The name “Kashmir” is known around the world. It brings to mind beautiful nature. It also brings to mind a long and deep political fight. The area is often in the news. But many people are still confused about what is happening there. Most people know the land is divided. But they do not know the details. This guide gives a clear, factual answer. It answers the question: Which part of Kashmir does Pakistan control? It goes beyond simple labels to give a full picture of this disputed territory.
People often talk about the part of Kashmir that Pakistan runs. They show it as one single place. This is a big mistake. This article will fix that wrong idea. We will name the two main areas in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. They are very different from each other. We will explain how they are run. We will also clear up the confusing political words used to talk about them. This will give you the history and human facts you need for a full understanding.
Check our Kashmir Tour Packages.
A Divided Past: Why Kashmir’s Disputed Borders Matter
To understand today’s borders, you must see the past. Before 1947, the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir was one large land. A Maharaja ruled it. It was home to many different peoples, languages, and faiths. Three different countries now run parts of this old state.
Its location is very important. The old state sits at a key crossroads. It borders modern Pakistan, India, China, and a small part of Afghanistan. This spot puts it at the heart of safety in South and Central Asia. The world watches the disputed territory closely because its problems can affect many countries.
Understanding these borders is not just for study. It helps you understand the news. It helps you see the difficult ties between India and Pakistan. Both have nuclear arms. Most of all, it helps you understand the lives of millions of people who live in these divided lands. If you miss the details about which part of Kashmir Pakistan controls, you will misunderstand the whole conflict.
The Two Regions Pakistan Controls in Kashmir
Here is the simple answer. Pakistan runs two separate areas that were part of the old Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. People often mix them up. But these parts of Kashmir administered by Pakistan have different names, histories, and governments.
(The map with this article shows the areas we discuss. It will help you see: 1) Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 2) Gilgit-Baltistan, 3) Indian-run Jammu and Kashmir, 4) Indian-run Ladakh, 5) The Line of Control (LoC), 6) Aksai Chin (run by China), and 7) the Shaksgam Valley.)
Area 1: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
The first area is Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). “Azad” is an Urdu word for “Free.” The name shows Pakistan’s view of the Kashmir fight. It suggests this land is the “free” part of the old state.
How It Is Run
Pakistan sees AJK as a self-governing state. It is not a true province of Pakistan. This special status means it has its own:
- Elected President (head of state)
- Elected Prime Minister (head of government)
- Law-making body (Legislative Assembly)
But this freedom is limited. The AJK government handles local issues. But Pakistan’s government in Islamabad controls key powers like defense, money, and foreign relations. A group called the Kashmir Council, led by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, has great power over AJK’s laws and government. This creates a complex way of sharing power in this part of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir.
Key Facts
- Capital: Muzaffarabad
- Major Cities: Mirpur, Rawalakot, Kotli
- Land: The area is mostly hills and low mountains. It shares culture and land features with the nearby Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces of Pakistan.
Area 2: Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
The second area is Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). It is much bigger than AJK. For many years after 1947, people called it the “Northern Areas.” Pakistan’s main government ran it directly. Local people had little power.
How It Is Run
The status of Gilgit-Baltistan has changed. A 2009 order gave the area its current name. It also granted it a status like a province. It now has its own elected assembly and a chief minister. But it is still not a full province of Pakistan.
This is done on purpose. Pakistan’s main view is that all of Jammu and Kashmir is disputed land. Its future must be set by United Nations resolutions calling for a vote. If Pakistan made GB a full province, it could weaken that claim. In recent years, some in Pakistan have talked about giving GB “provisional provincial status.” People in GB want more rights and a voice in government. The area is also key to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a huge project that runs right through it.
Key Facts
- Capital: Gilgit
- Major Areas: Skardu, Hunza Valley, Shigar
- Land: GB is a land of giant mountains. It is home to some of the world’s highest peaks, like K2. The land is huge, rough, and has high deserts, big glaciers, and tall mountains.
