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{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gilgit-Baltistan
| official_name = Gilgit-Baltistān
| native_name = {{Nastaliq| گلگت - بلتستان}}
| native_name_lang = ur
| type = [[Administrative units of Pakistan|Administrative Unit]]
| image_skyline = Beautiful Landscape, Gilgit, Pakistan.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Biafo Glacier]], [[Gilgit]], Pakistan.
| image_flag = Flag of Gilgit-Baltistan.svg
| image_seal = Gilgit Baltistan Government Logo.svg
| flag_alt =
| nickname =
| image_map = Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan (de-facto + Glacier) (disputed hatched) (claims hatched).svg
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Gilgit-Baltistan, disputed (red) and (white), with [[Siachen Glacier]] (1949-1984)
| image_map1 = Gilgit Baltistan Location Map.svg
| coordinates = {{coord}}
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = [[Pakistan]]
| subdivision_type1 =
| subdivision_name1 =
| parts_style = para
| parts_type = Largest city
| p1 = Gilgit
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 1 July 1970
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = [[Gilgit]]
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Languages|Main Language(s)]]
| blank_info_sec1 = {{unbulleted list|[[Urdu]] (National & Official)|[[Shina language|Shina]]|[[Burushaski]]|[[Balti dialect|Balti Tibetan]]|[[Wakhi language|Wakhi]]|[[Khowar language|Khowar]]}}
| blank_name_sec2 = Assembly seats
| blank_info_sec2 = 33<ref>{{cite web |title=Gilgit Baltistan: New Pakistani Package or Governor Rule |url=https://www.unpo.org/content/view/10003/236 |accessdate=1 March 2022 |date=2009-09-03 |quote=Legislative Assembly will have directly elected 24 members, besides six women and three technocrats.}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Districts of Gilgit–Baltistan|Districts]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = 10
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[Town]]s
| blank2_info_sec2 =
| blank3_name_sec2 = [[Union Councils of Pakistan|Union Councils]]
| blank3_info_sec2 =
| government_footnotes =
| government_type = Self-governing [[Administrative units of Pakistan|territory of Pakistan]]
| governing_body = Legislative Assembly
| leader_party =
| leader_title = [[List of Governors of Pakistan|Governor]]
| leader_name = Mir Gazanfar Ali<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/309838-Mir-Ghazanfar-Ali-sworn-in-as-Governor-GilgitBalt|title=Mir Ghazanfar Ali sworn in as Governor Gilgit-Baltistan|date=2015-11-24}}</ref>
| leader_title1 = [[List of Chief Ministers in Pakistan|Chief Minister]]
| leader_name1 = [[Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1190910 |title=Profile: The new GB chief |author=Khan, M. I. |date= 28 June 2015|work=Dawn |publisher= |accessdate=21 February 2016}}</ref>
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 72,971 / 64,817
| area_note =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 1,800,000
| population_as_of = 2008; est.
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| timezone1 = [[Time in Pakistan|PKT]]
| utc_offset1 = +5
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type =
| area_code =
| iso_code = PK-NA
| website = [http://gilgitbaltistan.gov.pk/ gilgitbaltistan.gov.pk]
| footnotes =
}}

'''Gilgit Baltistan''' ({{lang-ur|گلگت بلتستان}}), previously known as the '''Northern Areas''', is the northern-most autonomous territory of Pakistan. In terms of land area it is bigger than [[Sierra Leone]] but smaller than [[Panama]]. It was part of the former [[Princely state]] of [[Kashmir and Jammu]] in 1800s<ref>{{Cite book|title=History of Civilizations of Central Asia|last1=Dani|first1=Ahmad H|last2=Mikhaĭlovich Masson|first2=Vadim|publisher=UNESCO|year=2003|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> and later leased to British<ref>{{Cite book|title=Nation, Territory, and Globalization in Pakistan: Traversing the Margins|last=Haines|first=Chad|publisher=2013|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> eventually liberated after a planned liberation movement led by Gilgit Scouts.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Seeing through the state: Representation and rule in the northern areas of Pakistan|last=Nosheen|first=K. Ali|publisher=Cornell University|isbn=|location=|pages=56}}</ref>

It borders Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the south [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] in southeast where KPK province of Pakistan to the west, and internationally borders [[Afghanistan]] to the north, although [[Tajikistan]] is separated by fourteen kilometres via [[Wakhan Corridor]], the [[People's Republic of China]] to the northeast.

