ABOUT AZAD KASHMIR

Azad Jammu and Kashmir  (Urdu: آزاد جموں و کشمیر‎ Azad Jammu o Kashmir), abbreviated as AJK and commonly known as Azad Kashmir, AJK translated into English means The Free State Jammu and Kashmir, is a self-governing administrative division of Pakistan. The territory lies west of the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, and was previously part of the formerprincely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which ceased to exist as a result of the first Kashmir war fought between India and Pakistan in 1947.

Azad Kashmir is part of the greater Kashmir region, which is the subject of a long-running conflict between India and Pakistan. The territory shares a border with Gilgit–Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organisations as "Pakistan-administered Kashmir".[note 1] The territory also borders Pakistan's Punjab province to the south and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to the west. To the east, Azad Kashmir is separated from the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir by the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan. Azad Kashmir has a total area of 13,297 square kilometres (5,134 sq mi), with an estimated population of around 4.6 million people.

The territory has a parliamentary form of government, with its capital located at Muzaffarabad. The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the constitutional head of the state, while the prime minister, supported by a Council of Ministers, is the chief executive. The unicameral Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly elects both the prime minister and president. The state has its own Supreme Court and a High Court, while the Government of Pakistan's Ministry of Kashmir Affairs serves as a link between it and Azad Kashmir's government. Neither Azad Kashmir nor Gilgit-Baltistan elect members to Pakistan's National Assembly.

A 2005 earthquake killed 100,000 people and left another three million people displaced, with widespread devastation. Since then, with help from the Government of Pakistan and foreign donors, reconstruction of infrastructure is underway. Azad Kashmir's economy largely depends on agriculture, services, tourism, and remittances sent by members of the British Mirpuri community. The territory's official language is Urdu, although Pahari, Hindko, Gojri, Punjabi, and Pashto are also spoken. It has a literacy rate of approximately 64%.

AZAD KASHMIR DISTRICTS

• MUZAFFARABAD
• 
• NEELUM
  
• BAGH
  
• POONCH
  
• KOTLI
  
• MIRPUR
  
• BHIMBER
  
• SUDHNUTI
  
• HATTIAN BALLA
  
• HAVELI
  

HISTORY AZAD KASHMIR

HISTORY OF KASHMIR IN ENGLISH

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.

In Spring 1947, an uprising against the Maharaja broke out in Poonch, an area bordering the Rawalpindi division of 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, swelled by recently demobilised soldiers following World War II, rebelled against the Maharaja's forces and gained control of almost the entire district. 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 Rawalpindi on 3 October 1947.

On 21 October, several thousand Pashtun tribesmen from North-West Frontier Province poured into Jammu and Kashmir 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 20 miles (32 km) northwest of the state capital Srinagar. On 24 October, the Maharaja requested military assistance from 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 defence, external affairs and communications to the Government of India in return for military aid.Indian troops were immediately airlifted into Srinagar.[16] Pakistan intervened subsequently.Fighting ensued between the Indian and Pakistani armies, with the two areas of control more or less stabilised around what is now known as the "Line of Control".

India later approached the United Nations, asking it to resolve the dispute, and resolutions were passed in favour of the holding of a plebiscite with regard to Kashmir's future. However, no such plebiscite has ever been held on either side, since there was a precondition which required the withdrawal of the Pakistani Army along with the non-state elements and the subsequent partial withdrawal of the Indian Army.from the parts of Kashmir under their respective control – a withdrawal that never took place. In 1949, a formal cease-fire line separating the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir came into effect.

Following the 1949 cease-fire agreement with India, the government of Pakistan divided the northern and western parts of Kashmir that it occupied at the time of cease-fire into the following two separately-controlled political entities:

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) – the narrow, southern part, 250 miles (400 km) long, with a width varying from 10 to 40 miles (16 to 64 km).

Gilgit–Baltistan formerly called the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) – the much larger political entity to the north of AJK with an area of 72,496 square kilometres (27,991 sq mi). It was directly administered by Pakistan as a de facto dependent territory, i.e., a non-self-governing territory. However, it was ostensibly granted "full autonomy" on 29 August 2009.

