BLOSSOM IN HUNZA

Blossom is a unique season  in Hunza valley. From 25th March - 20th April blossom can be observed in full natural splendor. So it is an occasion of greatest happiness where trees and vegetation give a fresh look to the viewers. Thousands of National and International tourists travel to Hunza at the time of blossom and enjoy it.

Batura Galcier

Batura Glacier, 56 kilometres (35 mi) long, is one of the largest and longest glaciers outside the polar regions. It lies in Batura Valley Passu in the Hunza Gojal region of the Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan. 

PASSU GALCIER

Passu Glacier is situated in the south side of Passu village. Passu Peak is situated in the back side of the glacier. This glacier is linked with Batura Glacier and many other glaciers of the region.

Passu is a small village on the Karakoram Highway, beside the Hunza River, some 15 kilometers from Gulmit, Hunza region of Pakistan. It lies very near the tongue of the Passu Glacier, and just south of the tongue of the Batura Glacier. Batura Glacier is 5th longest non-polar glacier in the world at 56 km.

NALTAR VALLEY

Naltar is a valley near Gilgit and Hunza in the Gilgit–Baltistan province. It is a forested village known for its wildlife and magnificent mountain scenery. This valley is equally known for skiing in winters and greenry and scenic beauty in Summer. There is a lake in the Naltar valley known as 'Bashkiri Lake' at a distance of 13 kilometers (08 mi) from Upper Naltar . The road from village to the lake is nonmetallic and narrow alongside a stream throughout this road coming from the mountains. In winter it is almost impossible to reach the lake through any vehicle due to the snow (10 to 15 feet high) on the road. Tourists from across the world visit here to see the nature at its best. 

NAUROZ MUBARAK

On 21 March every year, Navroz (Nowruz) festival is celebrated in many Muslim communities and cultures, particularly those belonging to the Shia (Ismaili, Twelvers etc). For many communities, it marks the beginning of a new year and the first day of spring. Nauroz is celebrated in Hunza with the same theme. It is simultaneously a Cultural and a Religious festival.

Blue Sheep having 32 Inchs Long Horns; Hunted

A blue sheep with 32-inch-long horns is hunted by an Italian hunter; Boieti Gian Carlo in the wildlife conservatory at Hunza Gojal near the Pak-China border. Blue sheep is the Pakistan’s longest and the world’s second longest animal.  The Italian hunter payed permit fee of 8,000 US dollars to the Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife department. Blue sheep is a rare species and only found in Nepal and Pakistan.

80 percent of the income from the sale of hunting permits went to the local community to be spent on development of wildlife in their respective areas. Twenty per cent of the amount would go to the government exchequer. In Khunjrab Village Organization's wildlife reserve live 30 snow leopards and other wildlife species.

The hunting season begins in November and ends in April. The wildlife department issues hunting permits for only the aged animals.

Mount Everest under the feet of Hunza Woman

Pakistani mountaineering siblings Samina and Mirza Ali Baig are being backed by a special kind of Adventure Diplomacy Group (ADG), consisting of the Embassies of Republic of Argentina, Republic of Indonesia, Nepal, Russian Federation, United States of America, and the Serena hotel, for the “Beyond the heights” documentary which paid a tribute to Samina Mirza Ali.

In May 2013, Samina Baig made headlines around the world when she climbed Mount Everest. Her brother Mirza Ali had accompanied her on the trek, but stayed back while she conquered the mountain. The duo helped make a powerful statement about women’s empowerment.

After the pair returned from Mount Everest, the Serena Hotels founded the ADG to help turn the duo’s dream of becoming the world’s first siblings to conquer seven of the world’s highest peaks across seven continents into reality. The Group, consisting of Embassies of the Argentine Republic, Republic of Indonesia, Nepal, Russian Federation, United States of America, along with Serena Hotels, aimed to facilitate and sponsor Samina and Mirza’s journey across the world to promote peace, gender equality, women empowerment, youth development, and environmental awareness. On July 24, 2014, an excited Mirza announced via satellite phone that he and his sister had hoisted the green flag of Pakistan on top of Mount Elbrus, which runs high at 5,642m.

