General

Azad Jammu and Kashmir lies between longitude of 730 - 750 and latitude of 33o - 36o and comprises an area of 5134 Square Miles (13297 Square Kilometres).

The topography of the area is mainly hilly and mountainous with valleys and stretches of plains. Azad Kashmir is full of natural beauty with thick forests, fast flowing rivers and winding streams. The main rivers are Jehlum, Neelum and Poonch. The climate is sub-tropical highland type with an average yearly rainfall of 1300 mm. The elevation from sea level ranges from 360 meters in the south to 6325 meters in the north. The snow line in winter is around 1200 meters above sea level while in summer, it rises to 3300 meters.

According to the 1998 population census the state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir had a population of 2.973 million, which is estimated to be grown to 3.5 million in 2006. Almost 100% population is comprised of Muslims. The Rural: urban population ratio is 88:12. The population density is 270 persons per Sq. Km. The literacy rate which was 55% in 1998 census has now risen above 60%. Approximately the infant mortality rate is 56 per 1000 live births, whereas the immunization rate for the children under 5 years of age is more than 95%.

The majority of the rural population depends on forestry, livestock and agriculture to eke-out its subsistence. Average per capita income has been estimated to be 847* US$. Unemployment rate ranges from 6.0 to 6.5% per annum. 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.

Economic survey of Pakistan 2005-2006

Area under cultivation is around 166432 hectares, which is almost 13% of the total Geographical area out of which 92% of the cultivable area is rain-fed.  About 84% households have very small land-holdings between one to two acres per family.  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. Agriculture and livestock income ranges between 30-40% of household earnings. The remaining share comes from other sources including employment and business etc. Reduced agriculture productivity has very 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), is controlled by the Forest Department. The per capita standing volume and per capita forest area are 400 cft. and 0.5 cft. respectively. Annual wood demand is 1.65 million cubic meters and sustainable production is 1.89 million cubic meters. The local communities have traditional rights in terms of use of the forests and on an average three trees are burnt by one household every year for the fuel-wood requirements in the absence of alternate sources. Similarly about 5 trees on average are required to construct a house for which the wood roofs have to be replaced after every 8-10 years.

Government

  Azad Kashmir has a parliamentary form of Government. The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the Constitutional Head of State, while the Prime Minister, supported by a council of Ministers, is the Chief Executive. Azad Kashmir has its own legislative assembly comprising  41 directly and 8 indirectly elected members, a member each from technocrates,  Mashaikhs, Overseas Kashmiris and 5 females and having the institutions of  Supreme Court and High Court also.

Administration

Azad Kashmir is divided into two divisions (Muzaffarabad & Mirpur) and eight administrative districts with Muzaffarabad as the capital of the state. The Muzaffarabad Division comprises of Muzaffarabad, Neelum, Bagh, Poonch & Sudhnuti districts whereas Mirpur Division includes the districts of Mirpur, Kotli & Bhimber. The     people's participation in the political process is ensured through the elected institutions of AJK Legislative Assembly with 41 directly elected members and AJK Council with six elected members, besides members of local councils all over 1646 villages of the state.

Economic Developments

At the time of partition in 1947, the economy in Azad Jammu and Kashmir was on subsistence level but the determination to develop the area was there. It was in early 60's when economic development of the area started in earnest. Despite financial constraints, planners made good efforts in laying down a proper path for the rapid development of the area.

Physical Infrastructure

1. Roads

Roads and air transport are the only modes of transportation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The present road length position and its comparison with the position in 1947 is given below: -

Road Length (Kms)

Year                        Metalled                                Fair-weather                                  Total

1947                         100                                             165                                                      265

2006                        4852                                            6116                                                    10968

b.          AIRPORTS
                The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan has constructed two small airports in Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot cities in recent past in order to provide easy and fast mode of travel (Flights presently suspended). This facility is also expected to be extended to Mirpur and Kotli cities in the coming years.

c.         POWER
                At present, the installed Grid capacity is 403 MVA. About 20242 km transmission lines have been extended to 1629 villages out of a total of 1646 villages and about 390671 consumers have been provided with power connections. The per capita electricity delivered for consumption in Azad Kashmir is 326 KWH and within next three years 100% population of AJK is planned to be provided power connections.  At the time of independence, power facility was practically non-existent in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Government lays great emphasis on generating electricity in order to meet the growing domestic as well as industrial requirements. It has been planned to launch a programme for constructing a number of small hydel stations and six hydel stations have already been completed.

d.       PIPED WATER SUPPLY
                At the time of independence, availability of piped water supply was non-existent but significant progress has now been made in this regard. Presently 80% of the urban population and 66% of rural population has been provided with a piped water supply through house connections and public stands.