At one time under Pakistani control, Kashmir's Shaksgam tract, a small region along the northeastern border of Gilgit–Baltistan, was provisionally ceded by Pakistan to the People's Republic of China in 1963 and now forms part of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

In 1972, the then current border between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of Kashmir was designated as the "Line of Control". This line has remained unchanged since the 1972 Simla Agreement, which bound the two countries "to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations". Some political experts claim that, in view of that pact, the only solution to the issue is mutual negotiation between the two countries without involving a third party such as the United Nations.[citation needed] The 1974 Interim Constitution Act was passed by the 48-member Azad Jammu and Kashmir unicameral assembly.

For complete tour packages to azad kashmir there are 2 trusted tour operaters in Pakistan.
AJK Tours and imusafir.pk 

HISTORY IN URDU

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

The northern part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir encompasses the lower part of the Himalayas, including Jamgarh Peak (15,531 feet [4,734 meters]). However, Sarwali peak in the Neelum Valley is the highest peak in the state.

SARWALI PEAK

Fertile, green, mountainous valleys are characteristic of Azad Kashmir's geography, making it one of the most beautiful regions on the subcontinent.

The southern parts of Azad Kashmir including Bhimber, Mirpur and Kotli districts has extremely hot weather in summers and moderate cold weather in winters. It receives rains mostly in monsoon weather.

In the central and northern parts of state weather remains moderate hot in summers and very cold and chilly in winter. Snow fall also occurs there in December and January.

This region receives rainfall in both winters and summers. Muzaffarabad and Pattan are among the wettest areas of the state. 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

.

MUZAFFARABAD

MUZAFFARABAD

Muzaffarabad  (Urdu: مُظفَّرآباد‎; Pahari, Potwari: مُظفٌر آباد) is the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

It is located in Misfired District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. The district is bounded by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in the west, by the Kupwara and Baramulla districts of Disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir in the east, and theNeelum District of Azad Kashmir in the north.

MUZAFFARABAD FULL PIC 

Early history

The original name of Muzaffarabad was Udabhanda

Hieun tsang, the celebrated Buddhist pilgrim who is said to have visited the valley in 633 A.D mentions Pan-nu-tso, i.e., modern day Punch, Ho-lo-she-pu-to i.e. modern day Rajauri. He entered India from Udabhanda, Urasa (present Muzafrabad and Uskara) entered the valley via Baramula gorge.

Udabhanda was the capital of the Shahi dynasty. The Shahi (Devanagari शाही), also called Shahiya, dynasties ruled portions of the Kabul Valley (in eastern Afghanistan) and the old province of Gandhara (northern Pakistan and Kashmir) from the decline of the Kushan Empire in third century to the early ninth century. The kingdom was known as Kabul-shahan or Ratbel-shahan from (565 – 670 CE) when they had their capitals in Kapisa and Kabul, and later Udabhandapura (also known as Hund) for its new capital.

The term Shahi is the title of the rulers, likely related to the Kushan form Shao or Persian form Shah and refers to a series of 60 rulers probably descended from the Kushans or Turks (Turshkas).

Modern history

The capital of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is situated at the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers. It is 138 km from Rawalpindi and about 76 km from Abbottabad. The present name of Muzaffarabad has been given to it after the name of Sultan Muzaffar Khan, a chief of Bomba Dynasty (1652). There are two forts, namely, Red and Black Fort, situated on the opposite sides of river Neelum. The Neelum river streams through the town, joins the river Jhelum at Domel and plays a dominant role in the micro-climate of Muzaffarabad.

On October 8, 2005, the city was struck by an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale..

On October 8, 2005, the city was struck by an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale..

2005 Kashmir earthquake

The city was the site of the epicenter of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which occurred on October 8, 2005 and had a magnitude of 7.6. The disaster destroyed 50% of the buildings in the city (including most of the official buildings) and is estimated to have killed up to 80,000 people in the Pakistani-controlled areas of Kashmir.

