AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR

The State of Azad Kashmir (Liberated Kashmir), is part of the Pakistani administered section of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, along with the Northern Areas; its official name is Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It covers an area of 13,300 km² (5,135 mi²), with its capital at Muzaffarabad, and has an estimated population of almost 4 million people.

Azad Kashmir has been considered politically, constitutionally and geographically as part of a separate state, i.e. Jammu & Kashmir. The said state is disputed territory and has been controlled by both Pakistan and India, since their independence, 14 / 15th August 1947, respectively. Azad Kashmir is under the indirect control of Pakistan and its area is known as Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Its defence, foreign policy and currency are the matters, which are under the direct control of Pakistan. Consequently, the financial matter, i.e. budget and tax affairs have been dealt with Azad Jammu & Kashmir Council, instead of Central Board of Revenue. Azad Jammu & Kashmir Council is a supreme body, consisted upon 11 members, 6 members are from the Government of Azad Jummu & Kashmir, 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 Azad 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.Jammu and Areas of Kashmir valley are controlled by India.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir is the southern most political entity within the Pakistani controlled part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It borders the present-day Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir to the east (separated from it by the Line of Control), the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan to the west, the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) to the north, and the Punjab Province of Pakistan to the south. With its capital at Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir covers an area of 13,297 km² (5,134 mi²) and has an estimated population of about four million.Azad Kashmir's financial matters, i.e., budget and tax affairs, are dealt with by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council, rather than by Pakistan's Central Board of Revenue. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council is a supreme body consisting of 11 members, six from the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and five from the government of Pakistan.
Its chairman/chief executive is the president of Pakistan. Other members of the council are the president and the prime minister of Azad Kashmir and a few other AJK ministers.
Some information about Azad Kashmir:

Azad Kashmir is rich in natural beauty. Its snow-covered peaks, forests, rivers, streams, valleys, velvet green plateaus and climate varying from arctic to tropical, join together to make it an excellent tourist attraction.
Visit scenic valleys like Neelum, Jhelum, Leepa, Rawalakot,Tuli peer, Las dhana, Shairo Thara, Banjosa, Samahni Baghser & Many more....

Azad Kashmir has varied mountainous landscape ranging from low hills to high mountains (2000 to 6000 m) which are suitable for adventure sports like climbing, trekking, mountaineering, summer camping and hiking. Its Rivers & Stream are suitable for white water sports, especially rafting, canoing and kayaking. It has a varied wildlife to see which includes Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Ibex, Grey Goral, Musk Deer, Kashmir Stag, Monal Pheasant, Western Tragopan, Snow Pheasant, Red-led Partridge, Black Koklas Pheasant, Peacock, Dusk Markhor etc.

Capital City: Muzaffarabad
Largest City: Mirpur
Population (2009): 4,569,580 (estimate)
Area: 13,297 km²
Main languages: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindko, Mirpuri, Pahari, Gojri and Sudhani.
Status: self-governing state under Pakistani control

Districts:
Muzaffarabad
Neelum
Mirpur
Bhimber
Kotli
Poonch
Bagh
Sudhnuti

Towns: 19
Union Councils: 182

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