Azad Jammu and Kashmir Profile by Directory Pakistan.

Introduction to Valley:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir abbreviated as AJK and colloquially referred to as simply Azad Kashmir, is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity and constituting the western portion of the larger Kashmir region, which has been the subject of a dispute between India and Pakistan since 1947 The territory shares a border to the north with Gilgit-Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organizations as Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Azad Kashmir also shares borders with the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the south and west, respectively. On its eastern side, Azad Kashmir is separated from the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (part of Indian-administered Kashmir) by the Line of Control (LoC), which serves as the de facto border between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir

Azad Kashmir, also called Azad Jammu and Kashmir, area of the Pakistani-administered sector of the Kashmir region, in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. Azad (“Free”) Kashmir, established in 1947 after the partition of India, is neither a province nor an agency of Pakistan but has a government of its own that is regarded by Pakistan as “independent,” even though it is protected by and economically and administratively linked to Pakistan. It has an area of approximately 650 square miles (1,680 square km) and consists of an arc of territory bordering the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the east, the Pakistani provinces of Punjab to the south and southwest and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the west, and the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistani-administered Kashmir to the north.

Capital Of  AJ&K:

Muzaffarabad is the capital and largest city of Azad Kashmir, and the 60th largest in Pakistan. The city is located in Muzaffarabad District, near the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers.

 Kashmiri Liberation Flag:

The flag was adopted on 24 September 1975 via the Azad Jammu and Kashmir State Flag Ordinance, passed by founding President Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan. It was designed in 1948 by Abdul Haq Mirza, a mujahid working at the Rawalpindi headquarters of the Azad Kashmir rebellion, as the “Kashmir Liberation Flag”.

History and Old Names:

Jinjahell was the first capital of Azad Kashmir and is about 20 Kilometers away from Pallandri. It is at an elevation of 1372 meters and is 97 km (60 mi) from Rawalpindi via Azad Pattan.

That land came to be known as Kashyapamar and, later, Kashmir.

History of Azad Kashmir

It is part of the Kashmir region administered by Pakistan, is related to the history of the Kashmir region during the Dogra rule. Azad Kashmir borders the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the south and west respectively, Gilgit–Baltistan to the north, and the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the east.

At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, the British abandoned their suzerainty over the princely states, which were left with the options of joining India or Pakistan or remaining independent. Hari Singh, the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, chose to remain independent, offering to sign standstill agreements with both the dominions.

In the spring of 1947, an uprising against the Maharaja had broken out in Poonch, an area bordering the Rawalpindi division of the West Punjab. Maharaja’s administration is said to have started levying punitive taxes on the peasantry which provoked a local revolt and the administration resorted to brutal suppression. The area’s population, full of recently demobilized soldiers from the Second World War, rebelled against the Maharaja’s forces and gained control of almost the entire district. Today they’re none. Following this victory, the pro-Pakistan chieftains of the western Jammu districts of Muzaffarabad, Poonch and Mirpur proclaimed a provisional Azad Jammu and Kashmir government in Pallandri on 24 October 1947.

On 21 October, several thousand Pashtun tribesmen from the North-West Frontier Province poured into Jammu and Kashmir in order to liberate it from the Maharaja’s rule. They were led by experienced military leaders and were equipped with modern arms. The Maharaja’s crumbling forces were unable to withstand the onslaught. The raiders captured the towns of Muzaffarabad and Baramulla, the latter just twenty miles northwest of the State’s capital Srinagar. On 24 October, the Maharaja requested the military assistance of India, which responded that it was unable to help him unless he acceded to India. Accordingly, on 26 October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed an Instrument of Accession, handing over control of defender..Fighting ensued between the Indian and Pakistani armies, with the two areas of control stabilized, more or less, around what is now known as the “Line of Control”.

Claims of Different States:

India claims the entire erstwhile British Indian princely state of Jammu and Kashmir based on an instrument of accession signed in 1947. Pakistan claims most of the region based on its Muslim-majority population, whereas China claims the largely uninhabited regions of Aksai Chin and the Shaksgam Valley.

Mountains Reign and Surrounding Areas:

Northern Azad Kashmir comprises foothills of the Himalayas rising to Jamgarh Peak (15,531 feet [4,734 metres]); south of this are the northwestern reaches of the Pir Panjal Range, which has an average crest line of 12,500 feet (3,800 metres). The region is in the subduction zone at the most northerly extension of the Indian-Australian .

