Ghanche District

District of Gilgit-Baltistan administered by Pakistan in Gilgit-Baltistan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ghanche District (Urdu: ضلع گانچھے; Balti: གངས་ཆེ) is a district of Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region.^[1]^[3]^[4]^[5]

HeadquartersKhaplu

Number of Tehsils6

Quick facts ضلع گانچھے, Territory ...

Ghanche District ضلع گانچھے
District of Gilgit-Baltistan administered by Pakistan^[1]
A beautiful view from Dongsa Rock View Point Kuro Ghanche
A map showing Pakistani-administered Gilgit-Baltistan (shaded in sage green) in the disputed Kashmir region^[1]
Interactive map of Ghanche District
Coordinates: 35°10′N 76°20′E
Territory	Gilgit-Baltistan
Division	Baltistan Division
Headquarters	Khaplu
Government
• Type	District Administration
• Deputy Commissioner	Umer Viqar (BPS-18 PAS)
• District Police Officer	Nasir Ali Khan (BPS-18 PSP)
Area ^[2]
• Total	8,531 km² (3,294 sq mi)
Population (2023^[2])
• Total	157,822
• Density	18.50/km² (47.91/sq mi)
Number of Tehsils	6

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".^[6]

Geography

It is the eastern-most district of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is the coldest place within Pakistan as it is situated on the "third pole", with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Shyok River flows through Ghanche District. The Khaplu Valley and the Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of the Karakoram Mountains^[7] that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), the Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum (7,821 m).^[8] Overall less than half the area of district is covered by forests, and a major portion is permanently snow covered.^[9]

History

Until 1820 Ghanche was ruled by Yabghu dynasty, which it 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 along with rest of Baltistan became part of Pakistan. 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 many villages. Four villages of the Chorbat Valley were lost in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.^[10]^[11] Those were the villages of Chalunka, Thang, Turtuk, and Tyakshi. .^[12] Some of them are given in the chart below.

More information Name of Village/Town, Muhallahs in the Village/Town ...


Name of Village/Town^[13]	Muhallahs in the Village/Town
Keris	Oroba, Sumalsa, Kashiba, Sadat Colony, Barchong, Khargrong, Dangah, Youljuk, Charathang, Ural Gone, Banpa, Mustafaabad, Shagaran, Barchong
Gone	Gongma Grong, Gamba Grong
Kuro	Farool, Bahadurabad, Braqthoq, Khankah Grong, Gulshen Town Sato, Banigala, Gharaqpi Gond, Katchurdas, Khuramabad, Ldamxong, Airot
Ghowari	Ghulu Khor, Manjar, Sain (Hill Town), Chogo Grong, Shahoba, Zangi Ba, Manowa, Sobi Gon, Rahinpi Khor, Mala Abdul pi Khor, Mayokhor, Duskhor, Soq, Gintha
Yugo	Baqir Colony, Yogo
Daghoni	Malagrong, Baleeva, kharmang, Thagna, Shigalgrong, Chogogrong, Baktawa, Haiderabad
Kharkoo	Mandik, Arapa, Malayar, Thana Gamba Trangzong, Gongma Trangzong, Garbong, Youlskil, Piyara, Shopacholi, Lahar, Sogha
Balghar	Soq, Yompoya, Loda, Khankha Groing, Marmung, Gon, Chan Gon, Ungbo, Gongmayar, Bazawa, Khodakha, Garieppa, Kharwathaing, Khashou, Gamba Bardas
Barah	Gumba Bara (Hilfiyuoq, Kharfiyouq, Bara Gond, BrouqPa, Thupori), Gungma Bara (Spinpa, Sampa, MantholPa, Khanka, Pandiva, Darussalam, Mirikpa, Shourova, MominPa, QadeerPa, Tatous)
Khaplu Pain	Kraming, 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, Garboung
Khaplu 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 Garbochung
Saling	Banpi Gabkhore, Doqbar, Biliggrong, Sotol, Gond
Haldi
Thagas	* 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, Frano
Gulshan-e-Kabir	Tranzong, Gonpon, Kharkhor (Kharkhor & Bongri), Farol (Gapkhor & Yarol)
Dumsum	Mallon, Gabser, Mongron, Khachepa, Yarkhor, Oling, Skoungoa, Barngmalla,
Ghursay
Sino	Sino
Talis	Nima Bazar, Hussani Chock,
Saltoro	Mandik, Saith, Ghaglu and Goma
Surmo	Choghogrong, Tarkari, Tishari, Gond, Khar
Kundos	Karmanding, Gubla, Choghogrong, Telcho, bagey, shakhma, Lachat, Thang, Hano, Khorkondo, Farol,
Machulu	Ashurpi, Malikpi, Manthalpi, Khadi, Badawa, Hilbi, Mallon, Teshari, Marin, Bongri, Baqdurpi
Hushe
Marzi Gon
Thalay	Haltagari Baltoro, Daltir, Yarkhor, Taso, Harangus, Parangus, Chundu, Khasomik, Bordas, Gaworic, lodas.

