Neelum Valley

The valley is situated in the North North-East of Muzaffarabad, running parallel to Kaghan Valley. The two valleys are only separated by snow-covered peaks, some over 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above sea level.

Kashmir

The history of Azad Kashmir, a part of the Kashmir region administered by Pakistan, is a component of the overall history of Kashmir. 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 administered state of Jammu and Kashmir to the east.

Rawalakot

Rawalakot (Urdu: راولا کوٹ ‎), is a town in Azad Kashmir, and is the district headquarters of Poonch Division and Poonch District. It is in a beautiful valley surrounded by hills.

Muzaffarabad

Muzaffarabad (Urdu: مُظفَّرآباد‎; Pahari, Potwari: مُظفٌر آباد) is the capital of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is located in Muzaffarabad District on the banks of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers.

Mirpur

Mirpur (Urdu, Mirpur Punjabi: مِيرپُور) is the capital and largest city of Mirpur district and one of the largest cities of Pakistan's Kashmir region. Since Mirpur adjoins the northern plains of the Punjab..

Saturday, 14 June 2014

State Flag

State Flag

State Flag
The official flag the State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir was adopted on 24th September 1975. The flag was adopted by the passing of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir State Flag Ordinance, 1975 by the then president, Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan.

Symbolically the Flag represents following aspects of Azad Jammu and Kashmir;

The Three Fourth green background represents 75% Muslim population of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.


One-Fourth Orange (Golden) colour represents 25% minorities of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Green stripes represent the Valley of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The White stripes represent the snow-covered mountains of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Crescent is the usual semblance of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir is very rich in natural beauty. 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, Rawalakot, Banjosa, Samahni & Baghser unfold delight full scenic beauty and provide a feast of pleasure to a discerning tourist's eyes.

Azad Jammu & Kashmir is a fascinating land of people, languages & culture. The texture of present population is composed of races claiming their descent from Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, Turks & Arabs. The people of districts Kotli, Mirpur & Bhimber are sturdy, simple, truthful and deeply attached to their land. The culture of this area resembles to that of the adjoining area of Punjab. The people of districts Poonch, Bagh & Sudhanoti are adventure loving and there are numerous anecdotes of their matchless valor as well as inspiring sacrifices for freedom, while Muzaffarabad & Neelum district has its own distinctive culture. The people of the state are intelligent ingenious, hardworking & dynamic.

State Profile

State Profile

The State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude 730 – 750 and latitude 330 – 360 and comprises an area of 5134 square miles (13,297 square kilometres). The topography of the area is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. The area is full of natural beauty with thick forest, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. Main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation ranges from 360 meters in the South to 6325 meters in the North. According to the 1998 population census, the State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir had a population of 2.973, which estimated to have grown to 3.4 million in 2004. Almost 100% population is Muslim. The rural to urban ratio is 88:12. The population density is 258 persons per Sq Km. The literacy rate have increased from 55% to 60% after 1998 census. Infant mortality rate is approximately 56 per 1000 live births, where as the immunization rate for the children less than 5 years of age is more than 88%.

The majority of the rural population depends on forestry, livestock and agriculture for its subsistence. Average per capita income is estimated to range from 600 -5,000 US$. Un-employment rate is from 35 to 50%. In line with the national trends, indicators of social sector improvement, particularly health and population welfare have not shown much proficiency. Efforts have been made during the recent past to make up this deficiency, which will bring the fruits of development to the common man. The area under cultivation is around 166,432 hectares (almost 13% of the total area), out of which 92% of the cultivable area is rain-fed.

About 845 households have very small land-holdings between one to two acres per family. According to the agricultural census of 1990, the average farm size is only 1.2 hectares. The major crops are Maize, Wheat & Rice whereas minor crops include vegetables, grams, pulses (Red lobia) and oil-seeds. Major fruits are Apple, Pears, Apricot and Walnuts. Income through household earnings ranges between 30-40% while remaining share comes from other sources including employment and business etc. Reduced agriculture productivity has adversely affected the traditional lifestyle and average per capita income of the rural household. About 42% of the total Geographical area (0.6 million hectares approximately) is controlled by the Forest Department. The per capita standing volume and area are 400 cft and 0.2 hectares respectively. Annual wood demand is 1.65 million cubic meters and sustainable production is 0.7 million cubic meters.

Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir



Chaudhry Abdul Majid, Prime Minister of Azad State of Jammu & Kashmir, elected as Leader of House Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on 26th July 2011  . His father’s name is Ch. Lal Khan from district Mirpur AJK. He is B.A L.L.B. He is also the party President of PPP AJK. He elected sixth time as member of Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Prior to this position, he has served as Minister for revenue & agriculture Azad Govt. of state of Jammu and Kashmir, Speaker Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir from 1998 to 2001, and Opposition leader from 4th February 2011 to 26th July 2011. He has also made extensive visits to foreign like Europe, America and Middle East. 

President AJ&K Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan


President AJ&K Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan

Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan S/O Sardar Gul Muhammad Khan born on 1953 in village of Poonch named Ali Sojal (Rawalakot AJ&K) is renowned figure in political scenario. He qualified himself with graduation having an excellent language proficiency in Urdu, Arabic and English. He started his political career in early age after college education as a Central Officer bearer of Punjabi Pakhtoon Itehad in Karachi then he became Senior Vice President Tehreek Amel Party Azad Jammu & Kashmir and contested Election of Provincial Assembly of Sindh at Karachi and after that Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He is dually elected as Member Legislative Assembly of AJK. He remained minister for Health, Population Welfare & Hydro Electric Board, and Housing & Planning from 2001-2006 and in 2009. On Jan 06, 2009 he became Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. In 2011, he elected again and took oath as 22nd President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir on25th August, 2011.