Understanding Gilgit – Baltistan

A series of presentations

Compiled for educational purpose by Pamir Media Group. Constructive feedback is

welcome. Email: pamir.times@gmail.com

HISTORY OF THE RULERS (Part 1)

Map

China

India

Afghanistan

The people of Gilgit & Baltistan

• Projected population is around 2 million (no census since 1998)

• Major languages are Shina, Balti, Burushaski, Wakhi, Khowar, Domaki, Gojri

• Major Islamic sects are Shia, Sunni, Ismaili, Nurbakhshi.

History

• The region’s first settlements have been traced back to 5,000 BC (Hunters, cavemen)

• The Era of Megalith Builders from Chitral and Swat

• Dardic people inhabited the region in 4th century BC

• Followed by the Scythians, who introduced Stupas and Kharoshti script, established trade relations with Taxila

• They were followed by the Gondophares branch of Parthians, deciphered from distinct rock carvings

• The Kushans came in 1 century B.C – they used Gold for trade and established trade routes

• Persian Sassanis captured the region in 3rd century A.D• After them, the region was controlled by Hun warriors,

who ruled through local “Rajas”• After the fall of the Huns, the Rajas became

independent • From 612 to 750 AD, the areas were ruled by

Patoal Shahi Dynasty who were Budhists and had close ties with Chinese empire

Local dynasties

• Between 7th Century and early 19th century, parts of the Northern Areas were ruled by succession of various dynasties including:

• Tarakhans of Gilgit, • Maghlots of Nagar • Ayasho of Hunza • Burshai of Punyal • Maqpoons of Skardu • Anchans of Shigar • Yabgos of Khaplu

• In the beginning of 8th centuryAD the Trakhan rulers embraced Islam

• In the medieval times, Northern Areas remained outside Mughal control although Akbar conquered Kashmir and parts of Baltistan while Gilgit retained its independent status

• The region came under the control of Dogra rulers of Kashmir in the 18th century

• By the end of 19th century, the British Government created the Gilgit agency and appointed a political agent, under a lease agreement with Maharaja Harising of Kashmir

• In 1947, the people of region revolted against the Maharaja

The State of Gilgit• On 1st November the state of Gilgit was established • The state existed for 15 days • Shah Raees was the President

of the state of Gilgit• The states of Hunza, Nagar and other

rulers of princely states requested Pakistan to take control of the region

• The state of Gilgit was abolished on 16th November 1947 and the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) was promulgated by Sardar Alam Khan, Pakistan’s political agent, in the region

War of Independence

• The war of independence fought by the paramilitary Gilgit Scout, with the help of volunteers, and also supported by the Pakistan Army continued for more than a year, resulting in liberation of around 72,000 square miles of land

Reforms since 1947 ….• 1950 The federal Government established the

Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) and transferred the affairs of the Northern Areas to the Ministry

• 1967 Two local political agents were appointed, one each from Gilgit and Baltistan

• 1970 Northern Areas Advisory Council was formed, having 16 members

• 1974 Bhutto announced creation of Ghizar and Ghanche districts. Abolished state of Hunza and the black law called FCR

• 1977 General Zia-ul-Haq imposed Martial Law in Pakistan and the GB was declared as Zone-E, reps appointed to Majlis-e-Shura

• 1985 Aga Ahmad Ali Shah, a local, appointed as Advisor to KANA Minister

• 1988 Qurban Ali became advisor to the PM• 1994 Benazir introduced Legal Framework Order 1994

through which Northern Areas Rules of Business were Framed, Chief Secretary and Civil Secretariats were established. Chief Court was established

• 1999 LFO of 1994 was amended by Musharraf empowering the Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC) to legislate on 49 subjects

• 2005 Northern Areas Court of appeals established. Seats for technocrats and women added to the council

• 2006 Six advisors were added to the NALC and their salaries and privileges were also increased

• 2007 Northern Areas Legal Framework Order 1994 was renamed as Northern Areas Governance Order 1994 and amended. Similarly NALC was renamed as Northern Areas Legislative Assembly

• 2009 Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order 2009 was signed by President Zardari. Through this, the region was renamed as Gilgit-Baltistan, the institutions of GB Council, GB Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan were formed.

• The position of Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers and advisors were also created.

• The region is still being run through the KANA Division

• GB Council has most of the powers, headed by the PM of Pakistan

Current political setup • Governor Syed Pir Karam

Ali Shah

• Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah

• Speaker Wazir Baig

• Deputy Speaker Jamil Ahmed

Current Administrative Divisions

Gilgit Division

• District Gilgit • District Ghizar • District Hunza-Nagar

Baltistan Division

• District Skardu • District Ghanche

Diamer Division

• District Astore • District Diamer

Resources used

• Northern Areas of Pakistan-Facts, Problems and Recommendations (Institute of Policy Studies)

• The Gilgit-Baltistan Reforms 2009 (by Altaf Hussain) • Global Security Report on Gilgit-Baltistan • Discord in Pakistan’s Northern Areas (ICG report) • A socio-political study of Gilgit-Baltistan Province (BZU publication)

Disclaimer 1: The data and historical accounts are being presented with a positive intention, i.e. education and generating a debate. The makers of this presentation are not responsible for any factual or historical anomaly.

Websites consulted

• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/fana.htm • www.gilgitbaltistanscouts.gov.pk • www.wikipedia.org

Disclaimer 2: The photographs in this presentation have been used for educational purpose alone. The copyrights remain with the original owners.