The Line of Control (LoC): A Military Line, Not a Border
The Line of Control (LoC) separates the Pakistani-run areas from the Indian-run areas. It is important to know what the LoC is. It is not a world-approved border. It is a military control line. It is the real border between the two countries in Kashmir today.
Where It Came From
The LoC started as a ceasefire line. The Karachi Agreement of 1949 set this line. That deal ended the First Kashmir War. For over 20 years, it was just the Ceasefire Line. After the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, the two sides signed the Simla Agreement in 1972. They renamed the line the “Line of Control.” They promised to respect it, but it did not change their claims to the land.
The LoC is a temporary, armed line. It is not a final border. This is the legal and political core of the dispute. The line shows that the armies are at a standstill. But it leaves the big question of who owns the land unanswered.
History: How the Division of Kashmir Began
Today’s borders come from the major events of 1947.
- The Partition of India: British rule ended. The Indian subcontinent split into India and Pakistan. Rulers of over 500 princely states could choose to join either country.
- The Maharaja’s Choice: The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir was Maharaja Hari Singh. He was a Hindu who ruled a mostly Muslim people. He hoped to stay independent. But in October 1947, tribesmen from Pakistan invaded. They wanted to force the state to join Pakistan.
- Joining India and War: The Maharaja’s army was failing. He asked India for military help. He signed a paper to join India on October 26, 1947. Indian soldiers flew to Srinagar. This led to the First Kashmir War (1947-48) between India and Pakistan.
- The Ceasefire: The UN helped arrange a ceasefire. The war ended on January 1, 1949. The ceasefire line left about two-thirds of the old state under Indian control. It left one-third under Pakistani control. That division has mostly stayed the same ever since.
China’s Role: The Third Piece of the Map
You cannot understand the Kashmir divide without China.
- Aksai Chin: China fought a war with India in 1962. After the war, China took control of a large, high desert area in the northeast. This area is called Aksai Chin. India still claims it as part of its Ladakh territory.
- Shaksgam Valley: In 1963, Pakistan and China signed a border deal. Pakistan gave a part of Gilgit-Baltistan to China. This area is called the Shaksgam Valley. India does not accept this deal. India claims the valley as part of its own land.
This history shows that three countries, not two, now run parts of the old princely state.
The People and Places of Pakistan-Administered Kashmir
The people in these areas are very diverse. We lose this fact when we group them together under one name.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
The people of AJK have different ethnic roots and languages than the people of the Kashmir Valley (on the Indian side). The main groups include:
- Pahari-Pothwari speakers: This is the largest group. They have strong cultural ties to the Pothohar region of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
- Gujjar and Bakerwal groups: These groups traditionally raise animals and move with their herds.
- Sudhan groups: This is a key group with a strong history as fighters.
The main point is that the word “Kashmiri” (meaning a person who speaks the Koshur language) does not fit most people in AJK.
Gilgit-Baltistan (GB)
Gilgit-Baltistan has more languages than almost anywhere in the world. It is a mix of peoples and tongues. It is very different from AJK and the Kashmir Valley. Key groups include:
- Shina speakers: Found mainly in Gilgit, Diamer, and nearby valleys.
- Balti speakers: Live in the Baltistan area, including Skardu. These people have Tibetic roots. Their language is a form of Tibetan.
- Burushaski speakers: Live in the Hunza and Yasin valleys. Their language is a “language isolate.” This means it has no known family links to any other language in the world.
This great diversity shows that Gilgit-Baltistan has its own unique culture. It stands apart from the rest of the old Kashmir state.
Common Mistakes About the Status of Kashmir
To see this topic clearly, you must avoid a few common wrong ideas.
Mistake 1: Mixing Up Control with Legal Ownership
The biggest error is to think running a place means you own it by law. Pakistan runs AJK and GB. India runs Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. But both countries claim the whole old princely state. Their control is the reality on the ground. But the legal status of the whole region is still the core of the fight.
