained an independent state. The Pakistani parts of Kashmir to the north and west of the cease-fire line established at the end of the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]], or the [[Line of Control]] as it later came to be called, were divided into the Northern Areas (72,971 km²) in the north and the Pakistani state of [[Azad Kashmir]] (13,297 km²) in the south. The name "Northern Areas" was first used by the [[United Nations]], to refer to the northern areas of Kashmir. A small part of the Northern Areas, the [[Trans-Karakoram Tract|Shaksgam tract]], was provisionally ceded by Pakistan to the People's Republic of China in 1963. |
Before the independence of [[Pakistan]] and the [[partition of India]] in 1947, [[Maharaja]] [[Hari Singh]] extended his rule to [[Gilgit Agency|Gilgit]] and [[Baltistan]]. After the partition, [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], in its entirety, remained an independent state. The Pakistani parts of Kashmir to the north and west of the cease-fire line established at the end of the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947]], or the [[Line of Control]] as it later came to be called, were divided into the Northern Areas (72,971 km²) in the north and the Pakistani state of [[Azad Kashmir]] (13,297 km²) in the south. The name "Northern Areas" was first used by the [[United Nations]], to refer to the northern areas of Kashmir. A small part of the Northern Areas, the [[Trans-Karakoram Tract|Shaksgam tract]], was provisionally ceded by Pakistan to the People's Republic of China in 1963. |
Revision as of 00:08, 5 September 2009
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2009) |
The Northern Areas (Urdu: شمالی علاقہ جات, Shumālī Ilāqe Jāt) officially referred to by the government of Pakistan as Gilgit Baltistan.[1], is an autonomous region in northern Pakistan. It is the northernmost political entity within the Pakistani-controlled part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It borders Afghanistan to the north, China to the northeast, the Pakistani administrated state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to the south, and the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir to the southeast. The area became a single administrative unit in 1970 under the name "Northern Areas", formed from the amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, the Baltistan District of the Ladakh Wazarat, and the states of Hunza and Nagar. With its administrative center at the town of Gilgit, Gilgit Baltistan covers an area of 72,971 km² (28,174 mi²) and has an estimated population approaching 1,000,000. This area is part of the larger disputed territory of Kashmir between India, Pakistan and China. Northern Areas is now given a new name Gilgit-Baltistan and given their fundemental rights after 63 years, Gilgit-Baltistan now the people in this area can select their own members for National Assembely and can also take active part in the national affairs.
History
Before the independence of Pakistan and the partition of India in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh extended his rule to Gilgit and Baltistan. After the partition, Jammu and Kashmir, in its entirety, remained an independent state. The Pakistani parts of Kashmir to the north and west of the cease-fire line established at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, or the Line of Control as it later came to be called, were divided into the Northern Areas (72,971 km²) in the north and the Pakistani state of Azad Kashmir (13,297 km²) in the south. The name "Northern Areas" was first used by the United Nations, to refer to the northern areas of Kashmir. A small part of the Northern Areas, the Shaksgam tract, was provisionally ceded by Pakistan to the People's Republic of China in 1963.
The local Northern Light Infantry is the army unit that was believed to have assisted and possibly participated in the 1999 Kargil conflict. More than 500 soldiers are believed to have been killed and buried in the Northern Areas in that action.[2] Lalak Jan, a soldier from Yasin Valley, was awarded Pakistan's most prestigious medal, the Nishan-e-Haider, for his courageous actions during the Kargil conflict.
On 29 August, 2009, Pakistan officially granted full autonomy to the former Northern Areas. Ending their struggle for autonomy since 1947. Furthermore, the name of the Northern Areas was changed to "Gilgit Baltistan".[3]
See also Kashmir conflict
Subdivisions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Northern_Areas_Pakistan.svg/300px-Northern_Areas_Pakistan.svg.png)
Gilgit Baltistan is administratively divided into two divisions which, in turn, are divided into seven districts,[4] including the two Baltistan districts of Skardu and Ghanche, and the five Gilgit districts of Gilgit, Ghizer, Diamer, Astore, and Hunza-Nagar. The main political centres are the towns of Gilgit and Skardu.