As of 8 November 2005 the Pakistani government's official death toll was 87,350. Some estimates put the death toll over 100,000...

Valleys

Garhi Dopatta              Awan Patti            Kutla           Pirchinassi Neelam Valley Leepa Valley Jhelum Valley Chikkar Kardala

HAVELI

Haveli District

Haveli District is the 9th districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It was formerly a part of Bagh District, but it separated from Bagh on 1 July 2009 and become the ninth district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Ethnic Groups

People of Haveli Districts are most educated than all districts of Azad Kashmir.Gujjar,Rathor and Khawaja are major tribes of the District Haveli.Other includes sayyed Sherazi, Khan (Pathan),Niazi, Dar, Kiani,Sheikh etc. Mumtaz Hussain Rathore(ex.Prime Minister AJK) ,Ch Muhammad Aziz(Ex s minister) Kh Khursheed(ex.President AJK),Khawaja Saeed Ex. Chief justice of AJK,Khawaja Shad Ex. Chief justic of AJK,DFO Shah Muhammad Chaudhary,Dr Pro Nadeem Ahmed Bukhari (Dean UAJK),Dr Pro Shahid (MUST),Dr Abdul Hameed Peerzada(Uni Of Poonch), Ch Muhammad Fareed DC,Zafar Mahmood Khan Comisnor,Sadiq Dar Secretary Education,Ch Muhammad Din Ex.Chairman,Ch Talib Hussain, Haider Sherazi Anchor Person(journalist) ,Aziz Khan Niazi, Raja Mirza Khan Kiani ,Moaz Ullah Khan (Press Reporter),Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan (Son Of Moaz Ullah Khan),Dr.Abdul Ghani ,Dr Shkeel Ghani,Dr. Shabbir Ahmed,Khawaja Tarique Saeed chairman zakwat koncal.are most popular Personalities of Haveli.

Education

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2015, Haveli is ranked 17 out of 148 districts in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 146 out of 148.

HATTIAN BALLA

Hattian Bala District

Hattian Bala is one of the ten districts of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Its district headquarters is in the town of Hattian Bala.

History

Before the establishment of the Azad Kashmir in 1948 it was the part of the Baramula district, tehsil Uri (now in Indian Kashmir). After ceasefire during the first war between India and Pakistan Hattian Bala became part of Muzaffarabad District until 2009. It was announced district in July 2009 during the coalition government of Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan. Newly established district is the Gateway to Srinagar with 0.3 million population.

Indian controlled district Baramula is located in the east of Hattian Bala while Kapwara of Indian Kashmir is in the northeast, Neelum district of AJK in the northwest, Muzaffarabad in the west and Bagh in the south.

Economy

The rural urban ratio is 90:10. The majority of the rural population depends on agriculture, livestock and forestry for its subsistence. Many people are working or settled abroad in the Middle East, UK and USA and they support their families behind and in the development of the area. Hattian Bala is a mainly hilly and mountainous region with stretches of plains along the riverside, the river Jehlum which enters from the Chakothi LoC point and passes through the Jehlum valley flowing east to northwest. Due to fast flowing winding streams, Hattian Bala has great potential to generate hydroelectricity. Hydro power stations are Kathai, Leepa, and Sharian. The district has much natural beauty, its mountains have beautiful valleys like Leepa, Khalana Chham, Ghail, Saina Daman and Chakar Salmia.

Administrative divisions

Hattian Bala Districts consists of three tehsils:

• Hattian Bala
• Chikkar
• Leepa

The district council of Hattian Bala has 12 union councils (comprising 8 UCs from Constituency No.5 and 4 UCs from Constituency No.6), one municipal committee at Hattian, and one town committee at Chikar.

The rural development department has 3 Markz (centers): Hattian, Leepa and Chikar. Assistan Director LG&RDD Hattian is the administrative officer for the rural development with 2 project managers at each center.

