Background

In Pakistan, census figures are treated asofficial secrets due to frequent clashes due to differences over the exactfigures of the populations of different ethnic and sectarian groups. Thepopulation of the POK is 3,271,000, that is, about 3.3 million. India's J&Khas a population of 10.1 million.

Languages/dialects spoken: Brushaski is spoken in Hunza, Nagir, Yasin, someparts of Gilgit, and some villages of Punyal.  Shina  in differentdialacts is  spoken mainly in Gilgit, throughout Diamir, and most of theareas of Ghizar. Balti  is spoken by the entire population of Baltistanexcept some villages. Wakhi is spoken in upper Hunza and some villages in Ghizar, and Khwar is spoken by some Khwar families inGhizar. None of theselanguages are related to each other.

Landmark Agreements:

• According to an agreement dated 28th April 1949, with the government of the POK, the subjects  of defence, foreign affairs, security, currency and the control of Gilgit and Baltistan were transferred  to the government of Pakistan.This agreement is known as the "Karachi Agreement".
  
• In 1963, China and Pakistan signed a boundary agreement known as the China-Pakistan Final Agreement in respect of the demarcation of the Xinjiang-Kashmir border. In this agreement,  the Northern Areas were shown as disputed areas and admitted as a part of the Jammu and Kashmir State. Under this agreement,  the government of Pakistan handed over the Shaksgam area (5,800 sq. kms)  of Baltistan to China. Later, both the governments signed an agreement stating as follows:".The two parties have agreed that after the settlement of the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, the sovereign authority concerned will reopen negotiations with the government of the Peoples' Republic of China on the boundary, as described in Article II of the present agreement, of Kashmir so as to sign a boundary treaty to replace the present agreement."

• The literacy rate is 14 per cent for men and 3.5 per cent for women.
  
• There is just one doctor for 6,000 people.
  
• Piped water supply is non-existent. So is electricity for more than two thirds of the population of the area.
  
• Except for some brick kilns there is no ‘industry’ in the area.
  
• There are only two colleges in the area. There is not a single polytechnic.