Religion

The majority of the people living in Ghanche District belong to Noorbakshia Sufi Islam, 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:^[14]

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.^[15]

References

[1]
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) Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 15 August 2019 (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) Pletcher, Kenneth, Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, retrieved 16 August 2019 (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) "Kashmir", Encyclopedia Americana, Scholastic Library Publishing, 2006, p. 328, ISBN 978-0-7172-0139-6 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) Osmańczyk, Edmund Jan (2003), Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M, Taylor & Francis, pp. 1191–, ISBN 978-0-415-93922-5 Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China."
(e) Talbot, Ian (2016), A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas, Yale University Press, pp. 28–29, ISBN 978-0-300-19694-8 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) Skutsch, Carl (2015) [2007], "China: Border War with India, 1962", in Ciment, James (ed.), Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II (2nd ed.), London and New York: Routledge, p. 573, ISBN 978-0-7656-8005-1, The situation between the two nations was complicated by the 1957–1959 uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule. Refugees poured across the Indian border, and the Indian public was outraged. Any compromise with China on the border issue became impossible. Similarly, China was offended that India had given political asylum to the Dalai Lama when he fled across the border in March 1959. In late 1959, there were shots fired between border patrols operating along both the ill-defined McMahon Line and in the Aksai Chin.
(g) Clary, Christopher (2022), The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia, Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, p. 109, ISBN 9780197638408, Territorial Dispute: The situation along the Sino-Indian frontier continued to worsen. In late July (1959), an Indian reconnaissance patrol was blocked, "apprehended," and eventually expelled after three weeks in custody at the hands of a larger Chinese force near Khurnak Fort in Aksai Chin. ... Circumstances worsened further in October 1959, when a major class at Kongka Pass in eastern Ladakh led to nine dead and ten captured Indian border personnel, making it by far the most serious Sino-Indian class since India's independence.
(h) Bose, Sumantra (2009), Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace, Harvard University Press, pp. 294, 291, 293, ISBN 978-0-674-02855-5 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) Fisher, Michael H. (2018), An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century, Cambridge University Press, p. 166, ISBN 978-1-107-11162-2 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) Snedden, Christopher (2015), Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris, Oxford University Press, p. 10, ISBN 978-1-84904-621-3 Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."
[2]
"Gilgit Baltistan at a Glance 2024" (PDF). Planning & Development Department Statistical & Research Cell (SRC), Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. June 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
[3]
Bukhari, Syed Mehdi (April 18, 2015). "The serenity of Ghanche: Of mountains, rivers and valleys". DAWN.COM.
[4]
"Mapping education in Pakistan 2015". DAWN.COM. May 21, 2015.
[5]
"Rifts within Nurbakhshiyas: Dozens arrested after clashes in Ghanche Valley". The Express Tribune. August 3, 2014.
[6]
Arz-e-Shimal by Alhaj Muhammad Ibrahim Zair
[7]
Balghari, Sajjad H:"Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh Qahistani", Monthly Nawa-i-Sufia, Islamabad, Issoue No.12, 1995
[8]
"History of Ganche and places to see". Archived from the original on 2013-06-18.
[9]
Shah, Imran. "Ghanche District". Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
[10]
"Turtuk, a Promised Land Between Two Hostile Neighbours".
[11]
Rajrishi Singhal, qz com (September 10, 2016). "An encounter with the 'king' of Turtuk, a border village near Gilgit-Baltistan". Scroll.in.
[12]
"geography of baltistan". Archived from the original on 2020-02-23. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
[13]
District Body Ghanche
[14]
"Ghanche District". Retrieved 28 March 2021.
[15]
"Pakistan District Education Rankings 2017" (PDF). Alif Ailaan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2019-08-16.