BHIMBER

BHIMBER

Bhimber (Urdu: بھمبر‎) is the chief town of Bhimber District, Azad Kashmir. The town is situated on the border between Azad Kashmir and Pakistan at a distance of about 50 km (31 mi) from Mirpur, about 48 kilometres (30 mi) from Gujrat, about 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Jhelum, about 166 kilometres (103 mi) from Islamabad and about 241 kilometres (150 mi) from Srinagar.

HISTORY 

Famous Chinese tourist Hune Sang has talked about Bhimber in his journeys in seventh century A.D. For centuries, Bhimber has remained as capital city of Chibhal.Chibhal is named after Raja Chib Chand the eldest son of Raja Partab chand Katoch who came to Bhimber and established the state after marrying local ruler`s daughter in 1400 A.D. Chibs are direct descendents of Raja Chib Chand Katoch. In Chibs, the first who embraced Islam was Shadaab Khan who is famous as Hazrat Baba Shadi Shaheed. His Hindu name was Raja Dharm Chand Chib. The last ruler of Chibhal was Raja Sultan Khan (1800–1840). Bhimber has been important strategically. It lies on the route that was followed by the Mughal Emperors for their frequent visits to theKashmir Valley. It is also known as "Baab-e-Kashmir" (Door to Kashmir) because of its importance and geographical location which was ideal for Mughal Emperors to enter Kashmir. Therefore, the Mughals used Bhimber as a staging point for journey toSrinagar. Mughal Emperor Jahangir discussed Bhimber in his book Tuzk-e-Jahangiri. There live different caste peoples, in which mostly are Jatt secondly Rajpoot and 3rd are Mughal and some Gujjar and others.

CULTURE 

Majority of people speak Punjabi and people migrated from Samahni Valley speak Pahari.

Bhimber is situated at the border of Azad Kashmir and Punjab. 

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Bhimber is a valley. Its hot, dry climate and other geographical conditions closely resemble with those of Gujrat, the adjoining district of Pakistan.

TOURISM

Bhimber and its surrounding area is very rich in archaeological remains. There is a forest rest house in Bhimber. Famous historical and scenic sites in the town and surrounding area include:

• Baghsar Fort – This ancient fort is built in Samahni Valley close to a place known as Baghsar.
• Baghsar Lake – This lake is situated near Baghsar Fort.
• Famous Haathi Gate – Jahangir's elephant used to enter the town through it.
• Jandi Chontra – This is the place from where Srinagar and Lahore are at the same distance.
• Sarai Saadabad – The Sarai is located near Bandala in the Samahni Valley. It was used as a staging camp during Mughal Era for the caravans moving from Lahore to Kashmir.
• Tomb of Sufi saint Baba Shadi Shaheed.

TRANSPORTATION

Road

Bhimber is connected with the rest of the country through well built road network. Common public transport is Hiace. Daily routes include Mirpur, Gujrat, Dina, Jhelum, Gujranwalaand Kharian. The coaches and coasters travel to larger cities of Pakistan including Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala.

Rail

There is no railways station in Bhimber, the nearest railways stations are that of Gujrat, Lala Musa Junction and Kharian City & Cantt.

Air

The nearest commercial airport was the Islamabad International Airport, which is approximately 166 km by road from Bhimber. Recently, Sialkot International Airport has become operational which is about 150 km from town. So, this is most suitable for the people. There is a small military air strip in the town.There is a military airport in APS Bhimber.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES

Schools and colleges

• EFA School System kashmir campus
• ALBERUNI School
• Allied School System
• Army Public School & College
• Bhimber Public School
• Crescent Model College
• Dar-e-Arqam School System
• F.G. Ashiq Husain Public School
• Faran Institute of Technology
• Government City High School
• Government Degree College for Girls
• Government Girls High School
• Government Pilot High School for Boys
• Government Post Graduate College for Boys
• Insight Model school College
• Institute of Education
• Khan Muhammad Khan College Of Education & Technology
• Little Angels Public School
• Minhaj-ul-Quran Public School
• READ Foundation Degree College
• The Learners
• Muslim Hands Model School
• Science Foundation High School

Universities

• Al-Khair University
• Mirpur University of Science and Technology (Campus)