Gilgit Baltistan, which became a single administrative unit in [[1970]], was formed from the amalgamation of the [[Gilgit Agency]], the [[Baltistan District]] of the [[Ladakh|Ladakh Wazarat]], and the states of [[Hunza (princely state)|Hunza]] and [[Nagar (princely state)|Nagar]]. Gilgit Baltistan remains part of the Kashmir dispute. The [[Government of Pakistan]] since Independence regards the entire area of Jammu and Kashmir as "territory in dispute" to be resolved by a [[plebiscite]] to be held throughout the former state in order to determine the area's final accession to either India or merger with Pakistan. Gilgit Baltistan is governed by a Governor and a Chief minister, the latter elected by a legislative assembly. Gilgit Baltistan covers 64,817 [[square kilometre|km²]] (28,174 [[square mile|mi²]]).

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-bottom:10px; float:right;"
|+'''Gilgit–Baltistan Region Symbols'''
! Title
! Symbol
! Image
|-
| '''Provincial animal'''
| [[Tartary ox]] || [[Image:Close to Naltar Lake - Pakistan.jpg|frameless|upright=.50]]
|-
| '''Provincial bird'''
| [[Shaheen falcon]] || [[Image:Shaheen Falcon DSC5640.jpg|frameless|upright=.50]]
|-
| '''Provincial flower'''
| [[Wild Himalayan apricot]] || [[Image:Apricot tree flowers.jpg|frameless|upright=.50]]
|-
| '''Provincial tree'''
| [[Himalayan Deodar Cedar]]|| [[Image:Gol National Park, Chitral, KPK, Pakistan (35220554743).jpg|frameless|upright=.50]]
|}

== History ==
'''Gilgit Baltistan''' historically belonged to the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Soon after the [[partition of India]] in 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] signed the Instrument of Accession, thereby acceding to the Indian Union. Hence, whole Kashmir is legitimately an inherent part of [[India]]. This territory has been under Pakistan’s unlawful control ever since the Pakistan Army orchestrated the tribal invasion of the territory in October 1947.

==Baltistan==
The regions of [[Baltistan]], and [[Ladakh]] (including [[Kargil District|Kargil]]) and [[Chitral District|Chitral]] are also considered to be a part of Balawaristan by nationalist parties of Gilgit. The peoples' do not consider areas of [[Gilgit]] and [[Baltistan]] to be legally or constitutionally part of Pakistan or India. Nor do they regard neighboring regions of [[Ladakh wazarat]] to be legitimately part of India or Pakistan. They demand freedom not just for regions within Pakistan, but also Indian held areas.<ref>{{cite web|author=Naxal Watch |url=http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2008/06/balawaristan-bnf-chief-abdul-hamid.html?m=1 |title=IntelliBriefs: Balawaristan: BNF Chief Abdul Hamid Speech to a Historic Gathering |publisher=Intellibriefs.blogspot.com |date=2008-06-10 |accessdate=2012-05-31}}</ref> They also assert that as per UNCIP resolutions, (Pakistan and India) must withdraw their occupational armed forces and handover the control of the disputed region to the people of Gilgit Baltistan, under the supervision of the [[United Nations]], until a final settlement of the whole [[Jammu and Kashmir]] issue is reached, as per a United Nations sponsored plebiscite that would be held in both Pakistan and [[Indian-administered Kashmir]]."<ref name="Sify20110223">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/news/pakistan-has-no-right-to-discuss-gilgit-baltistan-in-its-parliament-bnf-chief-news-international-lcxvOedhhdh.html|title=Pakistan has no right to discuss Gilgit-Baltistan in its parliament: BNF chief|date=23 February 2011|work=Sify.com|accessdate=13 March 2011}}</ref>

