Gilgit Baltistan (Pakistan)

 

Gilgit Baltistan is the fifth administrative part of Pakistan in its north side. Formaly it was part of Northern Areas, by the year 2009, it was granted limited autonomy under the Self-Governance Order of Government of Pakistan and renamed to Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan still not included it as a separate province due to Kashmir Movement in disputed Jammu and Kashmir held by India.

It has high mountainous landscape, it has five eight-thousanders peaks. It also has longest glaciers of the World outside the polar region.

There are number of rock carvings found in Gilgit-Baltistan in Passu village, which are the indications of human presence in 2000 BC. Bon and Buddhism were the first religions in this area. In 14th century, due to Sufi Muslim, Islam was introduced in Gilgit-Baltistan. In 1839, Gilgit-Baltistan was under the control of Sikhs and then after the First Anglo-Sikh War, it beame part of Jammu and Kashmir State in 1846. After First Kashmir War, Jammu and Kashmir State is divided among Pakistan and India by Line of Control by UN. After then, Gilgit-Baltistan is control by Federal Govenment of Pakistan as Northern Areas. By 2009, it was assigned a separate self-rule Gilgit-baltitan Legislative Assembly, so it became a de facto province without constitutionally part of Pakistan.

Gilgit-Baltistan is situated in the highest mountain ranges of the Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush. K2 and Nanga Parbat are one of the highest peaks in this area. The Biafo, the Baltoro, and the Batura Glaciers are the largest glaciers in this region. There are number of high altitude lakes such as Sheosar lake, Naltar lake, etc. The Deosai Plains are the second highest plateau in the world at the altitude of 14,500 feet.

The climate of Gilgit-Baltistan is depend upon the type of region, in some parts are hot in summers whereas others remained cool and pleasant in summers.