Ghanche District

Ghanche District (; Balti: , ) is a district of Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region.The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the tertiary sources (a) through (e), reflecting due weight in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below). (a) (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories."; (b) (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state."; (c) C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947"; (d) Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China." (e) Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir."; (f) (g) (h) Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control." (i) Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir."; (j) Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."

Etymology The word "gang" in the Balti language means glacier, and '"che" is used as a superlative term to indicate an abundance. The term is used by the residents of the Khaplu Valley for the Ghanche Nallah, a seasonal stream which flows through the town of Khaplu during the summer season. When the Pakistani government elevated the status of the Ghanche Tehsil to that of a district, the people of the valley selected the name "Ghanche".Arz-e-Shimal by Alhaj Muhammad Ibrahim Zair

Geography

It is the eastern-most district of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the coldest place within Pakistan as it is situated on the so-called "third pole", with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Shyok River flows through the Ghanche District. The Khaplu Valley and the Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of the Karakoram MountainsBalghari, Sajjad H:"Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh Qahistani", Monthly Nawa-i-Sufia, Islamabad, Issoue No.12, 1995 that includes the high peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), the Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum (7,821 m). Overall less than half the area of district is covered by forests, and a major portion is permanently snow covered.

History

Until 1820 Ghanche was ruled by Yabghu dynasty, which had close relations with the Maqpon dynasty of Skardu. That year, Ahmad Shah of Skardu invaded and annexed Ghanche. In 1840, the Dogras invaded and conquer Ghanche. In the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, established under British suzerainty in 1846, Ghanche was a part of Skardu tehsil of Ladakh Wazarat. Following 1947 Gilgit Rebellion it became a part of Pakistan along with rest of Baltistan. The Ghanche District was first established in 1974, but it was abolished sometimes later. It remained a part of Skardu District until 1989, when it was recreated and given District status.

Administration

The Ghanche District is divided into six tehsils:

Khaplu Tehsil Daghoni Tehsil Masherbrum Tehsil Chorbat Tehsil Ghowari Tehsil Keris Tehsil

The six tehsils are divided into 56 union councils, with each council containing several villages. Four villages of the Chorbat Valley were lost in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Those were the villages of Chalunka, Thang, Turtuk, and Tyakshi. Some of them are given in the chart below.

+ Name of Village/TownDistrict Body Ghanche Muhallahs in the Village/TownKerisOroba, Sumalsa, Kashiba, Sadat Colony, Barchong, Khargrong, Dangah, Youljuk, Charathang, Ural Gone, Banpa, Mustafaabad, Shagaran, BarchongGoneGongma Grong, Gamba GrongKuroFarool, Bahadurabad, Braqthoq, Khankah Grong, Gulshen Town Sato, Banigala, Gharaqpi Gond, Katchurdas, Khuramabad, Ldamxong, AirotGhowariGhulu Khor, Manjar, Sain (Hill Town), Chogo Grong, Shahoba, Zangi Ba, Manowa, Sobi Gon, Rahinpi Khor, Mala Abdul pi Khor, Mayokhor, Duskhor, Soq, GinthaYugoBaqir Colony, YogoDaghoniMalagrong, Baleeva, kharmang, Thagna, Shigalgrong, Chogogrong, Baktawa, HaiderabadKharkooMandik, Arapa, Malayar, Thana Gamba Trangzong, Gongma Trangzong, Garbong, Youlskil, Piyara, Shopacholi, Lahar, SoghaBalgharSoq, Yompoya, Loda, Khankha Groing, Marmung, Gon, Chan Gon, Ungbo, Gongmayar, Bazawa, Khodakha, Garieppa, Kharwathaing, Khashou, Gamba BardasBarahGumba Bara (Hilfiyuoq, Kharfiyouq, Bara Gond, BrouqPa, Thupori), Gungma Bara (Spinpa, Sampa, MantholPa, Khanka, Pandiva, Darussalam, Mirikpa, Shourova, MominPa, QadeerPa, Tatous)Khaplu PainKraming, Malaliwa, Ansoq, Kongbozang, Gongmayar, Baqerpi Gund. Mekxerpi, Goqpi Mirpiser, Thaskong, Ghares, Morgoto, Helam Groung, Braqchan, Chaqchan, Mongrong, Beadenday, Hipi, Askari Gond, Chilabatigond, Kowakhong, Stronpi, Konowa, Khsergroung, GarboungKhaplu Bala Mouldomar, Sargaib, Stodkhoor (Braqchansar, Khansar, Banpi, Hundili Gharalti, Laxar), Khanqah, Naqzigroung, Gamba Bathong, Goma Bathong, Goma Staqji (Muhsinabad), Langkhong (Islamabad), Hatchhe Khar, Hatchhe, Dinis (Faizbaksh Sector), Gamba Bngriya, Goma Bngriya, Doqsa GarbochungSaling Banpi Gabkhore, Doqbar, Biliggrong, Sotol, GondHaldiThagas* Newti Chan, Olday Groung, Garbi Groung, Kharat, Arif Abad, Chansoq, Farol, Baqmacho, Kharkhor, Bandy Groung, Arappi Groung, Ool, Tholdi, Dung, Lhangkhani Groung Chorbat Siksa (Kalan, Sokhmos), Chowar, Siari, Piun, Hassanabad, Ameerabad, Dawoo, Marcha, Partook, Thoqmus, FranoGulshan-e-Kabir Tranzong, Gonpon, Kharkhor (Kharkhor & Bongri), Farol (Gapkhor & Yarol)Dumsum Mallon, Gabser, Mongron, Khachepa, Yarkhor, Oling, Skoungoa, Barngmalla,Ghursay SinoSinoTalis Nima Bazar, Hussani Chock,Saltoro Mandik, Saith, Ghaglu and GomaSurmo Choghogrong, Tarkari, Tishari, Gond, KharKundos Karmanding, Gubla, Choghogrong, Telcho, bagey, shakhma, Lachat, Thang, Hano, Khorkondo, Farol,Machulu Ashurpi, Malikpi, Manthalpi, Khadi, Badawa, Hilbi, Mallon, Teshari, Marin, Bongri, BaqdurpiHusheMarzi GonThalayHaltagari Baltoro, Daltir, Yarkhor, Taso, Harangus, Parangus, Chundu, Khasomik, Bordas, Gaworic, lodas.

Religion

The majority of the people living in Ghanche District belong to Noorbakshia sect, with the rest belonging to the Sunni and Shia sects. A religious leader locally called a "bowa" has a very important place in Ghanche society.

Tourism Ghanche is one of the most visited tourist destination in Pakistan. Famous places to visit in Ghanche are: Barah valley Chaqchan Mosque Hushe Valley (K2 Gateway) Thalay valley Yabgo palace Keris

Aastana Mir Mukhtar Keris (Tomb) Balghar Ranga Crystal Lake Soga Dongsa Rock View Point Kuro Frano (Last village on the LOC) Gyari Yadgar e Shuhada Haldi Coneas Dumsum Valley Dumsum WaterFall Dumsum Rock Carving l Hot Spring Kondus Jerba So Keris (Lake) Keris Valley View Point (Chanma) Khashal Agri Tourism Park Ghowari Machulu Valley Mashbrum View Point Saling Spangtoq (Trout Fish) Thoqsi Khar Khaplu Yabgo Palace Khaplu (Sereena Palace)

Education

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017, Ghanche is ranked 29th out of 141 districts in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 118th out of 155.

Ghanche District

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