Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Urdu: آزاد جموں و کشمیر Azad Jammu o Kashmir) abbreviated AJK or, for short, Azad Kashmir (literally "Free Kashmir") is the southernmost and the smaller of two political entities which together constitute the Pakistani-controlled part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which ceased to exist as a result of the first Kashmir war. the time of the Partition of I
ndia 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. 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). 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 on February 5 of each year since 1990 as a day of protest against India's de facto sovereignty over its State of Jammu and Kashmir.[13] That day is a national holiday in Pakistan.[14]
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is a self-governing state under Pakistani control, but under Pakistan's constitution the state is not actually part of Pakistan.[clarification needed].[1][15] Azad Kashmir has its own elected president, prime minister, legislature, high court, and official flag. Administrative divisions
The state is administratively divided into three divisions which, in turn, are divided into ten districts.[16]
Division District Area (km²) Population (1998) Headquarters
Mirpur Bhimber 1,516 301,633 Bhimber
Kotli 1,862 563,094 Kotli
Mirpur 1,010 333,482 Mirpur
Muzaffarabad Muzaffarabad[17] 2,496 638,973 Muzaffarabad
Hattian ? ? Hattian Bala
Neelam[18] 3,621 106,778 Athmuqam
Poonch Poonch 855 411,035 Rawalakot[17]
Haveli 600 (est.) 150,000 (est.) Forward Kahuta[17]
Bagh 768 243,415 Bagh
Sudhnati 569 334,091 Pallandari
AJK Total 10 districts 13,297 2,972,501 Muzaffarabad
Tourist attractions: Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Neelam Valley, Leepa Valley, Rawalakot, Bagh
The culture of Azad Kashmir has many similarities to that of northern Punjabi (Potohar) culture in Punjab province. Urdu is the official language of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.[20] However, due to the area's diverse cultural blend, many languages are spoken by different populations, including Pahari-Potwari, Hindko, Gojri, Punjabi and Pashto
The literacy rate in Azad Kashmir was 62% in 2004, higher than in any region in Pakistan.[27] However, only 2.2% were graduates, compared to the average of 2.9% for Pakistan
There are mineral and marble resources in Azad Kashmir close to Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. There are also reservoirs of low-grade coal, chalk, bauxite, and zircon. Prominent Kashmiris
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Sufi saint
Baba-e-Poonch Khansahib Col Khan Muhammad Khan, MLA for Bagh and Sudhonoti Tehsil, 1934–1946
Aziz Khan, former chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Pakistan
Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, former prime minister and president of Azad Kashmir
Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, vice-chief of the General Staff
Baba Shadi Shaheed, Sufi saint
Barrister Sultan Mahmood, former prime minister of Azad Kashmir
Lord Nazir Ahmed, member of the UK House of Lords
Karam Hussain, mayor of Kirklees, UK
Khalid Mahmood, member of the UK parliament
Kabir Ali, British-Kashmiri cricket player
Saif Ali Janjua, Hilal-e-Kashmir awardee