MIRPUR

MIRPUR

Mirpur (Urdu, Punjabi: مِيرپُور or more commonly known as New Mirpur City) is the capital of Mirpur district and is one of the largest cities of Azad Kashmir. The city itself has gone through a process of modernization, while most of the surrounding area remains agricultural. Mirpur is known for its grand buildings and large bungalow-houses primarily funded through its ex-patcommunity, which comes mainly from the United Kingdom, Europe, Hong Kong, Middle East and North America. The main crop cultivated during summer is millet and pulses. However, there are places where other crops such as wheat, maize and vegetables are also grown. The produce of quality rice from the paddy fields of khari Sharif between Upper Jhelum Canal and Jhelum river are very famous and popular for its aroma and taste. The production of electricity, through Mangla Dam makes this district somewhat unique in the entire region which provides energy needs for Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Punjab province.

A significant portion of the population from the district migrated to the United Kingdom in mid to late 1950s and in early 1960s – mostly to West Yorkshire, East Midlands, West Midlands, Luton, Peterborough, Derby and East London. 70% of the British Pakistanis are Mirpuris. For this reason Mirpur is sometimes known as "Little England". Many products from the UK are found in this city. Many shops in the city accept the Pound sterling.

 Chowk Shaheedan

HISTORY

The area that is now Mirpur has always been a crossroad for major invasions of the South Asia and has formed part of various empires over time including the role of an outlying region of the conquests of Alexander the Great, the Kingdom of Gandhara, the Mauryan empire, the Kushan empire, the Sultanate of Ghazni, the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal empire amongst others.

The Mirpur city itself was founded in around 1642 AD or 1052 AH by the Ghakhar chief Miran Shah Ghazi. The Imperial Gazetteer of India Provincial Series Kashmir and Jammu (1909) provides this information about Mirpur history as "it is said to have been founded by Miran Shah Ghazi and Sultan Fateh Khan". An alternate view is that the city was founded by Mira Shah Gazi and Gosain Bodhpuri, both regarded as saints. The word 'Mir' was taken from the name of the former while 'Pur’ from the latter.

MIRPUR MAP

In 997 CE, Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, took over the Ghaznavid dynasty empire established by his father, Sultan Sebuktegin, In 1005 he conquered the Shahis in Kabul in 1005. The Delhi Sultanate and later Mughal Empire ruled the region. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim due to missionary Sufi saints whose dargahs dot it's landscape

The area that is now Mirpur has been historically associated with Pothohar. Though modern demarcation of Potohar devised by British excludes Mirpur by using Jhelum river as the eastern boundary. By the end of the 18th century, Gakhar power in Pothohar had declined. Mirpur had become part of Chibb ruled state of Khari Khariyali with capital at Mangla Fort. With the rise of Sikh power in Punjab, Maharaja Ranjit Singh established his supremacy and set his eyes on the Chibh states of Bhimber and Khari Khariyali. In 1810, a force was sent against Raja Sultan Khan of Bhimber and was met with fierce resistance. However, in 1812 another Sikh army under prince Kharak Singh defeated SultanKhan and the Bhimber state was annexed as Jagir of Kharak Singh. Around the same time, Ranjit Singh acquired Gujrat and invaded Khari Khariyali ruled by Raja Umar Khan. Raja Umar Khan made peace with Ranjit Singh. But before a settlement could be made, he died and the state and Mirpur became part of Ranjit Singh's territories.

