Rather than personal anecdotes I think hard infromation should be resorted to.
Are there any local newspapers published from Gilgit or Kashmir in Pakistan the way you can find dozens in Indian Kashmir?
When was the most recent census completed on the litracy and econommic situation in Gilgit by GoP? Do we have details on the ethnic compositions e.t.c.? I think GoP statistics should provide info on these.
Are there any local newspapers published from Gilgit or Kashmir in Pakistan the way you can find dozens in Indian Kashmir?
Donzens of blogs and local print.
here is a good example:
Dardistan Times, News from Gilgit,Baltistan and Chitral Areas Blog - Information, Comments, Reviews
When was the most recent census completed on the litracy and econommic situation in Gilgit by GoP?
According to a Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2006-7:
According to a 1998 census, the adult literacy in Gilgit and Baltistan was about 38 per cent, which has now risen to 53 per cent in 2005-6 (males 64 per cent and females 41 per cent).
This figure is slightly higher than the national figure of 52 per cent in 2006-7 (PSLM, 2006-7). At present Gilgit and Baltistan have a system of education comprising about 2,100 schools or educational institutions, including schools set up by the Federal Government, community-based schools, schools set up by Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) and other NGOs.
Source:
DAWN.COM | Education | Education in Gilgit and Baltistan
Do we have details on the ethnic compositions e.t.c.?
With almost 2 million inhabitants Gilgit-Baltistan is a very diverse region of Pakistan. The population of this new autonomous region is divided in 4 of the Islamic faith - Shia's constitute 35%, Sunnis 35%, Ismailis 25% and Noorbukshies are 5%. Gilgit Baltistan will have 24 constituents seats in the National Assembly plus 6 Women seats and 3 Technocrat seats.
Gilgit-Baltistan is divided into six districts called Hunza-Nager, Gilgit, Koh-e-Ghizer, Ghanche, Diamir and Skardu.
Population :
Gilgit-Baltistan population is very diverse. 35 per cent Shias, 35 per cent are Sunnis, 25 per cent Ismailis, and 5% Noorbukshies .
Ethnic Groups :
There are eight ethnic groups : Baltis, Yashkuns, Moghal, Kashmiris, Pathans, Laddakis and Turks.
Languages :
- The Shina language (with several dialects) is the language of 40% of the population, spoken mainly in Gilgit, throughout Diamer, and in some parts of Ghizer.
- Balti dialect, a sub-dialect of Ladakhi and part of Tibetan language group, is spoken by the entire population of Baltistan.
- Wakhi, spoken in upper Hunza, and in some villages in Ghizer.
- Khowar is the major language of Ghizer.
- Burushaski is an isolated language spoken in Hunza, Nagar, Yasin (where Khowar is also spoken), in some parts of Gilgit and in some villages of Punyal.
- Domaaki is spoken by the musician clans in the region.
- Pashto is also spoken by a small minority.
People who live in Gilgit Baltistan, despite that region's being referred to as part of Kashmir, do not speak Kashmiri or any of its dialects.
Sects and Religious diversity :
The four major religious sects are Sunnies, Shias, Ismailies and Noorbukshies. Sunnies are mostly in Daimer, Astore and Gilgit districts. The majority of Shias are in Skardu. Ganche Division has majority Nurbakhshi
* (80%), Sunnis and Shias are evenly divided with 10%. The Ismalies are mostly in Ghizer district and in Hunza sub-division of Gilgit district.
Population Demographics :
Gilgit District :
Gilgit Capital :
Gilgit city and division 60% Shia, 40% Sunni;,
Nagar II : 100% Ismaili
Nagar I : 100% Shia
Gojal : Sunni, Shia and Ismailis
Aliabad : Sunni, Shia and Ismailis
Ghizar :
Capital : Gahkuch
Hunza 100% Ismaili; ,
Punial 100% Ismaili;
Yasin 100% Ismaili;
Ishkoman 100% Ismaili;
Gupis 100% Ismaili;
District Daimer :
Capital Chilas :
Chilas 100% Sunni;
Darel/Tangir 100% Sunni;
District Astore :
Astor 90%Sunni, 10% Shia;
Baltistan 55% Shia,20% Sunni, 25% Noorbukshies
*
Divisions :
Shigar (Captial Skardu)
Rondu
Gultari : 45% Shias, 30% Sunni, 25% Noorbukshie
*
Kharmang : 45% Shias, 30% Sunni, 25% Noorbukshie
*
District Ganche :
Kaplu : 80 % Noorbukshies
*, 10% Sunnis, 10% Shias
Mashabrum : 80 % Noorbukshies, 10% Sunnis, 10% Shias
Ethnic Run Down of the Gilgit-Baltistan area :
There are eight ethnic groups:
Baltis,
Yashkuns,
Moghal,
Kashmiris,
Pathans,
Laddakis and
Turks.
*(Noorbakshi : An order of Islamic Sufism. The core message of Nurbakhshism are complete elimination of all evil desires and immoralities of human nature from ones self; total submission of ones wills before God (by following the Qur'an Sunnah and Ahlibeit) and finally love and peace for the whole mankind. Nurbakhshis inhabit Baltistan and Ladakh regions of J&K, as well as a large number of Noorbakshis are native to Iran, Kurdistan and Central Asia.)
Source: Demographics of Pakistan., Muhammad Faizan Kamran (7/7/2009), PP. 20-24