Skardu District

Skardu District is part of Baltistan and currently constitutes one of the zeven districts of Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is bounded on the southeast by Kargil district (within Indian-administered Kashmir), on the east by Ghanche District, on the northeast by Xinjiang (China), on the south by Baramulla and Kargil District, on the west by district Astore and on the north by Gilgit District.

This area is claimed by some in India as it used to be a part of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir (it was one of the six regions of the State). Skardu town is the capital of Skardu District. As of 1948, Skardu and Baltistan are part of Ladakh province of J&K.

Mountain peaks and glaciers

The highest peak in Skardu District is K2 (8,611 m) which is the highest peak in Pakistan and the second highest peak on earth. The Baltoro Muztagh (the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum (7,821 m) is included in the Skardu District. Askole is the last settlement in the district for all treks to Concordia (the confluence of Baltoro Glacier and Godwen Austen Glacier). The Biafo Glacier and a major part of Hispar Glacier are also included in the Skardu District.Religious Background of Baltistan

The Historical Mosque "Chaqchan Khanqah" located in Khaplu Distt. Ghanche

In the 14th century the Buddhist population of Baltistan, Kargil and some villages of Ladakh converted into Muslim as a result of preaching of Syed Ali Hamdani (714-786 al hija) – a saint and Islamic scholar of Kobravi sufi order followed by preaching of Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh (795-859 alhijra) a disciple of Khawaja Ishaq Khatlani himself the principal successor of Syed Ali Hamdani of same Kubravi Sufi Order. Thus a Muslim society developed first time in the Northern Areas of subcontinent

This Muslim society apart Quran and Sunnah follows Al-Fiqatul Akhwat comprising of legal provisions (furu) and Usool Aitaqadia comprising of principles (Usool-e-Islam) written by Syed Mohammad Nurbakhsh. Therefore they are named Sufia Nurbakshia such as Shia Jafferia and Sunni Hanifia.

Nurbakhshis fundamentally believe in God, angels, holy books, Mohammed and last day judgment with oral declaration of Kalma-e- Shahadatain and practically offering of five time prayers, fasting during Ramdan, Zakattul Mall (charity of wealth) and performance of Hajj, subject to availability of resources.

As interpreted by Arabic Dictionary Ul-Monjid in the Alfiqatul Ahwat a middle way between Shia and Sunni teachings is shown as a Shariat-e-Islmia. Mission of Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh as proclaimed by both Shia and Shinn School of thoughts because of their teachings as introductory page Al-Fiqatul Ahwat has been to unify all different sects of Islam, by following Shria prevailing during abeying the lifetime of Mohammed.

Nurbakhshis are known as peaceful, tolerable and moderates, who not only equally respect other Muslim school of thoughts but also stress upon to behave human beings lovely – In the chapter relating to Mrar-bil- Maroof wa Nahi anil Munkar Alfiqatual Ahwat the aim of Islamic pravaling is defined to be obeying God's order and becoming kind to His creature.

In the Zikharatul Malook by quoting a Saying (HADITH) of Mohammed reported by Hazarat Imam Hussain the prime wisdom after accomplishment of religious duties is to love human beings and without regarding his being good or bed to do good deeds to every one.

Syed Ali Hamdani by quoting a Hadith of Mohammed says that thoe who are protectors of lives and properties of human being are Momin ( real believers) while Syed Mohammad Nurbakhsh says that a Momin ( believer) refrains himself from great sinful deeds ( Gona-e-Kabira) like Shireek, killing/ Murder, docorty theft forgery and cheatings etc.

Syed Ali Hamdani and Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh are claimed by both Shia and Sunni probably because of their teachings stressing upon the Moadat-e- Ahlibeit and the need of following Sunnah of Mohammed apart fiqatual Ahwat permits different style of praying preachers agreeable to Shia and Sunni as optional.

Syed Ali Hamdani wrote about 170 books, pamphlets leaf lets handouts of which about 70 are traced in either published or unpublished shape. Similarly Syed Mohammad Nurbakhsh is an author of about one and half dozen books in Arabic or Persian.

In the Nurbakhshi Mosque called Khanqah adjacent to main praying halls small rooms are provided for the purpose solitary praying (Atikaf). These Khanqahs have been using as a central couching and preaching place by the Nurbakhshia.

It is said that followers of Nurabkhshis Maslak do exist in central Asia specially Tajkistan, Siangkang and Yarqand provinces of China, Turkey Kurdistan and Iran. But present day Nurbakhshis do not have any linkage with Nurabkhshis living in other parts of world out side sub-continent.

Barat Library Khaplu and Suffa Islamic Library Madarasa Shah-e-Hamdan Sufia Noorbakhsh can become main source for searching further detail about Nurbakhshisium.

Deosai National Park

The district also includes almost all of the Deosai National Park (second highest plains after Tibet). Skardu is the district where Indus River enters the Northern Areas of Pakistan from Jammu and Kashmir India.

Other towns

Other towns in the Skardu District include:
* Marol, Faranshat and Gultari near the line of control.
* Parkutta, Shigar, Niyil, Rondu.

Mountain passes

Hispar Pass and Gondoghoro Pass are also in the Skardu District.

Lakes

Some of the lakes in the district are Snow Lake, Satpara Lake, Sheosar Lake, Kachura Lake and Shangrila Lake.

See also

*Districts of Northern Areas
*Northern Areas