Mirpur district comprises partly plain and partly hilly areas. Mirpur beautiful lush green valleys AJK. Its hot climate and other geographical conditions closely resemble those of Jhelum and Gujrat, the adjoining districts of Pakistan. The people of this area are basically farmers. Since the 1960s, a large number of people from this district have gone abroad, especially to the United Kingdom and the Middle East, for economic reasons. As such they are today the major foreign exchange earning source for Azad Kashmir and Pakistan. Around 50,000 people were moved from this district in the mid-sixties to make way for the construction of Mangla Dam. Most of these people settled in new Mirpur whilst some moved to Pakistan and abroad.
Khari Shraif
Khari Sharif is a farming region in Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir. Generally speaking, Alaqa-e-Khari (transformation in English: Area of Khari) refers to the lush plains of Khari which exist among the hills of Mirpur and the river Jhelum. Khari Sharif has some 80 tiny and big towns and one of the towns itself is known as Khari Sharif. It is situated at a distance of 8 kilometers from the city of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir and is known for housing the Shrines of Sufi Saints known as Peer-e-Shah Ghazi (Qalandar Damriyan Wali Sarkar) and Mian Mohammad Baksh. The place acts as an immense seat of wisdom for students of Islam. Dervishes (disciples) of the Saint can be seen today wandering not just in Azad Kashmir but all over Pakistan.
Mangla Mirpur beautiful lush green valleys AJK
Mangla is situated in Mirpur District, Azad Kashmir at the edge with Jhelum district Punjab, with Jhelum River making the border line. Mangla is an olden town and is slated to be named after Mangla Devi. It is also the site of crossing of river Jhelum by Alexander forces in front of Raja Porus. At the time of creation of Mangla dam, towns of Baral, Baruti and Thill across the river in Jhelum district were developed as housing colonies and offices for overseas employees and officials. This has now been transformed to a armed cantonment and referred as Mangla cantonment. Mangla is positioned 10 km from Mirpur city at the mouth of the Mangla Dam.
Mangla Lake
The construction of the Dam Lake, which has a outer limits of 400 km, has turned it into a place of interest. The Mangla Dam water storage and power generation project was the start of the construction of jumbo projects in Pakistan. Mangla also hosts the Mangla Power Station which is second biggest in Pakistan and 12th biggest in the world. Mangla is also the site of famous Mangla castle. The castle is situated on a high hill overlooking Jhelum river in-between Mirpur and Jhelum districts. Most of the castle was razed during the assembly of Mangla Dam fraction remained and served as a public leisure place. It is now closed to common public due to Mangla dam upraising project.
What Not to Do
Do not Photograph bridges and military installations,
Do not swim in the rivers
Do not Travel without your passport and other travel documents in the Northern Areas.
Do not Photograph local women without his permission
Do not Drive on mountain roads at night.