Division | District | Area (km²) | Population (1998) | Headquarters |
---|---|---|---|---|
Baltistan | Ghanche | 9,400 | 88,366 | Khaplu |
Skardu | 18,000 | 214,848 | Skardu | |
Gilgit | Astore | 8,657 | 71,666 | Gorikot |
Diamir | 10,936 | 131,925 | Chilas | |
Ghizar | 9,635 | 120,218 | Gahkuch | |
Gilgit | 21,300 (previous area) | 243,324 (previous pop.) | Gilgit | |
Hunza-Nagar | 18,000 | 140,000 | Aliabad | |
FANA total | 7 districts | 72,971 | 970,347 | Gilgit |
Geography
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/K2_8611.jpg/220px-K2_8611.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/SatparaLakeSkardu1215.jpg/220px-SatparaLakeSkardu1215.jpg)
Gilgit Baltistan borders the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan to the northwest, China's Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang to the northeast, the Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir to the south and southeast, the Pakistani-controlled state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to the south, and Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province to the west.
Until the war in North-West Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan was a major destination for foreign tourists, especially serious mountaineers, because it is home to five of the "eight-thousanders" and to more than fifty peaks above 7000 meters. Gilgit and Skardu are the two main hubs for all expeditions to those mountains. The region is home to some of the world's highest mountain ranges—the main ranges are the Karakoram and the western Himalayas. The Pamir mountains are to the north, and the Hindu Kush lies to the west. Amongst the highest mountains are K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) and Nanga Parbat, the latter being one of the most feared mountains in the world.
Three of the world's longest glaciers outside the polar regions are found in Gilgit Baltistan — the Biafo Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Batura Glacier. There are, in addition, several high-altitude lakes in Gilgit Baltistan:
- Sheotsar Tso Lake in Byarsa Thang/Deosai Plains - Baltistan
- Satpara Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan
- Katzura Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan
- Zharba Tso Lake in Shigar - Baltistan
- Phoroq Tso Lake in Skardu - Baltistan
- Bara Tso Lake in Gangche - Baltistan
- Byarsa Tso Lake in Gultari - Baltistan
- Borith Lake in upper Hunza - Gilgit
- Rama Lake near Astore - Gilgit
- Rush Lake near Nagar - Gilgit
- Kromber Lake In Kromber Pass - Gilgit
The Deosai Plains, called Byarsa in Baltistan, are located above the tree line, and constitute the second-highest plateau in the world at 4,115 meters (14,500 feet). The plateau lies south of Skardu and west of Ladakh. The area was declared to be a national park in 1993. The Deosai Plains cover an area of almost 5,000 square kilometres. For over half the year (between September and May), Deosai is snow-bound and cut off from rest of Baltistan. The villages of Byarsa/Deosai are connected with the Kargil district of Ladakh through an all-weather road, but due to the closure of the border with the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Byarsa and Gultari are stranded for the winter months and are, therefore, not able to take advantage of the economic resources of Ladakh during that time.
Climate
The climate of Gilgit Baltistan varies from region to region, surrounding mountain ranges creates sharp variations in weather. The eastern part has a moist zone of western Himalayas but going toward Karakoram and Hindu Kush the climate dries considerably.[5]
There are towns like Gilgit and Chilas that are very hot during the day in summer, yet cold at night, and valleys like Astore, Khaplu, Yasin, Hunza, and Nagar where the temperatures are cold even in summer.
Sports
Polo is the favourite game of the people of Gilgit, Chilas, Astore, Hunza, and the surrounding areas.[citation needed] Every year, many tourists visit to enjoy polo in Gilgit Baltistan.[citation needed] Other games such as cricket, gulli danda, kabbadi, and volleyball are also played.
Rock art and petroglyphs
There are more than 20,000 pieces of rock art and petroglyphs all along the Karakoram Highway in Gilgit Baltistan, concentrated at ten major sites between Hunza and Shatial. The carvings were left by various invaders, traders, and pilgrims who passed along the trade route, as well as by locals. The earliest date back to between 5000 and 1000 BCE, showing single animals, triangular men and hunting scenes in which the animals are larger than the hunters. These carvings were pecked into the rock with stone tools and are covered with a thick patina that proves their age. The archaeologist Karl Jettmar has pieced together the history of the area from various inscriptions and recorded his findings in Rock Carvings and Inscriptions in the Northern Areas of Pakistan[6] and the later released Between Gandhara and the Silk Roads - Rock Carvings Along the Karakoram Highway[7].