In 1816, Ranjit Singh annexed Jammu state and in 1820 awarded Jammu to his commander Gulab Singh who hailed from Jammu and was under the service of Ranjit Singh for the past eight years. Between 1831–39 Ranjit Singh bestowed on Gulab Singh the royalty of the salt mines in northern Punjab, and the northern Punjab towns including Bhera,Jhelum, Rohtas, Mirpur and Gujrat. Gulab Singh kept on expanding his kingdom and in 1840 Baltistan was made subject to Jammu and Gilgit fell to a Sikh force from Kashmir in 1842. The state of Kashmir was annexed by Ranjit Singh in 1819. However the rebellion in Hazara in the beginning of 1846, compelled the country to be transferred to Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu as well. As an aftermath of the First Anglo-Sikh War and the Treaty of Lahore, The Treaty of Amritsar was signed between the British Government and Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu on March 16, 1846. The British Government sold Kashmir to the Raja of Jammu for 75 lakhs Nanak Shahi Rupees. This treaty transferred him all the hill states between Ravi and Indus. The transfer included Kashmir, Hazara and the southern hill states (including former Khari Khariyali Thus sealing the fate of Mirpur with the new state of Jammu and Kashmir.

KOTLI

Kotli

Kotli (Urdu: کوٹلی‎) or Cotly, as known in Britain, is the chief town of Kotli District, in the Azad Kashmir. Kotli is linked withMirpur by two metalled roads, one via Rajdhani, (90 km) and the other via Charhoi. It is also directly linked with Rawalakotvia Trarkhal (82 km) and a double road which links Kotli with the rest of Pakistan via Sehnsa, another major town in Azad Kashmir. Kotli is roughly a three hours drive from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, at a distance of 117 km via Sehnsa.

History

As stated in History of the Punjab Hill States by J.Hutchinson and J.P. Vogel: "Kotli was founded about the fifteenth century by a branch of the royal family of Raja Mangar Pal . Kotli and Poonch remained independent until subdued by Ranjit Singh in 1815 and 1819 respectively."

The royal family of Hutchinson and Vogel are referring to is the family of Raja Mangar Pal.[citation needed] Before its name was Kohtali mean (under mountain) after that people changed its name to Kotli.

Indo-Pakistan War of 1947–48

In November 1947, the Indian Army reached Kotli and evacuated the garrisons of the town. The Pakistani Army along with the local population and aided by the tribesmen of the North West Frontier Province arrived and counter-attacked, forcing the Indian Army to abandon it. Kotli has been under Pakistani administration since.

Modern Kotli

The main distinction to the city is Jamay Masjid Al-Firdous Gulhar. It is the religious centre of excellence and it centralizes more than seven hundred mosques all over the world, the most of which are in Azad Kashmir. Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Sadiq (Rahmatullah Alaihee) laid foundation of this system and now his son Mr. Haafiz Muhammad Zahid Sultani is supervising the system efficiently.Today Kotli is a winter town.[clarification needed] Notable places in Kotli to visit are sarda point, Tinda Rest-House, near river gori park, roli hills, butt fire and Peer Lasura (Nakyal). Today kotli is shaping itself in almost every field of life.Some notable places are Gulhar colony, Khuiratta, Chowki Tinda, Kurti, Roli, Brali and Dhamol. The town has become a vision of three-storey mansions that have taken over the once-barren roads between the outer ring villages and the ever-expanding city sitting on the brim of the Poonch River. The most famous and notable buildings are the three Khan-Wali fortresses, Jame Masjid Ghosia Balyah and Tehsil Guest House (Some Great people used to stay there since it was built by Dogra rulers).

The mass emigration that took over the country in the 1960s has now created a steady boom of summer holiday makers from Britain and beyond who seek to reconnect their European-born children to the old country. Kotli has international links throughout Western Europe and North America. Like many Azad Kashmiris (Poonch valley — a region found in the Jammupart of Jammu and Kashmir) living in the fringes of the Mangla Dam in Mirpur, emigration fever took hold of the surrounding country from the mid 1950s onwards.

Kotli has ties with many European cities such as Amsterdam, Hamburg and especially the larger industrial cities of northern and central England. Many Kotli city residents have ties to British nationals in the city of Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Luton, Bedford, Watford and Birmingham. Kotli is also known as the city of mosques due to the fact that there are more than three hundred mosques in Kotli.

Faizan Rehman is currently the territory executive for Kotli district.

