Ghanche District


Ghanche District is a district of Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan in the disputed Kashmir region.

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. The Khaplu Valley and the Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of the Karakoram Mountains that includes the mighty peaks of K2, Broad Peak, the Gasherbrums and Masherbrum. Overall less than half the area of district is covered by forests, and a major portion is permanently snow covered.

Etymology

The word "gang" in the Balti language means "glacier", and '"che" is used as a superlative term to indicate "an abundance". The word is used by the residents of the Khaplu Valley in the name of 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".

Administration

The Ghanche District is divided into six tehsils:
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. Those were the villages of Chalunka, Thang, Turtuk, and Tyakshi.. Some of them are given in the chart below.
Name of Village/TownMuhallahs in the Village/Town
KerisOroba, Sumalsa, Kashiba, Sadat Colony, Barchong, Khargrong, Dangah, Youljuk, Charathang, Ural Gone, Banpa, Mustafaabad, Shagaran, Barchong
GoneGongma Grong, Gamba Grong
KuroFarool, Bahadurabad, Braqthoq, Khankah Grong, Gulshen Town Sato, Banigala, Gharaqpi Gond, Katchurdas, Khuramabad, Ldamxong, Airot
GhowariGhulu Khor, Manjar, Sain, Chogo Grong, Shahoba, Zangi Ba, Manowa, Sobi Gon, Rahinpi Khor, Mala Abdul pi Khor, Mayokhor, Duskhor, Soq, Gintha
YugoBaqir Colony, Yogo
DaghoniMalagrong, Baleeva, kharmang, Thagna, Shigalgrong, Chogogrong, Baktawa, Haiderabad
KharkooMandik, Arapa, Malayar, Thana Gamba Trangzong, Gongma Trangzong, Garbong, Youlskil, Piyara, Shopacholi, Lahar, Sogha
BalgharSoq, Yompoya, Loda, Khankha Groing, Marmung, Gon, Chan Gon, Ungbo, Gongmayar, Bazawa, Khodakha, Garieppa, Kharwathaing, Khashou, Gamba Bardas
BarahGumba Bara, Gungma Bara
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
Khaplu BalaMouldomar, Sargaib, Stodkhoor, Khanqah, Naqzigroung, Gamba Bathong, Goma Bathong, Goma Staqji, Langkhong, Hatchhe Khar, Hatchhe, Dinis, Gamba Bngriya, Goma Bngriya, Doqsa Garbochung
SalingBanpi 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
ChorbatSiksa, Chowar, Siari, Piun, Hassanabad, Ameerabad, Dawoo, Marcha, Partook, Thoqmus, Frano
Gulshan-e-KabirTranzong, Gonpon, Kharkhor, Farol
DumsumMallon, Gabser, Mongron, Khachepa, Yarkhor, Oling, Skoungoa, Barngmalla,
Ghursay
SinoSino
TalisNima Bazar, Hussani Chock,
SaltoroMandik, Saith, Ghaglu and Goma
SurmoChoghogrong, Tarkari, Tishari, Gond, Khar
KundosKarmanding, Gubla, Choghogrong, Telcho, bagey, shakhma, Lachat, Thang, Hano, Khorkondo, Farol,
MachuluAshurpi, Malikpi, Manthalpi, Khadi, Badawa, Hilbi, Mallon, Teshari, Marin, Bongri, Baqdurpi
Hushe
Marzi Gon
ThalayHaltagari 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:
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.