Rawalakot

Rawalakot (Urdu: راولا کوٹ) is a city in Azad Kashmir, Rawalakot is the capital of the Poonch District of Azad Kashmir. It is in a saucer-shaped valley at elevation 1615 meters (5300ft). It is 76 kilometers (47 miles) from Kohalla, and is also linked with Rawalpindi and Islamabad via the neighboring districts of Azad Pattan and Dhalkot,and with Muzaffarabad via Kohalla and sudhangali by asphalt roads.

Rawalakot is the home of the Sudhan tribe. It is one of the most beautiful and charming city of Kashmir. With its breathtaking view and enchanting waterfalls, it is truly a paradise on earth. Surrouding villages include Motialmara, Trar,Trani Dahmni, Pothi Bala/Makwalan, Kharek,Dreak, Hussainkot, Hurnamaira, Bhalgran, Rehara,

Bagh District north and District Sudhnoti is South of Rawalakot. While towards the West are Murree, Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions of Pakistan.

Location

Rawalakot Map

Rawalakot is the home of the Sudhan tribe. It is one of the most beautiful and charming city of Kashmir. With its breathtaking view and enchanting waterfalls, it is truly a paradise on earth. Surrouding villages include Motialmara, Trar,Trani,Dahmni, Pothi bala/makwalaan, kharek, dreak hussain kot, Hurnamaira, Bhalgran, Rehara,

Rawalakot has an airport which has not functioned since 2000 due to lack of demand for airtravel by the local population and the indiffernce of the Government of Pakistan. Rawalakot Airport

Construction of Guoien Nalla road between Rawalakot and Azad pattan has considerably reduced the distance travel time. During summer the place becomes full of green grass and beautiful flowers including many varieties of roses.

Communications

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Rawalakot Valley

Rawalakot has an airport Rawalakot Airport, which has not functioned since 2000 due to lack of demand for airtravel by the local population and the indifference of the Government of Pakistan. Two privately owned Cable Television systems are available in Rawalakot, which transmits Pakistani and international television programs.

A local FM radio station has been established.

Cell phone service is available through two private cell phone operators Mobilink and Ufone. PTCL Wireless also avialable.

The local phone company is operated by Pakistan Army.

Construction of Guoien Nalla road between Rawalakot and Azad pattan has considerably reduced the distance travel time.

During summer the place becomes full of green grass and beautiful flowers including many varieties of roses.

Publications and Literary Activities

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2005 Eathquake Damage Rawalakot

Respected local periodical by the name of "Dharti" (Chief Editor Abid Siddique) is published monthly and features interesting articles covering local political and social activities and serves as a literary outlet for local creative writers and poets. This periodical has subscribers from Azad Kashmir to Calgary in Western Canada. Many authors as well as poets have been produced in the Pearl Valley of Rawalakot.

Daily news papers from Pakistan are available in English as well as Urdu. Most read newspaper is the urdu daily jang and the most listened to Radio Statio is BBC London.

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Rawalakot Bazaar

Hotels and Rest Houses

Small hotels with living accommodations are available in and around the city. The most notable being the Rawalakot International Hotel which provides decent and clean accommodations for a price ranging from Rs. 600 to 1000 per day. It is prudent to negotitiate the price. Government owned cabins are available in Rawalakot and Banjonsa. Advance reservations are recommended as most of these accomdations are used by Government Officials on their tours. Privately owned Deira Guest House also accepts reservations.

Deira House

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Banjosa Rest House and Lake .

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Banjosa Rest House and Lake by Dr. Rehana Kausar MD, a Native of Rawalakot practicing in Texas USA

Climate

Average temperature during the summer varies from 60 degrees F to 75 degrees F. During the winter snow falls start during the month of Decmeber and last through January. Rainy season starts from April through June.

Culture

Rawalakot has no theatres, however the university does have some sorts of cultural events.

Education and science

Rawalakot has the Agriculture University of Azad Kashmir, a Government College for men and for women, numerous high shools and a number of private schools.

Shopping

The town has few good bazaars where all essential commodities of life are easily available. In Rawalakot, besides Dahra rest house, some good hotels and private guest houses provide comfortable accommodation.

Non Governmental Organizations

Different NGOs are working in Rawalakot. One of the most active NGOs is Press for Peace. The organization was founded by Khawaja Zafar Iqbal, a leading journalist and philanthropist from village Tarar in Rawalakot. Press for peace has been acknowledged for its outstanding work for the promotion of peace, tolerance, protoction of human rights and freedom of the press Pakistan controlled Kashmir.

Press for Peace has expanded its network from Azad Kashmir to Pakistan, Indian Occupied Kashmir, United Arab Emirates, England, Austria and Canada.

Population

Rawalakot has an estimated population of 50,000. Over 80% of the population belongs to the Sudhan tribe, however other tribes are also represented. Pathans may live in Rawalakot but are not citizens of Kashmir.

Leading Personalities from Rawalakot

Sardar Ibrahim Khan the founder and First President of (Free) Azad Kashmir;

Shaikh Ghulam Ahmad, an author, educator and philanthropist.

General (Retd) M. Rahim Khan, the former Chief of Pakistan Army in East Pakistan, former Chairman Pakistan International Airlines, former Chairman Pakistan Chrome Mines Ltd and Secretary General Ministry of Defense.

M. Rasheed Khan former Chairman Pakistan Banking Council. Financial Consultant.

General Muhammad Aziz Khan Former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pakistan Army.

Major General (Retired) Muhammad Hayyat Khan Former President of Azad Kashmir

Kh.ZAFAR IQBAL,leading Journalist,human rights and peace activists,founder of Press for Peace(NGO Working for protection of human rights,press freedom and promotion of peace and interfaith harimony).Currantly,he is studing MA Media and Globalization,in Nottingham Trent University,England.

Virtual Tour of Rawalakot

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External links

• Rawalakot Azad Kashmmir
• All About Kashmir
• Official Web Site of Azad Kashmir

• Rawalakot Photo Album

• Invasion of Kashmir
• pilot project of Kashmir Education Foundation