| Location Surrounding villages include Tarar Khal, Topa | | | | RAZ, ICAO: OPRT) is located at Rawala kot in Azad |
| Soon aka Soon Topa or just Topa, Kaimon, pakgali, | | | | Kashmir, Pakistan. Publications and Literary Activities |
| Motialmara, Trar Dewan, Chare, Chuck, Tranni, | | | | Local periodical by the name of Dharti(edited by Abid |
| Dahmni, Singola, Parat, Pothi Bala/Makwalan, Kharek, | | | | Siddique) is published monthly. Many authors as well |
| Dreak and Dhok, Banjosa, Hussainkot, Hurnamaira, | | | | as poets have been produced in the valley of |
| Thorar, Rehara, Tain, Bhalgran, and Pachiot. Bagh | | | | Rawalakot. Internationally recognized magazine Mearaj |
| District lies to the north and Sudhnuti District lies to | | | | International is well circulated in Rawalakot published |
| the south of Rawalakot. The road passing through | | | | from Kashmir, Pakistan & UK Daily news papers |
| (Jalooth)Paniola connects Rawalakot to Bagh And | | | | from Pakistan are available in English as well as Urdu. |
| Muzaffarabad. While towards the West are Murree, | | | | Most read newspaper is the Urdu daily Jang and the |
| Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions of Pakistan. | | | | most listened to Radio Statio is BBC London and |
| Rawalakot is liked with kotli via Mandhole & | | | | Voice of Kashmir FM 105 Rawalakot[citation needed]. |
| Tattapani. Mandhole is the nice place located beside | | | | Rawalakot Bazaar 2005 Earthquake Damage |
| the poonch river was the part of Mehnder before | | | | Rawalakot Famous Parhari writeres include Dr. |
| 1947, Rawalakot map A political map of Kashmir | | | | Muhammad Sagheer Khan, Liaqet Laiq and Hameed |
| showing the different districts. Rawalakot has an | | | | Kamran. Earthquake of 2005 2005 Earthquake Relief |
| airport which has not functioned since 2000 due to | | | | Rawalakot. Cuban Field Hospital On Saturday, October |
| lack of demand for air travel by the local population | | | | 8, 2005 a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed more than |
| and the indifference of the Government of Pakistan. | | | | 30,000 people and left up to three million homeless in |
| This Airport is situated near Chuck Bazar | | | | AJK alone. The city of Rawalakot, the capital of the |
| approximatively 1 kilometre from Chare and | | | | Sudhan tribe, suffered significant damage from the |
| approximately 3 KM from Rawalakot Main | | | | 2005 Kashmir earthquake; although most of the |
| City[citation needed] Construction of Guoien Nalla | | | | buildings were left standing, many of them were |
| road between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan has | | | | rendered uninhabitable, and some of the population |
| considerably reduced the distance travel time. The | | | | was left homeless. Most of the buildings have been |
| Shaeed Galla /Toli peer and Singola East is very | | | | reconstructed, though without the help of the |
| famous places in Rawalakot District, it is 20 km from | | | | Governments of Pakistan or Azad Kashmir. Hotels |
| Rawalakot and beautiful natural scenes and forest. | | | | and Rest Houses Small hotels with living |
| Communications Two privately owned Cable | | | | accommodations are available in and around the city. |
| Television systems are available in Rawalakot, which | | | | Government owned cabins are available in Rawalakot |
| transmits Pakistani and international television | | | | and Banjosa. Advance reservations are |
| programs. COMPUTER WORLD RAWALAKOT(Chief | | | | recommended as most of these accommodations |
| Executive Sardar Shaukat Asghar)DSL Internet | | | | are used by Government Officials on their tours. |
| service is available through Computer World | | | | Deira House Climate Average temperature during the |
| Rawalakot,Office Block(6)Gulf Shopping Complex | | | | summer varies from 60 F (16 C) to 75 F (24 C). |
| Rawalakot.Tel Office:+92-5824-442876 | | | | During the winter snow falls start during the month |
| Fax:+92-5824-444961 Cell No:+92-3335628763.Email: A | | | | of December and last through January. Rainy season |
| local FM radio station has been established and | | | | starts from April through June. Culture Rawalakot has |
| broadcasts at FM 105.2. Cell phone service is available | | | | no theatres, however the university does have some |
| through five private cell phone operators | | | | sorts of cultural events. Shopping Rawalakot has a |