==Semi-autonomous status and present-day Gilgit-Baltistan==
On 29 August 2009, the ''Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009'', was passed by the Pakistani cabinet and later signed by the country's President. The order granted self-rule to the people of the former Northern Areas, now renamed ''Gilgit-Baltistan'', by creating, among other things, an elected legislative assembly. There has been criticism and opposition to this move in Pakistan, India, and Gilgit-Baltistan.<ref name="news100909">{{cite web |url=http://www.pkcolumnist.com/asif-ezdi/the-gilgit-baltistan-bungle |title=The Gilgit-Baltistan bungle |publisher=Thenews.jang.com.pk |date=2009-09-10 |accessdate=2010-06-05 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name=DAWN20090830>[http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/archives/archives2009/kashmir20090829c.html Gilgit-Baltistan package termed an eyewash], [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]], 2009-08-30</ref>

[[Gilgit Baltistan United Movement]]—while rejecting the new package—demanded that an independent and autonomous legislative assembly for Gilgit-Baltistan should be formed with the installation of local authoritative government as per the UNCIP resolutions, where the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will elect their president and the prime minister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unpo.org/content/view/10031/236/ |title=Gilgit-Baltistan: GBUM Calls for Self-Rule Under UN Resolutions |publisher=UNPO |date=2009-09-09 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>

In early September 2009, [[Pakistan]] signed an agreement with the [[People's Republic of China]] for a mega energy project in Gilgit-Baltistan which includes the construction of a 7,000-megawatt dam at Bunji in the [[Astore District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistanprobe.com/2010/05/gilgit-baltistan-autonomy-province-like.html|title=Pakistan | Gilgit-Baltistan autonomy |publisher=Dawn.Com |date=2009-09-09 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref> This also resulted in protest from [[India]], although Indian concerns were immediately rejected by Pakistan, which claimed that the Government of India has no locus standi in the matter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan rejects Indian protest on Gilgit-Baltistan, Bunji dam|url=http://pakistantimes.net/pt/detail.php?newsId=4184|publisher=Pakistan Times|accessdate=16 August 2013|author=Mumtaz Hamid Rao|year=2009}}{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

On 29 September 2009, the Pakistani Prime Minister, while addressing a huge gathering in Gilgit-Baltistan, announced a multi-billion rupee development package aimed at the socio-economic uplifting of people in the area. Development projects will include the areas of education, health, agriculture, tourism and the basic needs of life.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gilani announces development package for Gilgit Baltistan|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86767|publisher=Associated Press of Pakistan|accessdate=16 August 2013|date=29 September 2009|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306063710/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86767|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Manzar Shigri |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5AB1ZE20091112 |title=Pakistan's disputed Northern Areas go to polls |publisher=Reuters |date= 2009-11-12|accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/07/content_12011387.htm |title=Pakistani president signs Gilgit-Baltistan autonomy order _English_Xinhua |publisher=News.xinhuanet.com |date=2009-09-07 |accessdate=2010-06-05}}</ref>
The Prime Minister further went on to say:

''"You are getting your identity today. It is your right and has been your demand, and today we are fulfilling it."''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geo.tv/9-29-2009/49958.htm |title=Gilani announces development package for Gilgit Baltistan |publisher=GEO.tv |date=2009-09-29 |accessdate=2010-06-05 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Gilgit–Baltistan thus gained ''de facto'' province-like status without constitutionally becoming part of Pakistan.<ref name = indian_express/><ref name = dawn_gilgit>{{cite web|url=http://archives.dawn.com/archives/30198 |title=DAWN: Gilgit-Baltistan autonomy |publisher=Archives.dawn.com |date=2009-09-09 |accessdate=2013-02-23}}</ref> The official poistion of Pakistan has rejected Gilgit–Baltistani calls for integration with Pakistan on the grounds that it would prejudice its international obligations with regard to the [[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir dispute]].

In 1982 the Pakistani President General Zia ul Haq proclaimed that the people of the Northern Areas were [[Pakistanis]] and had nothing to do with the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

An attempt in 1993 by the High Court of [[Azad Kashmir]] to annex Gilgit–Baltistan was quashed by the [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]], after protests by the predominantly [[Shia Islam|Shia]] population of Gilgit–Baltistan, who feared domination by the [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] Kashmiris.<ref name="Schofield">{{Cite book|title=Kashmir in Conflict: India, Pakistan, and the Unending War|url=https://archive.org/details/kashmirconflicti00scho_615|first=Victoria|last=Schofield|publisher=I.B. Tauris|year=2000|pages=[https://archive.org/details/kashmirconflicti00scho_615/page/n196 180]–181}}</ref>

==Demography==
Main languages are [[Balti]], [[Shina language|Shina]] [[Burushaski]], [[Wakhi language|Wakhi]] and [[Khowar]].