(ii)        SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

e.       HEALTH  FACILITIES
            Health coverage in Azad Jammu & Kashmir is still inadequate. There are approximately 1820 hospital beds available in the area averaging 0.5 bed per 1000
population. The total number of doctors, including administrative doctors, health mangers &  dentists is 675 out of which there are 405 medical officers, 64 dental surgeons, 159 specialists and 47 health managers giving an average of  0.187 per 1000 population in respect of doctors, 0.112 Per 1000 Population in respect of medical officers, 0.018 per 1000 Population in respect of dentists, 0.044 per 1000 Pop. in respect of specialists and 0.013 per 1000 pop. in respect of health managers, where as only 30 hospital beds & 11 dispensaries were available in the area at the time of independence.

f.      EDUCATION
            Education has been a priority of the Govt. of Azad Jammu & Kashmir as about 26% of its total recurring budget besides 8 % of the total development budget is allocated to this sector. As a result of this substantial investment, AJ&K’s literacy rate is well above 60% which is significantly higher than the national average of Pakistan. At present the gross enrolment rate at primary level is *95% for boys and 88% for girls (between the age of 5-9 years).
Includes the enrolment of private schools also

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURE

AREA & POPULATION-2006

TOTAL AREA OF AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR      13297 Sq. Kms (5134 Sq. Miles)

TOTAL POPULATION OF AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR*    35,96,000 (3.596 Million)

*  Total may not tally due to rounding off.

POPULATION FEATURES

*Projected on the basis of 1998 census
  Source:- Population Census Organization - Islamabad.

ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP (2006)

Source: Local Govt. Board - Muzaffarabad.

AGRICULTURE-2006

• Cropped area exceeds total area under cultivation due to double copping system.

• This figure is 13 of total Geographical area.

Source:    Directorate of Agriculture Muzaffarabad.

        Source:    Directorate of Agriculture Muzaffarabad.

FORESTS-2006

*        FDA:   Forest Demarcated Area
**      TGA:   Total Geographical Area
Source:    Chief Conservator of Forest Muzaffarabad.

LIVE STOCK & VETERINARY-2006

Note*: A-class dispensaries are supervised by veterinary officer while B-class dispensaries
are run by supervisors.
Source:    Department of Livestock & Veterinary-Muzaffarabad.

POWER-2006

ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS:                    (Nos.)

KW.        Kilowatts
KWh.     Kilowatts Hour
Source: Department of Electricity-Muzaffarabad.

ROADS & COMMUNICATIONS - 2006

TOTAL ROADs IN AJ&K               10968 Kms

METALLED ROADS                       4852  Kms

FAIR-WEATHER ROADS                6116  Kms

DISTRICT-WISE ROAD POSITION                  (Kilometres)                                                                                   

Source:   
i.  Public Works Department - Muzaffarabad.
ii. Local Govt. & Rural Development Deptt. Muzaffarabad.

TELECOMMUNICATION & POSTAL FACILITIES-2006

*PCOS.

Source:   
i. Special Communication Organization Rawalpindi
ii. Postal Department Muzaffarabad.

*        One  GPO has been down graded.

PHYSICAL PLANING & HOUSING - 2006

PIPED WATER SUPPLY

URBAN:-                                74%
RURAL:-                                 65%

(i) URBAN WATER SUPPLY

Source:   
i.              PWD (Water Supply Branch)                               
ii.             LG & RD Department.

Source: Population Census Organization-Islamabad.

EDUCATION- 2006

PARTICIPATION RATE OF STUDENTS IN AJ&K

* Only public sector data.
Source: Directorate of Education-Muzaffarabad.

NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS*                                                                                  

* Only public sector data.
Source: Directorate of Education-Muzaffarabad.

STUDENT ENROLLMENT  -2006                     (Nos.)

CLASS-WISE ENROLLMENT

DISTRICT-WISE SCHOOLS                                         Nos.

* Only public sector data.
Source: Directorate of Education-Muzaffarabad.

HEALTH & POPULATION WELFARE-2006

DISTRICT-WISE HEALTH UNITS IN AJ&K        (Nos.)

* First aid posts
Source: Directorate of Health-Muzaffarabad.

HEALTH MANPOWER  STATISTICS   2006

District Wise Population Welfare Units in AJ&K

Source: Directorate of Health-Muzaffarabad.

INSUDTRIES & MINERAL – 2006

DISTRICT-WISE INDUSTRIAL UNITS                           (Nos.)

TYPE OF INDUSTRY 

DETAIL OF INVESTMENT

Source:     Directorate of Industries-Muzaffarabad.

MINERALS-2006

 CATEGORY OF MINERALS

Source:    Directorate of Industries-Muzaffarabad.

TOURISM – 2006

DISTRICT-WISE ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS IN AJ&K.

*RH: Rest house **SGH: State Guest House
Source:    
                 i.   Department of Tourism; 
                 ii. Department of  Forest-Muzaffarabad;
                iii. Department of Industries;
                iv. PWD-Muzaffarabad.

DEVELOPMENT OUTLAYS (1955-2011)

ALLOCATION & UTILIZATION                                    Rs. (Million)

**MTDF:   Medium Term Development Framework.
Source:    *Planning & Development Department-Muzaffarabad.

BUDGET-2006-07

 Source:            Department  of Finance-Muzaffarabad.

Source: Department of Finance-Muzaffarabad.

QUALITY OF LIFE INDICES-2006

Source:   i.  Federal Bureau of Statistics, Islamabad.
ii. Deptts. of Health, Education & Public Works-Muzaffarabad.

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