Rawalkot (Rawalakot) Introduction

A Beautiful View of Rawalakot city.

Rawalakot ( راولا کوٹ ) is a city in Azad kashmir, and is the capital of Poonch District (AJK).It is in a Saucer-shaped valley.The altitude of this beautiful saucer-shaped valley is 1615 meters(5300ft).It is 70 kilometres (47 miles) from Kohala and 35 kilometrs (23 miles) from Azad patan.It is also linked with Rawalpindi/Islamabad via Azad Pattan and Tain Dhalkot and with Muzaffarabad via Kohala and Sudhangali by asphalt roads. Surrounding villages include Dahmni, Anyari, Paraat, singola, Pothi Bala/Makwalan, Kharek, Topa Soon aka Soon Topa or just Topa, Kaimon, Titrot,Thorar, Motialmara, Tranni, Hussainkot, Banjosa, Trar Dewan, Dreak, Chare, Chuck, Hurnamaira, Rehara, Tain, and Pachiot. Bagh District lies to the north and Sudhnuti District lies to the south of Rawalakot. It shares borders with occupied Kashmir in the east and is bounded to Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Muree Pakistan in the west. (From the end of the 17th century to 1837, Poonch/Rawalakot was ruled by the Muslim Rajas of Loran. It then fell into the hands of Raja Faiz Talab Khan of Rahuri. In 1846 after the Treaty of Amritsar, it was handed over to Mahrajah Gulab Singh. He handed over Poonch and some other areas to his nephews, Jawahar Singh and Moti Singh with some legal stipulations. Poonch was annexed and converted into a Jagir by Mahrajah Hari Singh in 1935-36 by deposing the Raja of Poonch. The Dogras always found it difficult to rule in Poonch. In 1947, the people of Poonch & Rawalakot started an armed struggle against the Dogra and Indian forces.) The road passing through (Jalooth) Paniola connects Rawalakot to Arja, Bagh And Muzaffarabad. Estimated population of the town is 50,000.

During summer the place becomes full of green grass and beautiful flowers including many varieties of roses and other mixed species of wildflowers.In the winter snow falls start during the month of December and last through feburary.

Rawalakot is one of the Most beautiful valley of Azad Kashmir, located approximately 80 kilometers from Rawalpindi and Islamabad via Kahutta, Azad Patan, Guoien Nalla, road. Being three and a half hour drive from Islamabad to Rawalakot, as the roads are narrow, mostly single lane and always under some type of construction. Rawalakot is also known locally as the "Pearl Valley".

Mape of Rawalakot District Poonch.

(Click on image to view inlarg version)

Rawalakot has an Airport which has not functioned since 2000 due to lack of demand for air travel by local population and the indifference of the Government of Pakistan. This Airport is situated near Chuck Bazar approximatively 1 kilometre from Chare and approximately 3 KM from Rawalakot Main City. The Shaeed Galla /Toli peer and Banjosa lake are very famous places in Rawalakot District, These are 20km and 40 kilo meters from Rawalakot and beautiful natural scenes and forest.

Banjosa Lake

Banjosa Lake Rawalakot Azad Kashmir

Banjosa is Situated 20 kilometers from Rawalakot, at an altitude of 1981 meters. Its scenic beauty and impressive surrounding is compelling and attracts tourists to reach here to enjoy the nature for a possible comeback. Amidst the captivating beauty of Banjosa the artificial lake reflects the dense forest standing along the surrounding of the resting calm waters of Banjosa lake.The nearby worth seeing areas of Banjosa are Jandali, Hussain kot and Devi gali which can't be simply bypassed for a pleasure trip. The distance parting the destinations from Banjosa are 3 km, 4kms and 12 km respectively. These places portray rich inherent natural beauty encompassing all others while awaiting visitors for a comfortable stay.

Heart tuching View of Banjosa lake

Tolipeer

Tolipeer is a hill station in Rawalakot, a hilltop 40 kilo meters from Rawalakot, It is located at the drive of 45 minute from Rawalakot city. Abbaspur, Bagh and Poonch River can be viewed from Tolipeer.
Tolipir is the highest mountainous location and the most attractive point in the north-eastern area of Rawalakot. Tolipir offers outback time on wide spread grassy fields and aspiring views as it is the origin point of three different mountainous ridges. The tourism rest-house on the way to tolipir is also located on a very scenic location. There are some old remains of a Mazaar at the highest top of Tolipir. Weather is pleasant in summer.

Tolipeer in pictures

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Click on image to view inlarg version
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Communications

1- Two privately owned Cable Television systems are available in Rawalakot, which transmits Pakistani and international television programs.

2- A local FM radio station has been established and broadcasts at FM 105.8 .

3- Cell phone service is available through five private Cell Phone Operators Paktel, Mobilink, Ufone, Warid, Telenor, Scom, PTCLWireless also available.

4- The local phone company is operated by pakistan army by the name of Scom.

5- Construction of Guoien Nalla road between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan has considerably reduced the distance travel time between Rawalakot Islamabd/rawalpindi.

Publications and Literary Activities

Local periodical by the name of Dharti(edited by Abid Siddique) is published monthly. Many authors as well as poets have been produced in the valley of Rawalakot. Internationally recognized magazine Mearaj International is well circulated in Rawalakot published from Kashmir, Pakistan & UK Daily news papers from pakistan are available in English as well as urdu.Most read newspaper is the Jang and the most listened to Radio Station is BBC london and Vice of Kashmir FM 105 Rawalakot.

Education

In addition to The Agriculture University Azad Kashmir, Rawalakot has a Government College for men and for women, and polytechnic college, numerous higher Secondary schools/High Schools and a number of private schools.

Hotels and Rest Houses

Small hotels with living accommodations are available in and around the city. Government owned cabins are available in Rawalakot and Bunjosa Advance reservations are recommended as most of these accommodations are used by Government Officials on their tours.

Culture

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

Climate

Average temperature during the summer varies from 60 °F (16 °C) to 75 °F (24 °C). During the winter snow falls start during the month of December and last through January. Rainy season starts from April through June.

Shopping

Rawalakot has a down town which consists of shops selling everything from groceries to electronic goods.

Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

There are very few active non governmental organizations working in Rawalakot. Press For Peace (PFP) very active local NGO. PFP was established by Khawaja Zafar Iqbal a famous journalist and peace activist from Trar village of Rawalakot. However,PFP headquarters is based in Muzaffarabad, while it has extended its network across Kashmir and abroad.

Click here for Press for peace Official web site 

Naya Ouffaq:  Is a Jammu Kashmir based non-profit organization that was founded by  Mrs Night Arshad an ardent and enthusiastic sociologist in April 2010.Naya Ouffaq is the leading national  organisation working with the different sectors.The purpose is to ensure a Healthy environment by giving     education, providing social awareness by empowering women and community development. 

Naya Ouffaq is working in the following sectors, which are; 

•  HEALTH
•  EDUCATION
•  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
•  DRUG ABUSE
•  WOMEN-EMPOWERMENT  

Click here for Naya Ouffaq official web page 

Rawalakot in Videos