On Thursday, the ADG hosted an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated documentary called “beyond the heights” which featured Samina’s mountaineering efforts, which helped her land at the top of Mount Everest. The premiere of the documentary was attended by business leaders, government officials, and diplomats from across Islamabad. A beaming Mirza, who had filmed the footage for the documentary, spoke before the screening. He said, “Pakistan’s youth is brimming with promise. It is a pleasure to unveil tonight how much my sister – one of the strongest women I know -has accomplished through her perseverance. All Pakistani women are capable of this strength. We must support them in all their endeavours.” Mirza had stayed behind in during May 2013, and is preparing to summit Mount Everest this year in April.
Nepalese Ambassador Bharat Raj Paudyal delivered the welcome note. He said, “Mountaineering is a tough challenge anywhere in the world and it becomes tougher both physically and logistically when you aim for the highest point on earth. By their perseverance and commitment, Samina and Mirza have achieved something that serves as an inspiration to the youth of Pakistan.” The documentary opened with spellbinding shots of Mirza and Samina’s hometown in Shimshal, a valley in Upper Hunza. The audience fell silent as they watched Samina’s courage play out on the screen as she travelled against great odds from her village in Hunza to the summit of Mount Everest.
Addressing the event, US Ambassador Richard Olson said, “Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month in the United States to recognise the contributions of women in all aspects of our society. Samina’s achievements on and off the summits are an inspiration to all of us.”
Samina’s work is not just an inspiration for women, but to all Pakistanis who want to do something that really helps them stand ou

International Women Day

To commemorate the upcoming International Women’s Day, Martine Dorance, the French ambassador to Pakistan hosted a gathering at her residence to introduce a group of female carpenters from (Hunza & Chitral) Gilgit-Baltistan. Women belonging to the civil society, politics, academia and media attended the event to celebrate and hear from 10 female carpenters — stories of their struggle to find a niche in a predominantly patriarchal part of the country.

Young women trained in a skill development project focusing on carpentry, masonry and others, from Hunza and Chitral with the support of the foreign countries participated in the event. Bibi Amina proudly introduced herself as the first female carpenter from Hunza.

It was in 2008, when Amina lost her father. With insufficient finances to complete her education, she decided to become a carpenter. “There was no social acceptance [of a woman working outside her home],” Amina said.

Her need to earn a living soon became her passion. Over the years, Amina’s will to learn took her to Norway for training and her story encouraged other girls to enter carpentry.

“Today, when I see other girls doing what I started doing alone, it is a feeling I can’t express,” she said.

Aqeela Bano Shah, surveyor of the project, said transport of products to other parts of the country was difficult, adding that most sales were made within G-B. However, carpentry for many women in G-B has not just been about money. It is also about creating a niche for working women in various professions.

As the funds will come to an end in coming June, Shah is positive to keep the project running on their own.

Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization CEO Aisha Khan said “empowerment of a woman lies with [control over] economics.”

Rights activist Farzana Bari said the state continues to behave in a patriarchal manner and has turned a blind eye towards the bill on domestic violence.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, the French envoy said after arriving very recently in Pakistan, she was enthralled to meet women from almost every profession.

“Women here are in every field. The event today educated us on different issues and helped exchange views,” she said.

Poet Kishwar Naheed appreciated young carpenters from Hunza for adopting non-professional skills while Baela Jamil, coordinator of Annual Status of Education Report, said the government should ensure compulsory education for everyone, especially girls

Altit Fort

Altit Fort

Altit Fort is an ancient fort above Karimabad in the Hunza valley in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It was originally home to the hereditary rulers of the Hunza state who carried the title Mir, although they moved to the somewhat younger Baltit Fort nearby three centuries later. Altit Fort and in particular the Shikari tower is around 1100 years old, which makes it the oldest monument in the Gilgit–Baltistan.

The word Altit means down side and is a Tibetan word. The people of Altit are said to belong to the white Huns, although not much research has gone into the matter. It is said that the present language Bruchiski was brought here by the white Huns in 47 A.D. The first name for Altit village was Hunukushal, meaning the village of Huns. The Huns came from the Huang-Ho valley in China. The name later changed to Broshal, translated as a village of Brushashki speakers. They were spirit worshippers as Shamanism was in practice. In the 15th century Shia Islam was introduced. Around 1830 in turn all the population converted to Ismailism.

INTRODUCTION

GILGIT-BALTISTAN

It is northernmost territory of Pakistan, formerly known as “Northern Areas”. It is geographically stated in a very important pinnacle in the world. Its borders touches Xinjiang region of China in the northeast, Pakistan controlled Kashmir in the south, the province of Khyber Pukhtunkhawa to the west, Wakhan corridor to Afghanistan in the north and India controlled Kashmir to the southeast.

Gilgit-Baltistan is a self-governing autonomous region covering an area of 73,000 sq.km together with princely states of Hunza, Nagar and Baltistan region.

It is a mountainous region with five peaks having more than eight thousand meter height like K2 and Nanga Parbat. This region is home for world’s highest mountain ranges i.e. Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush. Furthermore, world’s three longest glaciers outside Polar region are in GilgitBaltistan i.e. Biafo Glacier, Batura Glacier and Baltoro Glacier.

It is a unique thing about this region that being a small area its climate varies quite a lot. Town areas of Gilgit and Chilas are very hot in Summer yet cooler at night and valleys like Hunza, Nagar, Yasin, Astore, Khaplu and Phunder are cold even in summer. Climate in this region varies after every 35km.

