Azad Kashmir

Azad Kashmir
source
Name	Azad Kashmir
Native name	آزاد جموں و کشمیر
Subdivision type	Administrative units of Pakistan
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Muzaffarabad
Leader title	President
Leader title1	Prime Minister
Area total km2	13297
Population total	4,045,366
Population as of	2017
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Pakistan Standard Time

Azad Kashmir. It is a region administered by Pakistan as a nominally self-governing entity, constituting the western portion of the larger Kashmir region which has been disputed between Pakistan and India since the Partition of India in 1947. The territory's capital is Muzaffarabad, and it borders the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the south and west, the Pakistani-administered territory of Gilgit-Baltistan to the north, and the Indian-administered union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to the east.

Geography

The region is predominantly mountainous, encompassing the lower reaches of the Himalayas and including parts of the Pir Panjal Range. Major rivers such as the Jhelum River, Neelum River, and Kunhar River flow through its deep valleys, with the Mangla Dam reservoir forming a significant part of its southern border. Key urban centers besides Muzaffarabad include Mirpur, Kotli, and Rawalakot, with the landscape featuring notable peaks like Sarwali Peak and forested areas such as the Leepa Valley.

History

The modern political entity originated from the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, following the Maharaja Hari Singh's accession to India and the subsequent tribal incursion supported by Pakistan. The Karachi Agreement of 1949 established a ceasefire line supervised by the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, with the western territories becoming administered by Pakistan. The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and the Kargil War of 1999 further cemented the territorial dispute, while the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake caused widespread destruction centered on Muzaffarabad.

Government and politics

The region functions under the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Interim Constitution Act, 1974, with its own elected Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly and a parliamentary system headed by a Prime Minister and a ceremonial President. The Pakistan Muslim League (N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and Pakistan Peoples Party are major political actors, while the Kashmir Council headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan retains authority over key areas like security and finances, linking the administration closely to the federal government in Islamabad.

Demographics

The vast majority of the population are ethnically Kashmiris and speak dialects of Kashmiri and Pahari-Pothwari, with Urdu serving as the official language. The region is almost entirely Muslim, predominantly following the Sunni branch of Islam, with a significant presence of the Barelvi movement. Important cultural and religious figures include the poet Mahjoor and the saint Pir Shah Ghazi Qalandar, with the population density being highest in the districts of Mirpur and Kotli.

Economy

The economy is significantly supported by remittances from a large diaspora community, particularly in the United Kingdom, originating from the Mirpur district. Key infrastructure projects include the Mangla Dam, a major source of hydroelectric power for Pakistan, and the Kohala Hydropower Project on the Jhelum River. Agriculture, especially fruit orchards, and tourism centered on sites like Neelum Valley and Banjosa Lake are other vital sectors, with trade and transport links flowing through the Karakoram Highway and into Punjab.

Culture

Cultural life is deeply influenced by Kashmiri culture, expressed through the poetry of Rashid Hameed and the traditional music forms like Chakri. Annual events such as the Jashn-e-Baharan festival in Rawalakot and the Mela Chiraghan celebrate the region's heritage. The distinctive wood carving and Pashmina wool work are renowned, while the architecture of historic sites like the Red Fort in Muzaffarabad and the Pir Chinasi shrine reflect a blend of Mughal and local styles.

Category:Disputed territories in Asia Category:Administrative units of Pakistan Category:Kashmir