The Land of Picturesque Beauty Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit Baltistan is the most spectacular and fascinating region of Pakistan. in terms of its geography and scenic beauty. World’s three mightiest mountain range ‘the Karakoram, the Hindu Kush and the Himalayas’ meet here.

Previously known to the outer world as the Northern Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan is now an autonomous region after the promulgation of Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009 on 9th September, 2009.

Under the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009 ‘Signed by President Asif Ali Zardari on September 7, 2009– the identity of the region was restored by changing the name from ‘Northern Areas’ to ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’. As part of its administrative and legislative decentralization, the offices of Governor, Chief Minister, and Ministers have been created.

Facts
Gilgit-Baltistan is NOT the 5th province of Pakistan.
It was formerly known as the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA).
Gilgit–Baltistan was established as a single administrative unit in 1970.
Gilgit–Baltistan was formed by the amalgamation of the Gilgit Agency, the Baltistan, and the former princely states of Hunza and Nagar.
According to Pakistan’s constitution, Gilgit-Baltistan and its inhabitants have never had any representation in Pakistan’s parliament.

History
The isolation associated with the Karakoram Mountains ensured that Gilgit-Baltistan, developed and preserved its unique history, cultural values and traditional political identity. Over the centuries, the region came under the control of the Durrani Empire of Afghanistan and experienced four centuries of Muslim rule under the Mughals (until 1751) and the Afghan Durranis, who ruled until 1820. Between 1832 and 1860, the region of Gilgit-Baltistan was conquered by the Sikhs and the Dogras who administered the region as part of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir under the tutelage of the British Crown.

Between 1935 and 1947 the territory of Gilgit-Baltistan was given to the British on lease in order to enable them to keep watch on the developments in Xinjiang and Afghanistan.

In 1947 when British rule came to an end  and this beautiful region was briefly handed back to the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently, it came under Pakistani control.

Geography
Gilgit-Baltistan is home to one of the most diverse sociocultural geography in the world. It has rightly been called the Roof of the World, the Wonderland of Asia and the Jewel of Pakistan. The GB region covers an area of 72,971 km² (28,174 km²).

Districts
The territory of Gilgit-Baltistan consists of seven districts. Their detail is as follows:

·     Mountains
Gilgit–Baltistan is home to five of the “eight-thousanders” and to more than fifty peaks above 7,000 metres. Gilgit and Skardu are the two main hubs for expeditions to those mountains.

·    Lakes & Glaciers
Three of the world’s seven longest glaciers outside the Polar Regions are located in Gilgit-Baltistan– the Biafo Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Batura Glacier.

The Siachen Glacier is 75 km. long. The Hispar (53 km) joins the Biafo at the Hispar La (5154.16 meters or 16,910 ft) to form an ice corridor 116.87 km (72 mi) long. The Batura, too, is 58 km in length. The most outstanding of these rivers of ice is the 62 km Baltoro. This large glacier, fed by some 30 tributaries, has a surface area of 1291.39 sq km.

Batura Glacier is one of the largest and longest glaciers outside the polar regions.

The Baltoro Glacier gives rise to the Shigar River, which is a tributary of the Indus River.

The Biafo Glacier is the world’s third longest glacier outside of the polar regions, second only to the 70 km (43 mi) Siachen Glacier disputed between Pakistan and India and Tajikistan’s 77 km (48 mi) long Fedchenko Glacier.

Lakes
There are, in addition, several high-altitude lakes in Gilgit’ Baltistan: Sheosar Lake in the Deosai Plains, Skardu
1.    Satpara Tso Lake in Skardu, Baltistan
2.    Katzura Tso Lake in Skardu, Baltistan
3.    Zharba Tso Lake in Shigar, Baltistan
4.    Phoroq Tso Lake in Skardu, Baltistan
5.    Lake Kharfak in Gangche, Baltistan
6.    Byarsa Tso Lake in Gultari, Baltistan
7.    Borith Lake in Gojal, upper Hunza, Gilgit
8.    Rama Lake near Astore
9.    Rush Lake near Nagar, Gilgit
10.    Kromber Lake at Kromber Pass Ishkoman Valley, Ghizer District
11.    Barodaroksh lake in Bar Valley, Nagar
12.    Khalti Lake Ghizer District

Plains
Deosai Plains is located above the tree line; the second highest plains of the world at 4,115 m (13,500 feet) are in the South of Skardu and in the East of the Astore Valley. The area was declared as a National Park in 1993. The Deosai Plains cover an area of almost 3,000 square kilometers. The plains remain snow-bound for good about six months from November to May.

Facts
Attabad Lake, also known as Gojal Lake, was created in January 2010 by a landslide dam. The landslide killed twenty people and blocked the flow of the Hunza River for five months.

Did You Know?
The Deosai Plains, are located above the tree line and constitute the second-highest plateau in the world at 4,115 meters (14,500 feet)after Tibet. The plateau lies east of Astore, south of Skardu and west of Ladakh.

Minerals
This area is blessed with unlimited and heavy deposits of precious and semi-precious stones and metals, and industrial stones like Ruby, Gold, Topaz, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Epidote, Paragasite, Zircon, Actinolite, Lead, Moonstone, Himalayan Quartz, Emerald, Marble, Granite, Feldspar, Mica, Calcite, Feldspar, Antimony, Graphite, Alum, Coal, Copper, Barite, China Clay etc. It is estimated that almost 95% of the precious and semi-precious stones located in Pakistan are found in Gilgit Baltistan.

