Hattian Bala District Explained

Settlement Type:District of Azad Kashmir administered by Pakistanz
Image Map1:Kashmir region. LOC 2003626427 - showing sub-regions administered by different countries.jpg
Map Caption1:A map showing Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir (shaded in sage green) in the disputed Kashmir region
Coordinates:34.2°N 120°W
Coor Pinpoint:Hattian Bala
Subdivision Type:Administering country
Subdivision Name:Pakistan
Subdivision Type1:Territory
Subdivision Name1:Azad Kashmir
Subdivision Type2:Division
Subdivision Name2:Muzaffarabad Division
Seat Type:Headquarters
Seat:Hattian Bala
Government Type:District Administration
Leader Title:Deputy Commissioner
Leader Name:Nadeem Ahmed Janjua
Leader Title1:District Police Officer
Leader Name1:N/A
Leader Title2:District Health Officer
Leader Name2:N/A
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Land Km2:854
Population Total:230,529
Population As Of:2017
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Urdu
Demographics1 Title2:Local
Population Density Km2:270
Blank Name Sec1:Number of Tehsils
Blank Info Sec1:3

Hattian Bala District (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|ضلع ہٹیاں بالا) is a district of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. The town of Hattian Bala is where the district headquarters are located. The Hattian Bala District was a part of the Muzaffarabad District until 2009 when it was made a separate district.

History

The Hattian Bala District was a part of the Uri Tehsil of the Baramulla District in Jammu and Kashmir, following the end of the first conflict between India and Pakistan. The initial clash between India and Pakistan ended with a truce, and Hattian Bala was incorporated into the Muzaffarabad District. The district of Hattian Bala was created in July 2009 under Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan's coalition government in Azad Kashmir.

Geography

There are two districts of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir bordering it on the north and east, and Bagh District and Muzaffarabad on the south. It has a population of 230,529 people.[1]

Economy

The rural urban ratio is 90:10. The majority of the rural population depend on agriculture, livestock, and forestry for subsistence. Many people work or are settled abroad in the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and they support their families who they have left behind. The Hattian Bala District is primarily a hilly and mountainous region with stretches of plains along the Jehlum River, which enters the district at the LOC point at Chakothi and continues northwest through the Jehlum Valley. Due to its fast-flowing rivers, the Hattian Bala District has great hydroelectric potential. Hydroelectric power stations are located at Kathai, Leepa, and Sharian. The district's natural environment includes the valleys of Leepa, Khalana Chham, Ghail, Saina Daman Chamm, Dhani Shahdarrah, Charoi, Chinari, Jaskool, Chonoian, Bharyan (Lower Chonoian), and Chakar Salmia.

Languages

The main languages of the district are Pahari (native to about half of the population), Gujari (spoken by about a third), and Kashmiri (native to one out of six inhabitants).[2] [3]

Administrative divisions

The Hattian Bala District consists of three tehsils:[4]

The district council of Hattian Bala has 12 union councils (consisting of eight UCs from Constituency No. 5 and four UCs from Constituency No. 6), one municipal committee at Hattian, and one town committee at Chikar. The rural development department has three centers: Hattian, Leepa, and Chikar. The Assistant Director of LG&RDD Hattian is the administrative officer for rural development, with two project managers at each center.

Education

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2015, the Hattian Bala District is ranked 28 out of 148 districts in terms of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 112 out of 148.[5] The district has few colleges, so many people in the district attend the Allama Iqbal Open University or the AJK University at its main Muzaffarabad campus, at its Neelum campus, or at the recently inaugurated Hattian Bala campus, which has faculties for the teaching of the English Language, computer science, and business administration. Two areas in the district are renowned for education, having high literacy rates: Leepa Valley and the village of Pahal, located near the LOC. The district also has some private institutions, such as the READ Foundation Science College Hattian Bala, the READ Foundation Science College Chenari, and the Smart School Hattian Bala.

Notable people

Raja Farooq Haider Khan belongs from Salmia Hattian bala. He remained PM of AJK from 2016 to 2021. [6] His father Raja Haider khan was also a Nobel man of Chikar Hattian bala.Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Khan has been elected Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir for the term 2023 to 2026. Dr. Khan's educational journey began at Saran High School in Jhelum Valley. He completed his FSC at Government University College in Muzaffarabad and earned his MBBS from Nishtar Medical College in Multan. He further pursued an MPH at Health Services Academy, University of Peshawar, an Executive MBA in Human Resource Management from Preston University Peshawar Campus, and a PhD in Public Health from Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.Dr. Khan has held various medical positions, including Medical Officer at CMH Rawalakot, RHC Lipa, RHC Chikar, and BHU Chhatra Class in Muzaffarabad. He also served as Medical Superintendent at Kashmir Surgical Hospital in Muzaffarabad. Additionally, he was a Member of the Public Service Commission for the Azad Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Head of the Public Health Department at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, and a Public Health Specialist for the Ministry of Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Sahibzada Muhammad Ishaq Zaffar former PPP president AJK also belonged from Bani Hafiz a village of Hattian Bala.The mausoleum of Sikandar Shah kazmi is located in Hattian bala who was a spiritual person his urs is held every year in Hattian Bala.Diwan Ali Khan chughtai is minister of education Schools AJK, he belongs from Hattian Bala.[7] His father Ali Khan Chughtai was also politician and remained minister.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: Census 2017: AJK population rises to over 4m. The Nation. 2017-09-01. en-US.
  2. Book: Statistical Year Book 2020. Muzaffarabad. AJ&K Bureau Of Statistics. 3 March 2022. 140.
  3. Web site: Shakil. Mohsin. 2012. Languages of Erstwhile State of Jammu Kashmir (A Preliminary Study). 12.
  4. Web site: Tehsils of Hattian Bala District on AJK map . ajk.gov.pk . AJK Official Portal . 19 November 2019.
  5. Web site: Individual district profile link, 2015. Alif Ailaan. 2015-05-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040331/http://www.data.com.pk/edurankings/district.php?distid=19010&proid=19&yearid=3. 2016-03-04. dead.
  6. Web site: Call on by Mr. Farooq Haider Khan, Prime Minister Azad Kashmir – Government of Balochistan.
  7. Web site: Cabinet PM AJ&K.
  8. Web site: AJK President Condoles Ali Khan Chughtais Death.