Northern Areas of Pakistan
By: Shehzad Shigri
The Northern
Areas of Pakistan are a rocky wilderness of 2700 sq. miles. Containing the biggest
glaciers anywhere in the world and the biggest glaciers outside the polar region.
In this region the nature is still virgin, abode the most bewildering and tantalizing
cluster of worlds largest glaciers, three out of fourteen peaks which are above
eight thousand meters also situated in this region. The collision of Karakorams,
mighty Himalayas and Hindu Kush give birth to the most congested mountainous
region in the world. Hunza Nagar valleys, surrounded by snow clad mountains
and mighty glaciers, Baltora, Passo, bordering with Chinese silking province
has a unique history and home for tradition. Hunza and Nagar two princely states
and centuries old rivalries known for their matchless natural beauty and splendor.
Historians named Hunza �Apricot Valley�, because fruit laden oreliuds full of
delicious apricots, apples and abundance of various juicy fruits that hardly
exist anywhere in the world. Historians are still wandering through the past
to unfold the facts about the origin and relations of the old peoples of these
valleys, which remain a secret for centuries to outer world, old Silk Route
which passes through the mountain terrace of Hunza, Nagar and onward to subcontinent
allows passage to the trade caravans of �Chinese Silk� and spices and jewelry
trade to China and Central Asia. Karakoram Highway (KKH) the 8th wonder of the
world was build on the footprints of the old silk route with the technical help
of Peoples Republic of China connects land locked north to the Pakistan. GLIMPSES
OF NORTHERN AREAS SIACHEN GLACIER: - Is the largest glacier in the world. It
is 71 Km long and covers an area of 685 sq. km. K-2: - The second highest peak
in the world with an altitude of 8611 meters passes through concordia, a junction
of three glaciers. BALTORO GLACEIR: - Baltoro glacier is 62 km long and covers
an area of 529 sq. km. BIAFO GLACIER: It is 63 km long and descends from the
central peaks of Karakoram, having its snout at Khurdopin, flows eastward in
into the Braldo valley. BUALTAR GLACIER: - The Bualter glacier snouts in Nagar
and is one of the two valley glaciers of the world. HUNZA VALLEY: Hunza a princely
state, famous for its 33 varieties of apricots, a well-known name among nature
lovers. Its ancient civilization and historical significance distinguished it
from other heavenly valleys of Northern Areas. MEANS OF TRANPORTATION: - This
mountainous area has all means, which a territory of modern world is enjoying.
Roads: - Approach to Northern Areas by road is through KKH. It is a journey
of 14 hours from Rawalpindi or Islamabad. In the way one can enjoy the greenery
of Potohar plateau followed with the virgin beauty of Himalayan rang along river
Indus. By air: - From Islamabad a flight of 50 minutes over Indus valley or
Kaghan valley leads to Giltgit valley which is the capital of Northern Areas.
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION: - During the recent revolution of Information Technology,
this far mountainous area is also equally benefited. Telecommunication: - By
Telephone one can enjoy a direct contact all over the world. Internet: - Internet
service has also been introduced in Northern Areas by COMSATS Internet services.
HISTORY OF NORTHEN AREAS OF PAKISTAN Known history of this area leads us to
before B.C�s. The invasion of outsiders was a routine. Alexander The great concurred
this area and his some companion preferred these mountain as their home. The
fossils and other archeological studies have proved this hypothesis. Ancestors
of companions of Alexander the great can be seen in Hunza valley and Kalash
valley in Chitral District. Aryans have also invaded this area from the north.
They pushed the natives to south. Agriculture and the civic development commenced
from this era. In the Middle Ages Buddha came there to preach the people, then
Buddhism became the religion of people. Statues of Buddha and other stone carvings
offer a great challenge to Historians, Archeologists and Anthropologists. Statue
of Buddha at the village of Nopora Baseen has a great historical significance.
After the advent of Islam, Muslim preachers came there to preach people, since
then Islam is the major religion in this territory. During the Mughal dynasty
in India, the trade caravans were carried silk from China to India and spices
from India to China. Now the Karakoram Highway (KKH) have been build on the
footprints of the ancient Silk Route, which is considered as the eight wonder.
In September 2000 a trade and cultural festival was held in Gilgit with the
collaboration of China and central Asian states. It was held to boost up the
centuries old cultural and trade relations. It has been considered as the one
of the most successful efforts to promote cultural ties. In short Northern Areas
can facilitate a person with a variety of cultures and traditions. Partially
obsolete traditions of Aryans, Archeological and Historical proofs of Bhuddist
era, highest trade rates through the silk route during 16th and 17th centuries,
half century old history of British colonial rule, Archeological signs of all
these can be seen in Northern Areas. SPORTS AND FESTIVALS Sports and festival
reflect the history of this area. Most of the games have been played, have no
rules and regulations. Festivals celebrating have their Buddhist era origin
except Nouroze. Nouroze, a festival has taken its birth from the ancient Persian
Empire. The people of Northern Areas have equally celebrated it at the 21st
of March. Ginani also known as Ganoni has its origin from the Buddhist era in
this region. It is celebrated when crop of wheat gets maturity. During the festival
people dance with the rhythm of drum and lute. Another Festival commonly known
as Thumushalin is celebrated in the Hunza and its suburbs. Polo, a game of men
gets its origin from the post Buddhist era of this region and is played with
the full spirit hitherto. The biggest tournament of Polo is held at Shadoor
Top at an altitude of 13500 feet. In this tournament, the rivals are Gilgit
and Chitral. In the past five years Shandoor Festival of polo gets the attention
of whole of the world Tug-of-war was a famous game of princely states of Hunza,
Nagar and Punial. During the rule of Rajas it was played at the spirits of esteem
among the different states. Now it is an obsolete game. Sword dance is the folk
dance of Northern Areas. It has different forms in different valleys e.g. in
Chilas valley it has a different form and called Tumbul, in Hunza valley it
is in different form and in Skardu valley also. CURRENT EVENTS: - In the advent
of 21st century government of Pakistan has did his best to promote socioeconomic
progress in Northern Areas. One of among these is Silk Route Festival. Silk
Route Festival is the greatest effort to boost up trade and cultural ties among
Pakistan, China and central Asian states. Honorable ambassador of China inaugurated
it. Cultural and trade groups from China and central Asia also attended. Karakoram
Car Rally has been arranged from Islamabad to Khlunjarab top at the China border
to boost up tourism in Northern Areas.The participants of rally will have to
travel about 950 km. Via Hunza valley. The largest and grandeur glaciers of
Northern Areas. S. No. Name Area covered Length in In sq. km. Km. 1. Siachin
685 71 2. Baltoro 529 62 3. Biafo 383 65 4. Hispar 343 49 5. Panmah 254 42 6.
Chongo Lungma 238 44 7. Batura 220 56 8. Khurdopin 135 37 & Yukshin 9. Braldu
123 36 10. Barpu 123 33 11. Yaqghil 114 31 12. Virjerab 112 38 13. Mohmil 68
26 14. Gasherbrum 67 25 15. Malangutti 53 22
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