History of Gilgit Baltistan
Gilgit Baltistan is located in between mighty mountains of Karakoram, Himalayas, Hindukush and Pamir. It borders India, Afghanistan, China, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Azad Kashmir.
The ancient history of Gilgit Baltistan can be traced back from rock inscriptions located in Chilas, Hunza,Gilgit, Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu and many areas of Gilgit Baltistan.
Gilgit Baltistan was mentioned as Pololo in Chinese history. The present day Baltistan was called Great Pololo and Gilgit-Hunza were called Mini Pololo. The chinese historian Faxian passed through Pololo when he visited Gandahara in search of Buddhist texts.
Gilgit Baltistan was part of Great Tibetan dynasty in 7th century. Although Balti people are ethnically Tibetan but they were never under Lhasa untill 7th century when Lhasa extended Tibetan empire almost half of Asia including Central Asia ,most parts of China, Bhutan, Nepal and Burma.
In 1947 Gilgit Baltistan is liberated by Gilgit scouts, local people and 6th jammu and kashmir infantry unit. This war was lead by Col Mirza Hassan Khan of Gilgit. These rebels crated a new state namely Islamic State of Gilgit on 1st November 1947. After 15 days of liberation Pakistan took over the region on behalf of some local Rajas and Mirs. Pakistan imposed FCR on this region and a political agent appointed.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto abolished FCR in 1974 and named this region Northern Areas of Pakistan. In 2009 peoples party passed Gilgit Baltistan self governance order. This creates a new assembly namely Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA), GB Council, a chief minister, governor and few ministers.
In 2018 Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018 signed by president of Pakistan and passed despite the protests by local people. According to this new order GBLA is renamed as GB Assembly. GB council is made just an advisory body. GB assembly is given authority to legislate on all subjects except 68 federal subjects.