What is Trans-Karakoram Tract?
[[Image:Shaksgam.png|thumb|map of the boundary agreement between China and Pakistan]] The '''Trans-Karakoram Tract''' is an area of approximately 5,300&nbsp;[[Square kilometre|km²]] that was transferred by a border agreement from the Pakistani-administered [[Northern Areas]] to [[China]] in [[1963]] with the proviso that the settlement was subject to the final solution of the [[Kashmir]] dispute. [[Pakistan]] says that it was a no-man's undemarcated border land, hence no question arises of its being transferred. It is claimed by [[India]] as part of the state of [[Jammu and Kashmir]]. The tract, called '''Shaksgam''', is technically part of Shigar, a valley of [[Baltistan District|Baltistan region]] of [[Ladakh]] Province. The Raja of Shigar controlled this land until [[1971]], when Pakistan abolished the Raja government system. A polo ground in Shaksgam was built by the Amacha Royal family of Shigar, and the Rajas of Shigar used to invite the Amirs of Yarkand to play polo there. All the names of the mountains, lakes, rivers and passes are in Balti/Ladakhi, suggesting that this land has been part of Baltistan/Ladakh province for a long time. The Tract is one of the most inhospitable areas of the world, with some of the highest mountains including [[Broad Peak]], Gasherbrum and Masherbrum, and is adjacent to the highest battlefield in the world at [[Siachen Glacier]]. {{Administrative divisions of Azad Kashmir}} {{multistub|Geo|Asia}} [[Category:Valleys]] [[Category:Kashmir]] [[Category:Territorial disputes of India]] [[Category:Geography of the People's Republic of China]]