Jehlum River:

The Jhelum River and its upper tributaries, including the Punch River, have cut deeply incised and terraced valleys through these mountain ranges; the Jhelum also constitutes most of the western boundary of Azad Kashmir. The southern part of the territory consists of a narrow zone of plains country in the Punch region that is characterized by interlocking sandy alluvial fans. Thorn scrub and coarse grass are the dominant forms of vegetation in the south; this scrubland gives way to pine forests at higher elevations in the north. The State of Jammu and Kashmir embodies the poetry of nature, which no human language can interpret in words. Majestic ice-capped mountains, verdant woods, lively rivers, and placid lakes form the landscape of the state. Its snow-covered peaks, dense forests, winding rivers, turbulent foaming streams, wheat scented valleys, velvet green plateaus and climate varying from arctic to tropical, all join together to make it an excellent tourist attraction. Valleys like Neelum, Jhelum, Leepa, Sudhan Gali, Mehmood Gali, Devi Gali, Ganga Choti, Rawalakot, Banjonsa, Valley Binah, Khoi Ratta, Tata Pani, Samahni, Mangla lake and Baghsar unfold delightful scenic beauty and provide a feast of pleasure to a discerning tourist’s eyes.

Azad Kashmir is also blessed with a varied mountainous landscape ranging from low hills to high mountains (2000 to 6000 meters) most suitable for soft to medium adventure tourism. The area provides excellent opportunities for rock climbing, trekking, mountaineering, summer camping, and hikes. Moreover blessed with a large number of rivers and streams.

Form of Government:

The territory has a parliamentary form of government modelled after the British Westminster system, with the city of Muzaffarabad serving as its capital. The President of AJK is the constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister, supported by a Council of Ministers, is the chief executive. The unicameral Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly elects both the Prime Minister and President. The territory has its own Supreme Court and a High Court, while the Government of Pakistan’s Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan serves as a link between itself and Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s government, although the autonomous territory is not represented in the Parliament of Pakistan.

The northern part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir encompasses the lower area of the Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak (4,734 m or 15,531 ft). However, Sarwali Peak (6326 m) in Neelum Valley is the highest peak in the state.

Rainfall in Region:

The region receives rainfall in both the winter and the summer. Muzaffarabad and Pattan are among the wettest areas of Pakistan. Throughout most of the region, the average rainfall exceeds 1400 mm, with the highest average rainfall occurring near Muzaffarabad (around 1800 mm). During the summer season, monsoon floods of the rivers Jhelum and Leepa are common due to extreme rains and snow melting.

The southern parts of Azad Kashmir, including the Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli districts, have extremely hot weather in the summer and moderate cold weather in the winter. They receive rain mostly in monsoon weather.

 (Paddy field in Leepa valley)

In the central and northern parts of the state, the weather remains moderately hot in the summer and cold and chilly in the winter. Snowfall also occurs there in December and January

The region receives rainfall in both the winter and the summer. Muzaffarabad and Pattan are among the wettest areas of the state, but they don’t receive snow. Throughout most of the region, the average rainfall exceeds 1400 mm, with the highest average rainfall occurring near Muzaffarabad (around 1800 mm). During summer, monsoon floods of the Jhelum and Leepa rivers are common, due to high rainfall and melting snow.

After Partition:

At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, the British abandoned their suzerainty over the princely states, which were left with the options of joining India or Pakistan or remaining independent. Hari Singh, the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, wanted his state to remain independent. Muslims in the western districts of the Jammu province (current day Azad Kashmir) and in the Frontier Districts province (current day Gilgit-Baltistan) had wanted to join Pakistan

In Spring 1947, an uprising against the maharaja broke out in Poonch, an area bordering the Rawalpindi division of West Punjab. The maharaja’s administration is said to have started levying punitive taxes on the peasantry which provoked a local revolt and the administration resorted to brutal suppression. The area’s population, swelled by recently demobilised soldiers following World War II, rebelled against the maharaja’s forces and gained control of almost the entire district.  

Azad Kashmir’s financial matters, i.e., budget and tax affairs, are dealt with by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council rather than by Pakistan’s Central Board of Revenue. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council is a supreme body consisting of 14 members, 8 from the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and 6 from the government of Pakistan. Its chairman/chief executive is the prime minister of Pakistan. Other members of the council are the president and the prime minister of Azad Kashmir (or an individual nominated by her/him) and 6 members of the AJK Legislative Assembly. Azad Kashmir Day is celebrated in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on October 24, which is the day that the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government was created in 1947. Pakistan has celebrated Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Consequently, having little to fear from a pro-Pakistan population devoid of options,Pakistan imposed its will through the Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and failed to empower the people of Azad Kashmir, allowing genuine self-government for only a short period in the 1970s. According to the interim constitution that was drawn up in the 1970s, the only political parties that are allowed to exist are those that pay allegiance to Pakistan: “No person or political party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir shall be permitted… activities prejudicial or detrimental to the State’s accession to Pakistan 

Administrative divisions

Districts of Azad Kashmir

The state is administratively divided into three divisions which, in turn, are divided into ten districts.

