INTRODUCTION TO THE NORTHERN AREAS

The Northern Areas of Pakistan, defined in general terms, cover the districts of Gilgit, Diamer, Ghizer, Ghanche and Skardu.

Nature has endowed the area with high peaks and large glaciers concentrated in a relatively small radius. Each district can boast of at least one lofty peak. K-2 with a height of 8,611 m (28, 416 ft) lies majestically in Skardu district overlooking the Chinese territory. Nanga Parbat, 8, 138 m (26,855 ft) high, is located in Diamer whereas the 7,788 m (25,700 ft) high Rakaposhi is situated in Gilgit. Some 28 peaks of the area are over 20,000 ft high.

Whereas Diamer does not have any glacier worth mentioning, Gilgit, Skardu and Ghanche offer some formidable glaciers like Biafo, Baltoro and Siachin which is 72 km long and the largest in the world outside the poles.

Geopolitically it is the most sensitive area of Pakistan. It touches Sinkiang in the north and Afghanistan in the northwest with Tajikistan close behind. On the southern side there is a stretch of over 300 miles long ceasefire line with Indian-held Kashmir and Ladakh. With the opening of the Karakoram Highway, the Northern Areas have acquired additional strategic and political importance.

The area is spread over 72,496 sq. km., approximately the size of the NWFP, with a present population of nearly 800,000 and a low density of 8 persons per sq. km., living in some 650 small villages.

There are eight ethnic groups, viz; Baltis, Yashkuns, Moghal, Kashmiries, Pathans, Laddakis and Turks speaking eight different languages namely Shina, Balti, Brushiski, Khawar, Wakhi, Urdu, Pushto, and Farsi.

The four major religious sects are Sunnies, Shias, Ismailies and Noorbukshies. Sunnies are mostly in Daimer and Gilgit districts. The majority of Shias are in Skardu and Ghanche districts. The Ismalies are mostly in Ghizer district and in Hunza sub-division of Gilgit district.