The genetic composition of Shina population from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan based on mtDNA analyses.

The present study aimed to gain insight into the genetic origin of the Shina population from Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. We partially performed the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of healthy unrelated individuals of Shina tribe residing in the remote area of Gilgit-Baltistan to investigate their maternal lineages. The present study is the first report about Shina's genetic structure, origin, and relationship with the surrounding north-western Pakistani population.