| zong,Mobilink, Ufone, Warid, Telenor, SCOM. PTCL | | | | down town which consists of shops selling everything |
| Wireless also available. The local phone company is | | | | from groceries to electronic goods. Non governmental |
| operated by Pakistan Army . Construction of Guoien | | | | organizations(NGOs) There are very few active non |
| Nalla road between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan has | | | | governmental organizations working in Rawalakot. |
| considerably reduced the distance travel time. | | | | Press for Peace (PFP) is a very active local NGO. PFP |
| Rawalakot-Poonch Trade Route Before the partition | | | | was established by Khawaja Zafar Iqbal, a journalist |
| of the subcontinent, the Rawalakot trade route was | | | | and peace activist from Trar village of Rawalakot. |
| the only road link between Poonch and Sudhnati, now | | | | However, PFP headquarters is based in Muzaffarabad, |
| called Rawalakot, the Line of Control (LoC) is 15 | | | | while it has extended its network across Kashmir and |
| kilometres from Hajira and 43 kilometres from | | | | abroad.Its international Office has shifted to UK. Naya |
| Rawalakot. After the Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, a | | | | Ouffaq (War Against Drugs),is a Jammu and Kashmir |
| part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir comprising | | | | based non-profit organization that was founded by |
| Bagh, Sudhanoti (Rawalakot), Mendhar and Haveli | | | | Dr.Nighat Younas (PhD) Village Pothi Bala, Tehsil |
| were declared as the State of Poonch and | | | | Rawalakot, a ardent and enthusiastic sociologist |
| transferred to Raja Moti Singh as his Jagir (landed | | | | approximately one year ago. Naya Ouffaq is the |
| estate). The ethnic diversity of this region offers a | | | | leading national organisation working with and for |
| unique blend of different tribes and clans. Toli pir | | | | families affected by drugs.The purpose of the |
| Parking area Tehsil Mendhar in the State of Poonch | | | | organization is to create awareness against drugs |
| was the most fertile area in this region. Trade and | | | | use, combat drugs through sports--to get young |
| agricultural links between people of Rawalakot and | | | | people involved in sports and activities in an effort to |
| Poonch were common. Apart from agriculture, sheep | | | | keep them from negative thinking.Naya Ouffaq plays |
| and goat farming was the major source of income | | | | a key role as a community voice,quality drug |
| for the people of Poonch region. The | | | | information,promote effective responses to drug |
| Poonch-Rawalakot trade route played an important | | | | taking,in touch with every day Pakistanies - families |
| role in the economy of this area. It was one of the | | | | and young people - via newsletters, community |
| few trade routes in the entire state of Jammu and | | | | forums and the media, to ensure a clear message of |
| Kashmir which remained open throughout the year. | | | | healthy, drug free lifestyles is assured for generations |
| Traders and businessmen freely traded fruits, | | | | to come. Education In addition to The Agriculture |
| vegetables, dry fruits, wool, tobacco, cereals, rice, | | | | University of Azad Kashmir, Rawalakot has a |
| spices and many other items. Barter trade system | | | | Government College for men and for women, |
| was followed by most of the traders and | | | | numerous higher Secondary schools/High Schools and |
| businessmen. Although major chunk of the people | | | | a number of private schools. During the earthquake |
| income went to the State rulers through taxes, | | | | of October 8, 2005, many degree colleges were |
| including Abiana and Maalia, duties, fines, and forced | | | | badly damaged, but these have not yet been rebuilt. |
| labour, there was economic activity and the region | | | | Population Rawalakot has an estimated population of |
| was considered rich in resources. Much has been | | | | 50,000. Over 70% of the population belongs to the |
| conceived and propagated about ethnic and religious | | | | Awan & Sudhan. The remaining is of the |
| divide between the rulers and the ruled in the former | | | | population includes Kiani's, Syed's, , Mughal,s]] and |
| state of Jammu and Kashmir. But an impartial and | | | | many others. najum shah andnan sultan is coming to |