Communications

• Three privately owned cable Television systems: Kashmir Cable Network Covering 90% area of Kotli City and Surroundings, Family Cable Network, and Medialink Cable Network, are available in Kotli, which transmit Pakistanin and international television programs.
• A local FM radio station also broadcasts at FM 96.5.
• Cell phone service is available through six private cell phone operators: Paktel, Mobilink, Ufone, Warid, Telenor and SCOM. PTCL Wireless is also available.

POONCH

Poonch district, Pakistan

Poonch
District
Poonch
Map of Azad Kashmir with Poonch highlighted
Coordinates: 33.8540°N 73.7507°E
Country	Pakistan
Province	Jammu and Kashmir
Headquarters	Rawalakot
Area
• Total	855 km2 (330 sq mi)
Population (1998)
• Total	459,000
• Density	548/km2 (1,420/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+5)

Poonch (Urdu: ضلع پونچھ ‎) is one of the eight districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Poonch district borders Indian-administered Kashmir and is part of the greater dispute between India and Pakistan.

The capital of the district is Rawalakot with the Sudhan and Awan tribes being the dominant groups in the district. This region has produced numerous business, political and military leaders.

History

From the end of seventeenth century up to 1837 CE, Poonch was ruled by the Muslim Rajas of Loran in Tehsil Haveli. It then fell into the hands of Raja Faiztalab Khan of Rajouri to whom it was handed over by the Punjab Government. Poonch was included in the transfer of the hilly country to Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1848. Before this transfer, Poonch was considered a district of Lahore. Maharaja Gulab Singh granted Chibal, Poonch and other areas to Jawahar Singh and Moiti Singh. The Raja of Poonch had to present to the Maharaja one horse with gold trappings. The Raja of Poonch was not to effect any administrative changes in the territory of Poonch without prior consultation with the Maharaja of Kashmir. A GOLDEN POINT≈ There is confusion among the people of Ponch that they are the son of sudhozai, it is wrong there generation is started from Sudho(A PASHTUN PERSON) not from Sudhozai(A TRIBE NAME) and there generation got the name of sudhozai. Sudho was not sudhozai The generation after him gave themsalve name of sudhozai them self

Separation of Poonch

Map of Poonch district

After independence in 1947, Pakistan and India fought a war over Kashmir. As a result of the war, Poonch was split between the two nations. Prior to the division of Poonch, the only high school in the district was in the city of Poonch; this city now forms the capital of Indian-controlled Poonch district.

Lohar Dynasty

The centre of Lohar dynasty was at Loharin which is now in Poonch district of the state Kashmir. Prominent Hindu kings of this dynasty have carved out a special place in the history of Kashmir.

This clan is famous in Kashmir history since it gave a whole dynasty which ruled for a long time called 'Lohar dynasty'. Their settlement is located in Pir Panjal Range. They were Vaishnavites and followers of Lord Vshnu of the Hindu pantheon of Gods. The Lohar fort is named after them. The famous queen Dida, married to Kshemagupta, was daughter of King Simha Raja of Lohar dynasty, who himself was married to a daughter of Shahi King Bhima Deva of Kabul. Lohar Kot was the name of the royal palace of the Lohar Dynasty. Alberuni (Abu Rayhan Biruni) refers to this castle Lohar Kot-as Loha Kot, and Mahmud Ghazni’s attack on Loha Kot was a dismal failure. Farishta tells that Muhmud failed because the fort “was remarkable on account of its height and strength. The Lohars had enough strength to defend the towering palace.

Lohar Dynasty ruled Kashmir for more than a century when Kshtriya rituals entered the Brahamnic cult. As is common with despotic rule, the whole period suffered from murders, suicides, corruption - material and moral - a record of which has been prepared by Kalhan Pandit who followed in the 12th century in the reign of Jayasinha. introduced was a slow but soothing stream aimed at raising up of moral and spiritual values and oneness of God. Lohar Dynasty was also defeated by great MUGAHL-E-AZAM Akbar in 1645A.D.Then AKBAR started rule over whole india.

Education

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2015, Poonch is ranked 38 out of 148 districts in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 140 out of 148. 

Transport

A bus across the LOC, the Poonch-Rawalakot bus has helped to re-establish ties across the border.