Mirpur District is a district in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Territory. The district is named after the main city - Mirpur. The District of Mirpur has a population of 371,000 and covers an area 1,010 km2. The district is mostly plain with some hilly areas, its hot and dry climate and other geographical conditions closely resemble those of Jhelum and Gujrat, the adjoining Districts of Pakistan.

Administration

Mirpur District is located in the south west of the Kashmir region - it is part of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Azad Kashmir has been considered politically, constitutionally and geographically as part of a separate state, i.e. Jammu & Kashmir.

Consequently, fiscal issues, i.e. budget and tax affairs have been dealt with by the 'Jammu & Kashmir Council', instead of the Central Board of Revenue. Jammu & Kashmir Council is a supreme body, consisting of 11 members - 6 of these members are from the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and 5 members are from the Government of Pakistan.

Also its Chairman / Chief Executive is always the President of Pakistan. Hence, the rest of members are Pakistan Occupied Kashmir's own Prime Minister and President and some ministers, (also note that Azad Kashmir has its own President, Prime Minister and legislative assembly also supreme-court and high-court & other departments). The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) is responsible for tax affairs of rest of all Pakistani territory, i.e. all four provinces and the capital, Islamabad.

Immigration

People from this region of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir have historically looked abroad for employment. Many a ship employed Mirpuri boiler men in the age of steam. During the two world wars many Mirpuris enlisted in the merchant navy and armed services. During the last four decades a large number of people from this district have gone abroad, especially to United Kingdom for earning their livelihood. The Mangla Dam project in the early sixties resulted in the displacement of a large number of people, who under an agreement between the Pakistan government and the British government, were allowed to settle in the UK, where they are usually known as Mirpuri and play a role in the British society, economy, and politics.

Apart from UK people of Mirpur have also gone to Mideast countries like Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Oman. Almost in every country of the world usually Mipuri people represent the Pakistani community. These people have also secured their culture and have not left their language and other moral values and they are proud of it.

As such, they are today the major foreign exchange earning resource for Pakistan. Around 50,000 people were moved from this district in the mid-sixties to make way for the construction of Mangla Dam, but corrupt handling of funds meant long drawn out delays in completing the project. Most of these people settled in new Mirpur whilst some moved elsewhere in Pakistan or to the UK.

Subdivisions

The district is administratively subdivided into three tehsils, these are:

• Chakswari
• Dadyal
• Mirpur

Notable places

• Baghsar Lake
• Bandala Valley
• Islamgarh - a famous town of Mirpur.
• Khari Sharif - located 8km from Mirpur, famous for its Sufi shrines.
• Mangla, a town 16km from Mirpur, it is situated at the mouth of the Mangla Dam for which it is famous.
• Rajoa
• Sahalia
• Samahni Valley
• Ramkot Fort

Ethnic groups

The people of Mirpur District are divided into a number of ethnic groups and tribes, these are:

• Awan- Mostly in Sungot and Khari Sharif and Andrah Kalan Islamarh, many people have settled in the UK.
• Arain- They are low in numbers but they mostly rich people with a tendency towards business.
• Gujjars - Last of the three main castes. Though Gujjars in Mirpur are in a minority, compared to Jatt and Rajputs, they are very much united and active economically and politically.
• Jatt- They represent the majority population of Mirpur. Main Jatt heartlands are Dadyal, Chakswari and main city of Mirpur. The countryside around the city of Mirpur is overwhelmingly inhabited by Jatts. Jatts take an active role in the politics and bureaucracy of Mirpur. Sub clans of Jatts are Thathal, Ranyal, Nangyal and Dhamal. There is some debate as to whether these Jatts are similar to those of Pakistan and Indian Punjab as Jatts are commonly attatched the Punjab.
• Mughals- Mughals are not involved in politics but they are very active in the education sector.
• Rajputs - Second highest place for population, they play an active role in politics and bureaucracy. Mostly resident in Main city, Panjeri and Khari Sharif region. The sub-clans of Rajputs include Gakhar, Chibs, Punwar Solans, Minhas and Jarrals.
• Sadat People - Though they are not big in numbers they are an active people and occupy important positions in all sectors.

Notable People of Old Mirpur

• Ch. Khadim Hussain of Chechian (MLA)
• Ch. Noor Hussain of Chechian (Politician).
• General Raja Akbar Khan of Kalri(panjeri)
• Raja Allah Dad Khan of Lehri (Jagirdar)
• Raja Bashir Ahmed Khan of Mehmunpur (Zaildar)
• Raja Gul Nawaz Khan of Lehri (Zaildar)
• Raja Fazal Dad Khan of Panjeri(winner of Military cross)
• Raja Sajawal Khan of Mehmunpur (Zaildar and Assessor)
• Subah Sadiq Shah of Nawan Garan (Activist of Quran Movement)

References

• http://www.ajk.gov.pk/main/