Balawaristan


Balawaristan is the historical name of Gilgit-Baltistan that has regained some prevalence in recent years through political movements in Pakistan. The archaic English spelling for the name was Boloristan or Baloristan, and its first known documented usage is in Chinese sources from the 8th century AD. Balawaristan includes Chitral, Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Ishkoman, Punial and Yasin. In addition, the regions of Baltistan, Ladakh are also considered to be a part of Balawaristan by the nationalist parties of Gilgit.

Origins of the name

The name is originated from Polore. Polore was an ancient state consisting of Baltistan, Gilgit, Ladakh, Chitral and Kohistan. Chinese historian Faxian mentioned it as Pololo. Arab historians mentioned it as Blore. The people of this region have historically been referred to as Balawars, which is said to have come from the term Bala, which means high, a reference to the high-altitudes prevalent in this area. An alternative theory links the name to a mythic ancient king called Bolor Shah, who had first united the region and from whom local rulers in turn often claimed descent. Yet a third theory was proposed by the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research of Pakistan that "the name is most probably derived from the title Patola, the Buddhist royal dynasty which was powerful in the region from to 8th centuries AD."
Historically, the Baltistan region was called "Great Bolor" and Dardistan and parts of Brooshal were called "Little Bolor." Great Boloristan is known to have sent ambassadors to the Chinese court.

Political status movements

In more recent times, the name Balawaristan is found used by minor political party like Balawaristan National Front led by Nawaz Khan Naji. The party is seeking to declare Gilgit-Baltistan a province of Pakistan. It also wants to give the people of Gilgit Baltistan representation in the Pakistani National Assembly and Senate, and to extend the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to the region.
Some Balawar groups, such as the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, have limited their demands to total autonomy and a respect for their distinctiveness.
The Balawaristan National Students Organisation, in April 2008, raised a demand for Balawaristan to be constituted into the fifth province of Pakistan.
However, Balawaristan National Front-Hameed Group led by Abdul Hamid Khan had demanded independence of Balwaristan region from Pakistan. BNF-H led by Abdul Hamid Khan was the only group in Pakistan who was seeking independence of Balawaristan region. However, Abdul Hamid Khan had unconditionally surrender to Pakistan security officials on 8 February 2019. Since Abdul Hamid Khan surrender, no group or individual has asked for independence of Balwaristan region. The fate of Balawaristan National Front is also unknown.