Population

The population of Azad Kashmir, according to the preliminary results of the 2017 Census, is 4.045 million The website of the AJK government reports the literacy rate to be 74%, with the enrolment rate in primary school being 98% and 90% for boys and girls respectively

The population of Azad Kashmir is almost entirely Muslim. The people of this region culturally differ from the Kashmiris living in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir and are closer to the culture of Jammu. Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber are all old towns of the Jammu region.

Religion

Azad Jammu and Kashmir has an almost entirely Muslim population. According to data maintained by Christian community organizations, there are around 4,500 Christian residents in the region. Bhimber is home to most of them, followed by Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. A few dozen families also live in Kotli, Poonch, and Bagh. However, the Christian community has been struggling to get residential status and property rights in AJK. There is no official data on the total number of Bahais in AJK. Only six Bahai families are known to be living in Muzaffarabad with others living in rural areas. The followers of the Ahmadi faith are estimated to be somewhere between 20,000 and 25,000, and most of them live in Kotli, Mirpur, Bhimber, and Muzaffarabad.

Ethnic Groups

Christopher Snedden writes that most of the native residents of Azad Kashmir are not of Kashmiri ethnicity; rather, they could be called “Jammuites” due to their historical and cultural links with that region, which is coterminous with neighbouring Punjab and Hazara. Because their region was formerly a part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and is named after it, many Azad Kashmiris have adopted the “Kashmiri” identity, whereas in an ethnolinguistic context, the term “Kashmiri” would ordinarily refer to natives of the Kashmir Valley region The population of Azad Kashmir has strong historical, cultural and linguistic affinities with the neighbouring populations of upper Punjab and Potohar region of Pakistan, whereas the Sudhans have the oral tradition of the Pashtuns.

Languages

Languages by approximate number of speakers

  Pahari-Pothwari (68%)

  Gojri (19%)

  Kashmiri (5%)

  Others (8%)

The official language of Azad Kashmir is Urdu while English is used in higher domains. The majority of the population, however, are native speakers of other languages. The foremost among these is Pahari–Pothwari with its various dialects. There are also sizeable communities speaking Kashmiri (mostly in the north), Gujari (throughout the territory), and Dogri (in the south), as well as pockets of speakers of Kundal Shahi, Shina and Pashto. With the exception of Pashto and English, those languages belong to the Indo-Aryan language family.

Transport:

CNG auto rickshaws are very popular mode of transport for short routes within the city. The city’s transport system links it to a number of destinations in Azad Kashmir notably Bhimber, Jatlan, Chakswari, Dadyal, Kotli and Khoi Ratta and to major cities in Pakistan as well as including services to Gujrat, Jhelum, Kharian, Gujranwala, Lahore and Rawalpindi. There is no railway station in Mirpur. The closest station is in Dina. The promise of a rail extension to Mirpur has not been fulfilled.

Islamabad Airport, which services the Mirpur region, is 130 km away. Sialkot International Airport is 110 kilometres away. An international airport has been planned. The location of the airport has not been determined, but possible locations near Mirpur are Mangla, Jatlan and Bhalwhara.In August 2013, the National Assembly and the prime minister approved the airport. It was determined that the airport would be constructed in two years after funding.

 Landmarks:

There are the following places of interest:

• Khari Sharif Darbar
• Mangla Dam
• Mangla Fort
• Ramkot Fort

 Education

Mirpur University of Science and Technology

The literacy rate in Azad Kashmir was 62% in 2004, higher than in any other region of Pakistan.The current literacy rate of Azad Kashmir is 76.60% in 2018. And it remained at 79.80% in 2019. According to the 2020–2021 census, the literacy rate in Azad Kashmir was 91.34%,only 2.2% were graduates, compared to the average of 2.9% for Pakistan.

The following are prominent universities recognised by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC)

Medical  Colleges:

The following is a list of undergraduate medical institutions recognised by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) as of 2013.

• Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College in Mirpur
• Azad Jammu Kashmir Medical College in Muzafarabad
• Poonch Medical College in Rawalakot

Private medical colleges

• Mohi-ud-Din Islamic Medical College in Mirpur

Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir:

The Government of Azad Kashmir is the state government which administers one of the territories of Pakistani-administered Kashmir territories of Azad Kashmir. The Azad Kashmir government consists of a president as head of state and a prime minister as chief executive, with the support of a council of ministers. The state assembly is the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Executive:

The chief executive of the government is the prime minister, who is elected by the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly and is supported by a council of ministers

Legislature:

The Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, also known as the AJK Legislative Assembly, is a unicameral legislature of elected representatives. The assembly consists of 41 elected members and eight co-opted members of whom five are women, one is from the Ulama community, one is from Jammu and Kashmir technocrats and other professionals, and one is from Jammu and Kashmir nationals residing abroad.

Supreme Court:

The Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the highest court of appeals in Azad Kashmir. It consists of a chief justice and two other judges. The number of judges in the supreme Court has been fixed at three by the Azad Kashmir Interim Constitution Act of 1974.

High Court:

The high court of Azad Kashmir, which serves as the court of appeals, has three circuit benches based in Kotli, Mirpur and Rawalakot.                                     

Shopping Centres in AJK:

Crown Plaza

Madina Tul Masajid Kotli Azad Kashmir Pakistan

Select And Save

Azad Mega Mart

Gulf Shopping Center

Ansari Plaza

Muzaffarabad Mall

Millennial Mall

Wilayat Center

AJK Chamber of Commerce:

AJK Government presents over Rs163bn budget for FY 2022-23

Azad Jammu and Kashmir government presented the budget for the next fiscal year with a total outlay of over 163 billion rupees in Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad of current year 2023.

The Finance Minister said 62 percent funds have been proposed for ongoing 389 schemes while 38 percent for 263 new schemes.

He said that 69 percent of the ADP will be spent on the development of infrastructure, 12 percent on the production sector, and 19 percent on social sector schemes.

Agricultural  Aspect of Kashmir:

Historically the economy of these areas currently referred to as ‘Azad’ Kashmir has been agricultural that meant that land was the most source or mean of production. This implies that all food for immediate and future consumption was produced from land. The products included numerous crops, fruits, vegetables etc. Land was additionally the source of alternative livelihood necessities like wood, fuel, grazing for animals that then become dairy product. Due to this land was additionally the most source of revenue for the governments whose primary purpose for hundreds of years was to accumulate revenue.

Agriculture is a major part of Azad Kashmir’s economy. Low-lying areas that have high populations grow crops like barley, mangoes, millet, corn (maize), and wheat, and additionally raise cattle. Within the elevated areas that are less inhabited and more spread-out, forestry, corn, and livestock are the most sources of income. There are mineral and marble resources in Azad Kashmir near Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. There also are graphite deposits at Mohriwali.

GDP Generated in 2022:

As of 2022, GDP of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was estimated to be US$6.6 billion, giving per capita income of 1512 dollar USD, above from in Sept 2013, when Azad Kashmir’s GDP was estimated at $3.2 Billion.

The Jammu and Kashmir’s economy is predominantly dependent on agriculture and allied activities.

Specialities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir:

• Azad Kashmir is known for its great valleys and high, lush green mountain ranges; outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful.
• Fertile, green, mountainous valleys are characteristic of Azad Kashmir’s geography, making it one of the most beautiful regions of the Subcontinent. The region receives rainfall in both the winter and the summer. Muzaffarabad and Pattan are among the wettest areas of Pakistan.
• Dum Olav or Dum Aaloo, one of the most famous dishes of Kashmiri food. Dum Aaloo is cooked with yoghurt, ginger powder, fennel and other hot spices to give it a unique flavour and aroma.
• Rawlakot is one of the dynamic place in the Pakistan it is situated in Kashmir, it is known as a pearl Valley of Azad Kashmir due to its beauty.
• The culture of Kashmir is a blend of multiple customs and came from Northern India, Northern Pakistan and the Chinese territory of Aksai Chin. The state enjoys the presence of mix religions and that’s why Kashmir is famous for its cultural heritage.
• However, Sarwali peak in the Neelum Valley is the highest peak in the state. Fertile, green, mountainous valleys are characteristic of Azad Kashmir’s geography, making it one of the most beautiful regions on the subcontinent.
• The Azad Kashmir region also has a share of gemstone especially from the upper approaches of Neelam valley and marble, construction materials, coal, clays and other minerals found from different areas of Azad Kashmir.
• The Urs or Ziaratsis an important festival in Kashmir which witnesses participation from Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. It is a huge inter-communal celebration and is celebrated many times in a year.
• Picturesque and enchanting, Kashmir is cradled high in the lofty green Himalayas and hailed all over the world for its incredible natural beauty. Surrounded by mountain peaks, lush green valleys, glistening lakes, temples and spectacular Mughal-era gardens, it has inspired poets through centuries.
• Agricultural exports from Jammu and Kashmir include apples, barley, cherries, corn, millet, oranges, rice, peaches, pears, saffron, sorghum, vegetables, and wheat, while manufactured exports include handicrafts, rugs, and shawls.
• Kashmiri artwork is known worldwide for its unique artistic work and the grandeur. Whenever you visit a place, you always pick something that is unique and for which the place is famous.
• A significant portion of the population from the district, the Mirpuri diaspora, migrated to the United Kingdom in the mid-to-late 1950s and in the early 1960s, mostly to West Yorkshire, East and West Midlands, Birmingham, Luton, Peterborough, Derbyand East London. Mirpur is thus sometimes known as “Little England”.
• Kashmir valley is also known for its sericulture and cold-water