| unbiased study of the Dogra rule would expose that | | | | rawalakot to promote education that will be up to |
| socio-economic conditions of the population played an | | | | the worldwide standerd Famous Personalities from |
| important role in the emergence of a conflict | | | | Rawalakot Sardar Ibrahim Khan,First president of |
| between the rulers and the masses. It is on the | | | | Azad Kashmir. Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Former Prime |
| record that rulers of the state imposed taxes on | | | | Minister of Azad Kashmir Major General (Retired) |
| most of the belongings which one could own in his | | | | Muhammad Hayyat Khan, former President of Azad |
| household e.g. cattle, utensils, hearths, windows, | | | | Kashmir. Saira Khan International(BBC..)TV |
| crops, agricultural tools and even wives. There was | | | | presenter,entrepreneur Major General (Rtd) Sardar |
| no other choice for the people to protect their | | | | Muhammad Anwar Khan, former President of Azad |
| belongings than to defy the authoritarian rule. The | | | | Kashmir. Justice Sardar Muhammed Nawaz Khan, |
| most crushed and trodden among the masses turned | | | | Current Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Azad |
| into the most violent dissidents and liberated their | | | | Kashmir. Sardar Masood Khan Ambassador of |
| lands and belongings. Bagh, Rawalakot and parts of | | | | Pakistan to the Peoples Republic of China. Tasnim |
| Haveli were liberated and the area liberated was | | | | Aslam Ambassador of Pakistan to Italy. Engr.Sardar |
| named as Azad (free) Kashmir. Poonch town, the | | | | Muhammad Hafeez Khan, Former Head of |
| capital of this tiny state stood isolated and besieged | | | | Transmission and Distribution, Ministry of Electricity, |
| till November, 1948 when Indian forces recaptured | | | | Government of Oman. Currently Business Director |
| this town. As the region was divided, a large number | | | | Middle East with Siemens Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan, |
| of families got divided on both sides of the Cease | | | | current member Legislative Assembly of Azad |
| Fire Line (later named as LoC) having no contact with | | | | Kashmir and President of Jammu Kashmir People |
| each other. This is the most tragic element of the | | | | Party. General (Retd) Muhammad Rahim Khan, former |
| existence of Line of Control. After the emergence of | | | | Chief of Pakistan Army in East Pakistan, Former |
| LoC not only the families were divided but their | | | | Chairman Pakistan International Airlines, Former |
| businesses also ruined. Agricultural and grazing lands | | | | Chairman Pakistan Chrome Mines Ltd and Secretary |
| were bifurcated. Guns replaced the crops and cattle. | | | | General of the Ministry of Defense of Pakistan. |
| Telecommunication The SCO provides the main | | | | Sardar Ejaz Afzal Khan, Former Ameer Jamat-i-Islami |
| network of landline telephone with minority shares of | | | | Azad Kashmir, President MMA Azad Kashmir Shaikh |
| other operators. All major mobile phone companies | | | | Ghulam Ahmad, author, educator, philanthropist |
| operating in Pakistan provide service in Rawalakot. | | | | & Fighter Pilot. Royal Indian Air Force. M. |
| Broadband internet access is available from DSL, and | | | | Rasheed Khan, former chairman, Pakistan Banking |
| WiFi hotspot available in Rawalakot Dehra Khrike azad | | | | Council. Financial consultant. Sabir Hussain Sabir |
| kashmir. Rawalakot Bar Association The Rawalakot | | | | International Award winning Author,English/Urdu poet |
| Bar Association invited the Chief Justice of Pakistan, | | | | and writer Author of Dasht-e-Tanhai,Hajir Kay baad, |
| Iftikhar Chaudhry to address the Bar Association on | | | | Look out and Ganjeen-e-Afkaar. Khawaja Zafar |
| June 30, 2007. The Bar Association is an active part | | | | Iqbal,renown journalist,peace activist**,founder of |
| of the community. Rawalakot Turkey College for Girls | | | | Press for Peace(PFP),currently residing in UK where |
| The Rawalakot Turkiye College for Girls, a unique | | | | he is associated with research about Media and |
| school has been established in Rawalakot to replace | | | | Globalisation. Sardar Sagheer Ahmed Khan Chairman |
| the Post-Graduate College for Girls, located at | | | | Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Justice Sardar |
| Kharick, which faced severe destruction in the | | | | Mohammad Sharif Khan Former Chief Justice of |