Rivers
Khunjerab River – flows south along the Karakoram Highway from the Khunjerab Valley
Nagar River – flows further south and enters the Gilgit River by touching Hunza River to Gilgit
Hunza River – flows further south and enters the Gilgit River just to the northeast of Gilgit town.
Gilgit River – enters the Gilgit District from the west, south of the Bichhar Pass (Naltar Valley), and flows west through Gilgit town.
Indus River – enters the Gilgit District from the Skardu District about six kilometers north of Jaglot, where the Indus River is joined by the Gilgit River. From there, the Indus flows south along the Karakoram Highway.
Some other rivers are Ghujerab River, Shimshal River, Hispar River, Naltar River, Shyok River, Hushe River, and Thalle River.

Mountain Passes
Khunjerab Pass, Mintika Pass, Kilik Pass, Chillingi Pass, Shimshal Pass, Ghujerab Pass, Chapchingal Pass, Chaprot Pass, Naltar Pass, Talmutz Pass, Hayal Pass and Naltar Pass, Bichhar Pass,

Dams (Under Construction and Proposed) Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Bunji Dam, Satpara Dam

Major Casts
The ethnic groups include Shins, Yashkuns, Kashmiris, Kashgaris, Pathans, and Kohistanis. The population of Gilgit-Baltistan is Muslim.

Did You Know?
The majority of the people in Gilgit-Baltistan are Shia with a significant Sunni minority. The Ismailis and Sufia Nurbakhshia are also present in Gilgit’ Baltistan. The Gilgit Division has about 50% each of Shia and Sunni whereas in the Baltistan Division, Shia number about 90% of the population.

Languages
Urdu is the lingua franca of the region. The Shina language, with dialects including Asturjaa, Kharuchaa and Chilasi, is the majority language here, spoken mainly in Gilgit, Astore, throughout Diamer, and in some parts of Ghizer and Baltistan region. The Balti dialect, a sub-dialect of Ladakhi and part of the 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 language of Ghizer. Burushaski is an isolated language spoken in the Hunza, Nagar, Yasin in some parts of Gilgit, and in some villages of Punial. Some people also speak Pashto.

Political System
On the pattern of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Council, a Gilgit-Baltistan Council headed by the Prime Minister has been introduced. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is delegated with the powers of approving budget. The concept of a Consolidated Fund has been introduced and legislative powers of the Assembly have been increased from 49 to 61 subjects, along with powers to legislate on the other subjects not in the domain of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council.

Legislature
The Gilgit–Baltistan Legislative Assembly is a 33-seat unicameral legislative body that was formed as part of the Gilgit–Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009. The GBLA has twenty-four (24) directly-elected members, six women and three technocrats’. It has the powers to make laws on sixty-one subjects.

Judiciary
The Gilgit’ Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009 says that the Chief Judge of the Supreme Appellate Court would be appointed by the Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council on the advice of the Governor. Other Judges shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Council on the advice of Governor after seeking views of the Chief Judge. It also says that the number of Judges would be increased from three to five.

Gilgit-Baltistan Council      
(1)     Gilgit-Baltistan Council consisting of
(a)     The Prime Minister of Pakistan;
(b)     The Governor;
( c)    Six members nominated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan from time to time from amongst Federal Ministers and members of Parliament:
Provided that the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan shall be an ex officio member and Minister Incharge of the Council:
(d)      The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan;
(e)    Six members to be elected by the Assembly in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transfer able vote.
(2)       The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the Chairman of the Council.
(3)       The Governor is the Vice-Chairman of the Council.
(4)      The Minister of State for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan is an ex officio non-voting member of the Council.

Places to Visit

District Astore
Some prominent valleys in Astore are Rama, Gorikot, Rehmanpur, Rattu. Bunji, Dashkin and Chilim. Of particular note in the District are Parbat (Rupal Face) and Rama Lake.
Diamer District
Some important places here are Tangir, Darel, Chiias, Bunar Das, Gonar Farm and Raikot. Moreover, Nanga Parbat, Raikot Face and Fairy Meadows also bewitch the visitor.
Gilgit District
Naltar is picturesque grassland surrounded by high peaks with accessible glacial lakes. Near to Gilgit there is the Kargah Buddha, a rock-wall carved Buddha dating back to the 8th century AD.
Ghizer District
The most beautiful place here is Punial that is a former kingdom and Sherqilla. The Ishkoman valley is another beautiful region in Ghizer. Another attraction here is Shandur Pass that is famous for its annual polo tournament and gala.
Hunza /Nagar District
This district comprises the valleys of Hunza and Nagar. Of particular interest in this district is the Balti Fort, a 700-year-old building, made of mud, rocks and wood.  In the Upper Hunza or Gojal area, the high mountain of Khunjerab captivates the beholders by its beauty and might.
Skardu District
The places of particular interest in Skardu are Khorpocho Fort, Manthal Rock (Buddhist carving), Sadpara and Kachura Lakes and the Shigar valley.
Ghanche District
Khaplu Palace and Chaqchan Mosque are the interesting places to visit in Ghanche. Another attraction is the Ghondoghoro Pass at 5,650 m.