Karakoram Highway is main route to reach GilgitBaltistan. It is almost 580km from Islamabad to Gilgit city. Pakistan International Airlines have also provides 2 flights a day. It takes one hour from Islamabad to Gilgit.

People of this region are tourist friendly and warmly welcome the outsiders.

Baltit Fort

Baltit Fort


Baltit Fort is an ancient fort in the Hunza valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Founded in the 1st CE, since 2004, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list.

In the past, the survival of the feudal regime of Hunza was ensured by the impressive Baltit fort, which overlooks Karimabad. The foundations of the fort date back to 700 years ago, with rebuilds and alterations over the centuries. In the 16th century the local prince married a princess from Baltistan who brought master Balti craftsmen to renovate the building as part of her dowry. The architectural style is a clear indication of buddhist Tibetan influence in Baltistan at the time.

The Mirs of Hunza abandoned the fort in 1945, and moved to a new palace down the hill. The fort started to decay which caused concern that it might possibly fall into ruin. Following a survey by the Royal Geographical Society of London a restoration programme was initiated and supported by the Aga Khan Trust for CultureHistoric Cities Support Programme. The programme was completed in 1996 and the fort is now a museum run by the Baltit Heritage Trust.


Historical background

Baltit Fort, the former residence of the Mirs of Hunza

A view of the Hunza Valley from Baltit Fort in Pakistan

Balti Fort

In the past several small independent states formed part of the history of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Among them Hunza and Nager were traditional rival states, situated on opposite sides of the Hunza (Kanjut) river. The rulers of these two states, Mirs known as Thum (also Tham, Thom or Thámo), built various strongholds to consolidate their power. According to historical sources,[2] the Hunza rulers initially resided in nearby Altit Fort, but after a conflict between the two sons of the ruler Sultan, Shah Abbas (Shάboos) and Ali Khan (Aliqhάn), Shaboos moved to Baltit Fort, making it the capital seat of Hunza. The power struggle between the two brothers eventually resulted in the death of younger one, and so Baltit Fort became the prime seat of power in the Hunza state.

Ayasho II, Thum/Mir of Hunza in the early 15th fifteenth century married Princess Shah Khatoon (Sha Qhatun) from Baltistan (inMoghul history Baltistan is called Tibet Khurd, which means Little Tibet), and was the first to modify the face of Altit and, subsequently Baltit Fort. Baltistan had a very strong cultural and ethnical relation with the Ladakh territory to the east. Not surprisingly, the structure of Baltit Fort was influenced by Ladakhi/Tibetan architecture, with some resemblance to thePotala Palace in Lhasa. Then additions, renovations and changes to the building were being made through the centuries by a long line of following rulers of Hunza.

Home of many ancient forts, the Northern Areas of Pakistan lost some of its heritage around the 19th century as a result of attacks by the Maharaja of Kashmir. However, one of the biggest changes in the structure of the Baltit Fort came with theinvasion of the British in December 1891. Safdarali Khan, ruler of Hunza and his wazir Dadu (Thara Baig III), fled to befriended Kashgar (China) to seek 'political asylum' with their fellows and families. With the conquest of Hunza and Nager states the fortified wall and watch towers of the old Baltit village and watch towers of the Baltit Fort on its north-western end were demolished as required by the British. They installed his younger brother, Sir Muhammad Nazim Khan K.C.I.E, as the ruler of Hunza state in September 1892.


During his reign, Nazeem Khan made several major alterations to the Baltit Fort. He demolished a number of rooms of third floor and added a few rooms in the British colonial style on the front elevation, using lime wash and colour glass panel windows. Baltit Fort remained officially inhabited until 1945, when the last ruler of Hunza, Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan, moved to a new palatial house further down the hill, where the present Mir of Hunza, Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, and his family are still residing.

With no proper authority entrusted the Fort was exposed to the ravages of time and over the years its structure weakened and began to deteriorate. His Highness Aga Khan IV initiated the restoration efforts for Baltit Fort in 1990, when Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan and his family generously transferred the Fort to the Baltit Heritage Trust, a public charity formed for the explicit purpose of owning and maintaining the Fort. The restoration undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Geneva in association with the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (Pakistan), took six years to complete. The project was supported by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture as the main donor through its Historic Cities Support Programme, as well as by the Getty Grant Program (USA), the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperationand the French Government.

The restored Fort, resplendent in its formal regal glory, was inaugurated on September 29, 1996 in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan IV and the president of Pakistan Farooq Ahmad Khan Laghari. It is now operated and maintained by the Baltit Heritage Trust and is open to visitors. The Baltit Fort serves as a good example of culture restored and preserved for future generations.
Awards and recognition[edit]
2005 Time Magazine Asia, Best of Asia Award
2004 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Conservation - Award of Excellence
2000 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards: Global Winner