==Government==
The Government of Gilgit Baltistan also known as the State Government of the Northern Areas, is the highest [[government|governing authority]] of the [[territory]] and its 10 [[district]]s. It consists of an [[executive branch|executive]], led by the [[Governor]] of Gilgit Baltistan, a [[Judicial branch|judiciary]] and a [[legislative branch]].

Like other provinces in Pakistan, the head of state of Gilgit Baltistan is the governor. The governor is chosen by the [[President of Pakistan]] on the advice of the central government. The governor's post is largely [[ceremony|ceremonial]]. It does not have much power. The [[Chief Minister]] is the head of government and is holds most of the executive powers.

The Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly is a 33-seat [[unicameral]] [[Legislation|legislative]] body. It was formed as part of the ''Gilgit–Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order, 2009''. This order gave the region self-rule and an [[election|elected]] legislative assembly.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shigri |first=Manzar |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/12/us-pakistan-election-idUSTRE5AB1ZE20091112 |title=Pakistan's disputed Northern Areas go to polls |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=2012-06-20 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143750/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/12/us-pakistan-election-idUSTRE5AB1ZE20091112 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gbcouncil.com|title=Gilgit-Baltistan Council|publisher=Gilgit-Baltistan Council|accessdate=20 July 2013}}</ref> Before this, the region had been directly ruled from [[Islamabad]].

== Districts of Gilgit Baltistan ==
* [[Astore District]] - ''([[Diamir Division]])''
* [[Diamir District]] - ''([[Diamir Division]])''
* [[Ghanche District]] - ''([[Baltistan Division]])''
* [[Ghizar District]] - ''([[Gilgit Division]])''
* [[Gilgit District]] - ''([[Gilgit Division]])''
* [[Hunza District]] - ''([[Gilgit Division]])''
* [[Nagar District]] - ''([[Gilgit Division]])''
* [[Skardu District]] - ''([[Baltistan Division]])''
* [[Shigar District]] - ''([[Baltistan Division]])''
* [[Kharmang District]] - ''([[Baltistan Division]])''

== Geography and climate ==
[[File:K2 8611.jpg|thumb|[[K2]] as seen from [[Concordia (Karakoram)|Concordia]]]]
[[File:SatparaLakeSkardu1215.jpg|thumb|[[Satpara Lake]], [[Skardu]], in 2002]]
Gilgit–Baltistan borders the [[Wakhan]] corridor of Afghanistan to the northwest, China's Uygur Autonomous Region of [[Xinjiang]] to the northeast, the disputed territory of [[Occupied Kashmir|Jammu and Kashmir]] to the south and southeast, the Pakistani-controlled state of [[Azad Jammu and Kashmir]] to the south, and Pakistan's [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] to the west.

Gilgi-Baltistan 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 expeditions to those mountains. The region is home to some of the world's [[List of highest mountains|highest mountain]] ranges—the main ranges are the [[Karakoram|Karakoram Mountains]] and the western [[Himalayas]]. The [[Pamir Mountains|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.

The [[Deosai Mountains|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 the Chinese region of [[Tibet]]. The plateau lies east of Astore, south of [[Skardu]] and west of [[Ladakh]]. The area was declared as 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 Astore & Baltistan in winters. The village of Deosai lies close to Chilum chokki and is connected with the [[Kargil District]] of [[Ladakh]] in the Kashmir disputed region through an all-weather road.

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name = indian_express>{{cite web |author= Nadeem |url= http://www.indianexpress.com/news/gilgitbaltistan-a-question-of-autonomy/519428/1 |title= Gilgit-Baltistan: A question of autonomy |publisher= Indian Express |date=2009-09-21 |accessdate= 2013-02-23}}</ref>
}}
{{Commons|Gilgit-Baltistan}}
{{Administrative units of Pakistan}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:1974 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Gilgit-Baltistan| ]]
[[Category:1970s establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Provinces of Pakistan]]

Gilgit-Baltistan - Revision history

CleanupBot at 03:35, 11 December 2022