Mistake 2: Seeing the LoC as a Real Border
Many people, even reporters and map-makers, show the Line of Control as a final border. This gives the wrong idea. It is a temporary military line. That is why there is always a risk of fighting. To treat it as a final border ignores the claims of both sides. It also ignores that the fight is not over.
Mistake 3: Using Political or Wrong Words
Words are a battleground in the Kashmir conflict. Knowing the terms helps you spot a point of view.
- Pakistan-administered Kashmir: This is a neutral, clear term. The United Nations and major world news groups use it. It describes the situation (who runs it) without taking a side. This is the best term for a fair view.
- Azad Kashmir (Free Kashmir): This is the official name Pakistan uses. It is a political term. It presents the area as “freed” to fit Pakistan’s story.
- Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK): This is the official term India uses. It is also a political term. India uses it to claim the land and to frame Pakistan’s role as an illegal occupation. India often uses “POK” to mean both AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
A 5-Point Checklist to Understand Pakistani-Administered Kashmir
Keep these five points in mind for a clear view:
- Name Both Regions: When you talk about Pakistan’s role in Kashmir, mention both Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). They are not the same.
- Use Neutral Words: For a clear and fair view, use “Pakistan-administered Kashmir” and “Indian-administered Kashmir.” Know that terms like “POK” and “Azad Kashmir” are political.
- The LoC is a Line, Not a Border: It is a military ceasefire line. It is not a final international border. This difference is the core of the tension.
- Know About the Third Country: A full picture must include the areas China runs: Aksai Chin and the Shaksgam Valley.
- Think About People, Not Just Politics: Remember the different ethnic and language groups in AJK and GB. They are culturally different from each other and from the people in the Indian-run Kashmir Valley.
Our Promise: Facts and a Fair View
We wrote this article with a strong focus on facts and fairness. Our goal is not to support a political side. It is to give you the clear information you need to understand a difficult topic. By using fair and simple words, we want to give you a base of facts. This will help you have a smarter, deeper talk about Kashmir.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What part of Kashmir is in India?
A: India runs two areas from the old princely state. They are the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (with the Kashmir Valley and Jammu area) and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Q2: Is Kashmir a country?
A: No. The old region of Kashmir is not a country. The UN does not see it as one. It is a disputed land run in parts by three countries: India, Pakistan, and China.
Q3: What does “POK” mean and who uses it?
A: “POK” stands for “Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.” It is the official term the Indian government and Indian news use. They use it for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to show India’s claim to the land.
Q4: What about the part of Kashmir that China controls?
A: China runs two main areas from the old Kashmir region. The first is Aksai Chin, a large land it took from India in the 1962 war. The second is the Shaksgam Valley, which Pakistan gave to China in a 1963 border deal.
Q5: What is CPEC and why is it important to Gilgit-Baltistan?
A: CPEC is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It is a huge project for building roads and creating jobs. Its main land route, the Karakoram Highway, goes through Gilgit-Baltistan. This makes GB very important to both Pakistan and China. It is a big reason for talks to make GB’s status inside Pakistan more official.
Q6: Are people in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan citizens of Pakistan?
A: This is a complex legal question. People from AJK and GB use Pakistani passports. They are part of the Pakistani state system. But their official status is unclear. AJK has its own rules for who belongs to the state. Because the land is disputed, they do not have a voice in Pakistan’s Parliament like citizens from the four official provinces.
Conclusion: A Clearer View on the Part of Kashmir Pakistan Controls
The answer to “which part of Kashmir is in Pakistan” is not a single name. The land Pakistan runs has two parts. One is the self-governing state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The other is the northern area of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). These areas have different governments, lands, and peoples. This makes them different from each other and from the parts of Kashmir that India runs.
Understanding this key difference is the first step. You also need to know about the Line of Control and the claims of all three nations. This knowledge will help you move past simple news headlines. The political future of Kashmir is one of the hardest problems in the world. But a clear view of how it is run today is the only solid place to start any real discussion.