Transport
Prior to 1978, Gilgit Baltistan was cut off from Pakistan due to the harsh terrain and the lack of accessible roads. All of the roads to the south opened towards the Pakistani-controlled state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AKJ) and to the southeast towards the present-day Indian-controlled state of Jammu and Kashmir. During the summer, people could walk across the mountain passes to travel to Rawalpindi. The fastest way to travel, however, was by air, but air travel was accessible only to a few privileged local people and to Pakistani military and civilian officials. Then, with the assistance of the Chinese government, Pakistan began construction of the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which was completed in 1978. The Karakoram Highway (KKH) connects Islamabad to Gilgit and Skardu, which are the two major hubs for mountaineering expeditions in Gilgit Baltistan. The journey from Islamabad to Gilgit takes approximately 20 to 24 hours. Landslides on the Karakoram Highway are very common. The KKH connects Gilgit to Taxkorgan [disambiguation needed] and Kashgar in China via Sust (the customs and health inspection post on the Northern Areas side) and the Khunjerab Pass, the highest paved international border crossing in the world at 4,693 metres (15,397 feet).
Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) offers bus and jeep transport service to the two hubs and several other popular destinations, lakes, and glaciers in the area.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/KKH.png/220px-KKH.png)
In March 2006, the respective governments announced that, commencing on June 1, 2006, a thrice-weekly bus service would begin across the boundary from Gilgit to Kashgar, China, and road widening work would begin on 600 kilometres of the Karakoram Highway. There would also be one daily bus in each direction between the Sust and Taxkorgan [disambiguation needed] border areas of the two political entities. [8]
Pakistan International Airlines used to fly a Fokker F27 aircraft daily between Gilgit Airport and Islamabad International Airport. The flying time was approximately 50 minutes, and the flight was one of the most scenic flights in the world, as its route passes over the mountain Nanga Parbat, the peak of which was higher than the aircraft's cruising altitude. PIA also offers regular flights of Boeing 737 between Skardu and Islamabad. However, the Fokker F27 aircraft was retired after a crash at Multan in 2006. Currently, flights are being operated by PIA to Gilgit on the brand-new ATR42-500 aircraft, which was purchased in 2006. With the new plane, the cancellation of flights is much less than it was the Fokker aircraft. All flights, however, are subject to weather clearance, and, in winter, flights are often delayed by several days.
Demographics
The population consists of many diverse linguistic, ethnic, and religious groups, due in part to the many isolated valleys separated by some of the world's highest mountains. Urdu is the lingua franca of the region, understood by most male inhabitants. The Shina language (with several dialects) is the language of 40% of the population, spoken mainly in Gilgit, throughout Diamer, and in some parts of Ghizer. The Balti dialect, a sub-dialect of Ladakhi and part of Tibetan language group, is spoken by the entire population of Baltistan. Minor languages spoken in the region include Wakhi, spoken in upper Hunza, and in some villages in Ghizer, while Khowar is the major language of Ghizer. Burushaski is an isolated language spoken in Hunza, Nagar, Yasin (where Khowar is also spoken), in some parts of Gilgit and in some villages of Punyal. Another interesting language is Domaaki, spoken by the musician clans in the region. A small minority of people also speak Pashto. People who live in Gilgit Baltistan, despite that region's being referred to as part of Kashmir, do not speak Kashmiri or any of its dialects.[citation needed]
At the last census (1998), the population of Gilgit Baltistan was 870,347. [9] Approximately 14% of the population was urban.[10]
See also
- Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement
- Karakoram
- Karakoram Highway
- Indus River
- List of mountains in Pakistan
- Kargil War
- Gorikot
- Northern Light Infantry
- List of Jammu and Kashmir related articles
- Glacier growing
- Yugo Baltistan
- Skardu
- Ghanche
References
- ^ "Cabinet approves ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self Governance Order 2009’" 29 August 2009 Associated Press of Pakistan
- ^ [1] Special Report on Kargil"] The Herald (Pakistan)
- ^ Kuna (29 August 2009) "Pakistan grants full autonomy to northern areas" Muslim World News at TwoCircles.net
- ^ "Wrangling over new Astore district headquarters". Dawn Newspaper Internet Edition. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ^ WWF Pakistan. "Climate of Northern Areas". WWF Pakistan. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
- ^ Rock Carvings and Inscriptions along the Karakorum Highway (Pakistan) - - a brief introduction
- ^ BETWEEN GANDHARA AND THE SILK ROADS
- ^ "Kashgar-Gilgit bus service planned". Dawn Newspaper Internet Edition. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ^ "Administrative Division and Population of the Northern Areas (1998)". Northern Areas Management Information System. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ^ "Population, poverty and environment" (PDF). Northern Areas Strategy for Sustainable Development. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
Further reading
- Pakistan Trekking Guide, by Isobel and Ben Shaw, 1993.
- Raman, Anita D (2004). "Of Rivers and Human Rights: The Northern Areas, Pakistan's Forgotten Colony in Jammu and Kashmir". International Journal on Minority and Group Rights. 11: 187–228. doi:10.1163/1571811041631272.
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