Important issues in AJ&K:

• The only source of water for 60 percent population of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is being polluted by sewage lines.
• A survey conducted by the AJK Environmental Protection Agency (AJK-EPA) has said that more than 70 per cent spring water is being contaminated by sewage lines running closes to springs.
• “It is hard to avoid the contamination. The government should provide tape water to avoid the rising threat of waterborne diseases,” Aziz suggested that the government introduce rain harvesting projects in the remote areas where people have no excess to tape water and springs are impure.
• Besides the sewage lines, tons of liquid and solid waste being dumped in rivers and streams is also polluting the water resources in the region. More than 30 per cent villagers walk one or two kilometres a day to fetch the water for household use.
• The mountainous and remote Neelum valley in the extreme north of Pakistani-administered Kashmir appears to be facing a serious problem of malnutrition among women and children, reveals a United Nations survey
• Climate Change and its effects can be seen around the world with its influence on water industry, our biodiversity and forests. It also has impacts on our health and socioeconomic conditions.
• Glacial retreat
• Himalayan glaciers that melt and feed the rivers of Asia are melting at a fast rate than before. The Kolahoi glacier are the most fastest declining glaciers due to global warming but the rates are very low. There are more than 7000 glaciers in Himalayan region in which 3000 are very catastrophic and can cause vast destructions.
• The floods have also become very common in Azad Kashmir. The stream moved from Salkhala merges into Neelum valley and causes the main floods. The cloud burst in July 2021 caused about 30 deaths in the Neelum valley. The floods moved from Muzaffarabad to the Neelum valley and a couple drowned in the floods also. Floods in 2004in the Indian ocean tsunami killed hundreds of people.
• Extreme weather events like heat waves

• Heat waves are common in the region of the Islamabad and Muzaffarabad in which the 2015 heat wave due to the scorching temperature killed hundreds of people. There is increasing
• temperature in the months of the June, July and august. According to the Pakistan meteorological department the heat waves will be more common and frequent in the summers.
• Soil erosion Land Sliding
• Ghoin valley in the Muzaffarabad region has common landslides due to the deforestation and has common snow avalanches in the region about 2000 people were affected due to the road blockage. For more information.
• Land Sliding
• Ghoin valley in the Muzaffarabad region has common landslides due to the deforestation and has common snow avalanches in the region about 2000 people were affected due to the road blockage. For more information.                                                   
• The soil erosion in the Neelum valley has caused loss of the top fertile soil and the sediments flow directly in the Neelum valley and increases the sediment load in the valley.
• Seasonal change and decreased crop yield
• Due to the high temperature reaching up to 40 degree Celsius there is less crop yield of wheat, maize, corn and rice. The germination of seeds are also affected and proper reason for germination needs to be evaluated.

Conclusion:

Azad Kashmir encompasses the lower part of the Himalayas where scenic views are in abundance which make it a very popular holiday-retreat during the summer months.

There’re many tourist spots but some most well-known are the two historical forts Red Fort (Chak Fort) and Black Fort located on the bank side of the Neelam River in Muzaffarabad. They were contracted in 16th century and holds archaeological significance. Pir Chinasi is tourist spot 30 km east of Muzaffarabad on the top of hills at the altitude of 9,500 feet (2,900 m). The mountain peak has gained large fame for its ziyarat of a famous Saint Pir and this place is visited by tourists who can get a great view of Muzaffarabad and rural areas around the hidden city. Valley has a long river, possesses scenic beauty, great panoramic views, towering hills on both sides of the noisy river, lush green forests, enchanting streams and attractive surroundings. Another great river is the Leepa Valley which is full scenic beauty as well. It has high mountains covered with pine trees covered with snow during the winter season.