Historically, Shandur remained under the princely control of Raja Gohar Aman of Yasin and has always been an integral part of the state of Yasin and (Kohe Ghizer). It has been a proprietary right of the people of Golaghmuli (upper-part of Koh-e-Ghizer), Gilgitt Baltistan. However, owing to the scarcity of vegetation on the other side of the boundary drawn by Lt. Col. A.G. Durand, only 144 progeny of Brook and Balim villages of Chitral (Khyber PukhtoonKhua) were allowed to graze their cattle on certain conditions, temporarily for two month in summer season, similar to that as cattle of Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan (Horses, yolks, cows etc) are sent to Bashkar-goal of Chitral for free-grazing in summer according to the old local custom of both the Regions.
Lt: Col. A.G Durand fixed the boundaries of Ghizer and Chitral according to the universally acknowledged principle of watershed, which is also the basis for fixation of the other international boundary-lines between Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kashmir and USSR. AG Durand’s boundary line confirmed by the then Survey Department of British India map No.42H published in 1929 under the title “AFGHANISTAN, GILGIT AGENCY, NWFP PROVINCE, USSR” where Shandur Lake is shown within the limits of Northern Areas and the watershed declared as the boundary between Chitral district and Ghizer District. Another map bearing No.42/D12 published by the Survey of Pakistan in 1984 also confirms Shandur boundary as fixed by A.G. Durand and the Shandur Lake shown at 1.5 KM from the Indus Watershed (boundary) within the limits of Northern Areas. After fixing boundary between Chitral and Ghizer the British Political Agent based at Gilgit constructed a Polo Ground within the limits of Gilgit Baltistan(one and half KM from the watershed boundary), and used to arrange annual polo matches between the then Gilgit Agency vs. the Chitral State.
As the British Government had control of the Gilgit Agency as well as the state of Chitral in 1889, they thought it necessary to establish smooth relationship between these areas and secure them from outside invasions/influences. Towards this end A.G. Durand, the then Political Agent of Gilgit Agency (July 1889 to Nov. 1893) submitted a detailed report with the title “Relations with Chitral” in July 1892 where in Section-20, he clearly fixed the boundary-line between Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, as under:
“To the east and south, the Mehtar’s territory is bounded by the watershed of the Indus, Here again we have no difficulty, the tribes beyond the mountains, Pathan or Sheen, are shut out by almost impenetrable barriers from Chitral, and may be left out of account. Between Punyal, the continuation westward of the Gilgit valley and Chitral the boundary is fixed.”
There is no question about the boundary-line between Chitral (Khyber PukhtoonKhua) and Ghizer (Gilgit Baltistan). Khyber PukhtoonKhua invaded Gilgit Baltistan territory and it is our right to defend our territory. I personally support Chief Minister Mr. Mehdi Shah’s stand on this issue. By boycotting the festival we are sending a message to Khyber PukhtoonKhua administration that it’s time to sit down and resolve our differences peacefully and come up with a solution that is acceptable for both parties and which may create opportunities to both sides of the boundary.
Historically, Shandur remained under the princely control of Raja Gohar Aman of Yasin and has always been an integral part of the state of Yasin and (Kohe Ghizer). It has been a proprietary right of the people of Golaghmuli (upper-part of Koh-e-Ghizer), Gilgitt Baltistan. However, owing to the scarcity of vegetation on the other side of the boundary drawn by Lt. Col. A.G. Durand, only 144 progeny of Brook and Balim villages of Chitral (Khyber PukhtoonKhua) were allowed to graze their cattle on certain conditions, temporarily for two month in summer season, similar to that as cattle of Ghizer, Gilgit Baltistan (Horses, yolks, cows etc) are sent to Bashkar-goal of Chitral for free-grazing in summer according to the old local custom of both the Regions.
Lt: Col. A.G Durand fixed the boundaries of Ghizer and Chitral according to the universally acknowledged principle of watershed, which is also the basis for fixation of the other international boundary-lines between Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Kashmir and USSR. AG Durand’s boundary line confirmed by the then Survey Department of British India map No.42H published in 1929 under the title “AFGHANISTAN, GILGIT AGENCY, NWFP PROVINCE, USSR” where Shandur Lake is shown within the limits of Northern Areas and the watershed declared as the boundary between Chitral district and Ghizer District. Another map bearing No.42/D12 published by the Survey of Pakistan in 1984 also confirms Shandur boundary as fixed by A.G. Durand and the Shandur Lake shown at 1.5 KM from the Indus Watershed (boundary) within the limits of Northern Areas. After fixing boundary between Chitral and Ghizer the British Political Agent based at Gilgit constructed a Polo Ground within the limits of Gilgit Baltistan(one and half KM from the watershed boundary), and used to arrange annual polo matches between the then Gilgit Agency vs. the Chitral State.
As the British Government had control of the Gilgit Agency as well as the state of Chitral in 1889, they thought it necessary to establish smooth relationship between these areas and secure them from outside invasions/influences. Towards this end A.G. Durand, the then Political Agent of Gilgit Agency (July 1889 to Nov. 1893) submitted a detailed report with the title “Relations with Chitral” in July 1892 where in Section-20, he clearly fixed the boundary-line between Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, as under:
“To the east and south, the Mehtar’s territory is bounded by the watershed of the Indus, Here again we have no difficulty, the tribes beyond the mountains, Pathan or Sheen, are shut out by almost impenetrable barriers from Chitral, and may be left out of account. Between Punyal, the continuation westward of the Gilgit valley and Chitral the boundary is fixed.”
There is no question about the boundary-line between Chitral (Khyber PukhtoonKhua) and Ghizer (Gilgit Baltistan). Khyber PukhtoonKhua invaded Gilgit Baltistan territory and it is our right to defend our territory. I personally support Chief Minister Mr. Mehdi Shah’s stand on this issue. By boycotting the festival we are sending a message to Khyber PukhtoonKhua administration that it’s time to sit down and resolve our differences peacefully and come up with a solution that is acceptable for both parties and which may create opportunities to both sides of the boundary.