Ghanche District


Ghanche District is the easternmost district of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. With its administrative headquarters in the historic city of Khaplu, Ghanche is famous as a tourist destination for its outstanding scenery and high altitude landscapes.

Geography

To its northeast is Xinjiang, to the north and northwest is Skardu District, to its southwest is Kharmang District and to its south is Indian administered Ladakh. The Actual Ground Position Line at the easternmost part of Ghanche District is located across the Saltoro Ridge. Territory east of the AGPL is currently controlled by India including the entire Siachen Glacier. It has been proposed by moderates in Pakistan and India to make the Siachen Glacier region a Peace Park. Pakistan controls west of Saltoro Ridge.
The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu. This region is the coldest place within Pakistan also called the "Third Pole" with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Khaplu Valley and Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrums and Masherbrum .

Etymology

The word Gang in Balti and means "glacier" and che is used as superlative term showing its abundance. It is locally used by natives of the Khaplu Valley for Ghanche Nallah which flows in between the Khaplu town during summer season. When the Pakistani government gave it the grade of district, people of the valley selected the name of "Ghanche" willingly.

Administration

Khaplu consists of 56 blocks, each block containing many villages and these blocks have been divided into three subdivisions: Khaplu, Daghoni and Masherbrum. Four villages of Chorbat Valley were lost in Indian invasion in 1971. They were Chalunka, Tyakshi, Thang and Turtuk. Some of them are given in the chart below.
Name of Village/TownMuhallahs in the Village/Town
Khaplu BalaMouldomar, Sargaib, Stodkhoor, Khanqah, Naqzigroung, Gamba Bathong, Goma Bathong, Goma staqji, Langkhong, Hatchhe khar, Hatchhe, Hatchhe, Dinis, Gamba Bngriya, goma Bngriya, Doqsa Garbochung,
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, Garboung
KharkooMandik, Arapa, Malayar, Thana Gamba Trangzong, Gongma Trangzong, Garbong, Youlskil, Piyara, Shopacholi, Lahar, Sogha
Haldi
ChorbatSiksa, Chowar, Siari, Piun, Hassanabad, Ameerabad, Dawoo, Marcha, Partook, Thoqmus, Franu
SalingBanpi Gabkhore, Doqbar, Biliggrong, Sotol, Gond
Thagas* Newti Chan, Olday Groung, Garbi Groung, Kharat, Arif Abad, Chansoq,
, Farol, Baqmacho, Kharkhor, Bandy Groung, Arappi Groung, Ool, Tholdi, Dung,Lhangkhani Groung.
YugoBaqir Colony
GhawariGhulu Khor, Manjar, Sain, Chogo Grong, Shahoba, Zangi Ba, Manowa, Sobi Gon, Rahinpi Khor, Mala Abdul pi khor, Mayokhor, Duskhor, Soq, Gintha
KuroFarool, Khankah grong, Sato, Bani gala,Gharaqpi gond, Katchurdas,Khuram abad
Gulshan-e-KabirTranzong, Gonpon, Kharkhor, Farol
Dumsummallon, gabser, mongron,khachepa,yarkhor,oling,skoungoa, barngmalla,
GhursayGoma,Skilma,Gamba,
Paindo
Sino
TalisNima bazar, hussani chock,
SaltoroMandik, Saith, Ghaglu and Goma
SurmoChoghogrong, Tarkari, Tishari, Gond, Khar
KundosKarmanding, Choghogrong, Lachat, Thang, Hano, Khorkondo
MachuluAshurpi, Malikpi, Manthalpi, Khadi, Badawa, Hilbi, Mallon, Teshari, Marin, Bongri, Baqdurpi
BalgharSoq,Yompoya,Loda,Khankha Groing, marmung,Gon,Chan Gon, Ungbo,Gongmayar,Bazawa,Khodakha,Garieppa,Kharwathaing,khashou,Gamba Bardas.
Hushe
Marzi Gon
BARA Valley BaltistanGumba BARA, Gungma BARA
ThalayHaltagari Baltoro, daltir, yarkhor, taso, harangus, parangus, Chundu, khasomik, bordas, gaworic, lodas.
KerisOroba, Sumalsa, kashiba, Sadat colony, Barchong, Khargrong, Dangah, Youljuk, Charathang, Ural Gone, Banpa,Mustafaabad,Shagaran,barchong.

Religion

Majority of the people living in Ghanche are Muslims, with 80% belonging to Noorbakshia Islam, 15% belonging Ahl-i Hadith Muslims, whereas rest of the 5% are Shia and Sunni muslims. A religious leader locally called ‘Bowa’ has very important place in society.

Education

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