Azad Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, (Urdu: آزاد جموں و کشمیر پاکستان) also just called Azad Kashmir is a self-governing region that falls under Pakistan and is disputed region with India. In terms of land area it is bigger than Trinidad and Tobago but smaller than Brunei.

Azad Kashmir آزاد جموں و کشمیر‎
Autonomous State
Azād Jāmmu wa Kāshmir
Flag Seal
Location of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Coordinates: 34.22°N 73.28°E / 34.22; 73.28
Country	Pakistan
Established	24 October 1947
Capital	Muzaffarabad
Largest city	Mirpur
Government
• Type	Autonomous territory of Pakistan
• Body	Legislative Assembly
• President	[1]
• Prime Minister	[2]
Area
• Total	13,297 km2 (5,134 sq mi)
Population  (2008; est.)
• Total	4,567,982
• Density	340/km2 (890/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+5 (PKT)
ISO 3166 code	PK-JK
Main Language(s)	Urdu (National & Official) and Pahari language
Assembly seats	33[3]
Districts	10
Website	azadkashmir.gov.pk

Geographically, to the north, is the Gilgit-Baltistan province, while to the south borders the province of Pakistani Punjabi, and to the east being the Indian-administered Kashmir.

The capital city of Azad Kashmir is Muzaffarabad. Azad Jammu and Kashmir has an area of 5,134 mi² (13,297 km²). The inhabitants of this region are Kashmiri citizens of ethnic Pahari origin. About 4 million people live there.

Government and politics

Azad Kashmir is a self-governing state under Pakistan.^[4][5] It has its own elected president, prime minister, legislature, high court, emblem and official flag. However, the highest body in the state is the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council. This council has six members from the government of Azad Kashmir (including the President and the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir) and five members from the government of Pakistan, including the President of Pakistan who is the chairman/chief executive of the council.^[4][5] Azad Kashmir is administratively divided into three divisions which, in turn, are divided into ten districts.

The Government of Azad Kashmir and Jammu is based in Muzaffarabad, the interim state capital of the Azad Kashmir disputed territory.

Divisions

The state is divided into three divisions.^[6] The divisions are further divided into districts. There are 10 districts.

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[7]	2,496	453,975	Muzaffarabad
	Hattian		166,064
	Neelum Valley	3621	125,712	Authmuqam
Poonch	Poonch	855	411,035	Rawalakot[7]
	Haveli	600 (est.)	111,694 (est.)	Forward Kahuta[7]
	Bagh	768	281,721	Bagh
	Sudhnoti	569	224,091	Pallandari
AJK Total	10 districts	13,297	2,972,501	Muzaffarabad

Geography

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, Hari Parbat peak in 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 of the subcontinent.^[4]

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.

Azad Kashmir State Symbols

Title	Symbol	Image
State animal	Kashmir markhor
State bird	Kashmir Koklass pheasant
State flower	Kashmir White
State tree	Himalayan birch tree

References

1. "Pir Karam Ali Shah appointed GB Governor". The News. 26 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
2. "Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Public service policy to be pursued in Azad Kashmir: PM". Ftp.app.com.pk. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
3. Legislative Assembly will have directly elected 24 members, besides six women and three technocrats. "Azad Kashmir: New Pakistani Package or Governor Rule Archived 2014-12-25 at the Wayback Machine" 3 September 2009, The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)
4. "Azad Kashmir" at britannica.com
5. "Azad Jammu and Kashmir – Introduction". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
6. "Administrative Setup". ajk.gov.pk. Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
7. "European Journal of Scientific Research" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2010.