| October 2005 earthquake. Through a joint | | | | Supreme Court Azad Kashmir. Dr. Shams-ud-din Khan |
| organization of IHLAS Media Holding of Germany and | | | | Awan Being the first PhD Gold Medalist in Maths from |
| DITIB (Religious Affairs of Turkish Islamic Union | | | | Quaid-e-azam university Belongs to Singola Azad |
| Germany), the Government of Turkey took on the | | | | Kashmir. Justice Raja Mohammad Khurshid Khan |
| task for the construction of Rawalakot | | | | former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Azad |
| Post-Graduate Girls College with the Earthquake | | | | Kashmir. Justice Sardar Said Muhammad Khan Former |
| Relief and Rehabilitation Authority. The reconstruction | | | | Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir. |
| effort was later joined by the Turkish Islamic Union | | | | Raja Muhammad Altaf Kayani Former |
| of Netherlands which participated through donations | | | | secretary&Member PSC AJ&K Dr Nighat |
| of Basic Health Unit facilities to the said school. The | | | | Younas Phd Founder and Executive Director of "Naya |
| design, construction, decoration and landscaping of | | | | Ouffaq" (War Against Drugs) Virtual Tour of |
| the school have been carried out by Turcon Private | | | | Rawalakot Ali Sojal way to Toli pir Toli pir Cloudy |
| Limited. A geological survey of the land led to the | | | | weather References ^ List Of Fm Radio Licences |
| decision of construction limited to two floors. In a | | | | Issued By Pemra ^ Special Communications |
| campus-wise set-up, all the buildings have been | | | | Organization ^ Azad Jammu & Kashmir - About |
| scattered in a 240,000 square feet (22,000 m2) | | | | Poonch ^ Pakistan Meteorological Department ^ |
| area. The educational facilities include 30 classrooms, | | | | Education Statistic External links Azad jammu & |
| five laboratories, a gymnasium, hostel, lodgment for | | | | kashmir Tourism Apna Rawalakot Naya ouffaq (War |
| teachers, principal house, BHU, Mosque, multi-purpose | | | | Against Drugs) Sudhun Rawalakot Guest House |
| hall, and an administration block. A total of 14 buildings | | | | RAWALAKOT Rawalakot video 1 Rawalakot video 2 |
| exceeding a covered area of 60,000 square feet | | | | Rawalakot video 3 Rawalakot development issues |
| (5,600 m2) have been built for the school. Basic | | | | forum Beauty full wallpapers Official Web Site of |
| amenities such as computers, television sets, music | | | | Azad Kashmir Apna rawalkot Invasion of Kashmir |
| system, sofa sets, beds, mattresses and blankets | | | | Awan of singola Government of Azad Jammu and |
| for teachers and students have been arranged for | | | | Kashmir Azad Jammu and Kashmir travel guide from |
| with the help of donors. Thousands of trees and | | | | Wikitravel Britannica - Azad Kashmir Eurojournals page |
| flowers have also been planted for landscaping. | | | | about dwellings in Azad Kashmir Site for overseas |
| Construction was done using conventional methods. | | | | Kashmiris and about ajkcouncil About tourism in Azad |
| Both ends of the buildings have been strengthened | | | | Kashmir Tourist guide to Azad Kashmir with brief |
| through shear walls, providing an earthquake-proof | | | | facts Another tourist guide to Azad Kashmir with |
| structure to ensure safety of the children. The | | | | brief facts World atlas page about Azad Kashmir |
| materials used in construction are the same as in the | | | | status About Azad Kashmir Introduction to Azad |
| developed countries. Lightweight insulated shingle roof | | | | Kashmir Hydropower Potential in AJK U.K based |
| material has been imported and used for the first | | | | report sucess in Kashmir earthquake response Azad |
| time in Pakistan for added comfort. Well-insulated | | | | Kashmir community development programme Azad |
| U-PVC type windows have also been used. The | | | | Jammu and Kashmir : Planning and development |
| college will be inaugurated on April 7 at 12.30 p.m. | | | | department District Profile Rawalakot/Poonch |
| Rawalakot Air Port Rawalakot Airport is non | | | | Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation |
| operational as there is no demand for the air service | | | | Authority Coordinates: 3352 7346 / 33.867N 73.767E |
| provided by Pakistan International Airlines. The Airport | | | | 33.867; 73. |
| has been closed since 1998. Rawalakot Airport (IATA: | | | | |