Khuiratta

Khuiratta (Urdu: کھوئی رٹہ‬‎) or Khoi ratta, as known in Britain, is the chief town of Kotli District, in the Azad Kashmir. Khuiratta is linked with Kotli & Nakyal by a circular road and to Mirpur (80 km) with two links one via Dhongi-Charhoi and the other via Darghoti-Charhoi. Khuiratta is also linked with Seri, Battal and Ghaian (via Manjwal and Dheri Sahibzadian), Khuiratta is also linked with Rajori (Indian-administrated Kashmir) via Seri but this road is now closed at the point Janjoot Bhadar, as Indian army has occupied Rajori and that side of rest kashmir and placed a temporary division by a border line at Janjoot Bhadar.

Khuiratta Azad Kashmir
Khuiratta Azad Kashmir
Coordinates: 33°21′36″N 74°01′37″E / 33.360°N 74.027°E / 33.360; 74.027

Location

Khuiratta lies 29 km southeast of Kotli and 165 km from Islamabad, to the east. Khuiratta is approximately 7 kilometres from the Line Of Control (LOC). It is the second largest town of District Kotli after Kotli City. It has an elevation of 2570 feet above sea-level. Khuiratta is situated on the western side of Rajouri (IHK), with Tehsile Charhoi to the west, Rajouri to the east, Noshehra (IHK) to the south, Tehsile Nakyal to the north east and Kotli to the north west.

Tourism

Khuiratta and its surrounding areas are very popular among tourists. At approximately a distance of 4 kilometres from Khuiratta is a famous shrine of "Mai Totti Sahiba" also known as Darbar Mai Toti. Another known shrine of Baba Ali Lashkar is located at Dheri Sahibzadian. Both the locations are visited by hundreds of people daily. Late Sardar Aziz Ahmed started the construction of one of the biggest hospitals of Azad Kashmir in Khuiratta.

Khuiratta is famous for the annual Basakhi (Mela Maveshian). Thousands of people from the Kotli and other adjoining districts and pakistan attend the festival in spring to watch sports, animal parades and horticultural displays. For many years this mela was being held in Dheari Bagh Ground. Lately it has been moved to Sihoor Beelaa Cricket Stadium as it caused much disturbance to the local residents. This mela lasts for three days; activities include , Neza bazi, Bazu giri, bull racing, wrestling, football and other form of traditional entertainment.

Khuiratta is a beautiful area, full of natural springs and waterfalls. Several springs emerge from the mountains at Bahees Naraha(Bahee Narrah means 22 natural water springs)In ancient times this was an important Hindu place of worship. Close to Khui Ratta are the Bagh Fatehpur Dehari and Bagh Sain Hazuri which are known for their natural beauty. Thousands of people flock to the Mai-ka-Makam Shrine (Mai Toti Sahiba), some 4 km from Khui Ratta city, to pay homage to Mai Toti Sahiba.

It is important to note that tourism is restricted to locals or inhabitants of Pakistan. In order for foreigners to visit they have to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) which if granted is only valid for 4 days. The whole of the Azad Kashmir area is similarly restricted by the occupying forces of Pakistan and entrance to the area is marked by signs stating "Foreigners Not Allowed". The Indian army occasionally shells the area from the LOC. Before the cease-fire agreement between Pakistan and India, there were military and civilian casualties.

Villages and community

Darkalla is a famous Valley known as Wadi e Banah. Smaller villages located in Khuiratta have mosques. They are also home to shrines of some religious scholars like Mian Imam Baksh of Hujra near Tokahn. There is also a shrine of Hazarat Baba Ali Lashkar of Dheri Sahibzadian and Pir Haider Shah of Dehari Bagh and Sheikh Alai Jee at khuiratta.

Geography

Khuiratta is situated very close to the Line Of Control (LOC), only 8 km away, the temporary border between Indian held Kashmir and Azad Kashmir. It has some notable small towns and villages namely,Dehari Baagh,Damandah, Bindian, Dheri Sahibzadian, Gurah, Gitran, Hujra, Merah, Biyal, Manjwaal, Gheyaien,Karjai, Broat Gala, Anderla Kotehra, Phalni, Seri, Manjwar, Bandli, Saidpur, Darkala, Bain Thalla,Sehore, Phehan, Khajorla, Thill, Hill Mughalan, Banni Bannah, Khore bhera, Dhaana,Roshan Abad(formerly Andha), Gohra,pathan mohrha, Barooth, Katasery, Chirri,Battal, Barie, Samlaar, Plaana, Darbar Mai Toti,taeen, Dharaa, khore kalla chamber, Nidi Sohana. Khore Rachalla, Khore Graan, Morah Bakhshiyan, Ruknabad, Sarootiyan, Gangal, Chirri, Batal, Barahi, Gajiyari, Bandali, Mohajar Colony, Hilla Ghair and chakranda

Khuiratta is connected with Kotli via road through Manila.

Few years back Aziz welfare trust constructed a huge hospital, which was considered to be a mega project. However the Hospital could not get into its 2nd phase due to death of Mr. Abdul Aziz (Chairman of Aziz Welfare Trust) therefore it is just a building. These days an International level community health center (RAHMA Basic Health Center) is providing basic health & lab facilities to needy and poor people in the area of Khuiratta and surroundings.This hospital is the great achievement of Mr.Muhammad Saghir Qamar (Chairman RAHMA Islamic Relief, Pakistan) and gift from friends of Norway,which is providing free medical consultation, medicine and lab facilities to poor people of khuiratta.

Khuiratta is connected to kotli on one side, nakyal on west LOC on east and on south is charoi.

Khuiratta is connected to main road to Jammu (India Held part).

Needi Sohana is the union council of Khuiratta and the highest point of the Kotli district and the famous Khui Forest is located in this union council this fores see on google earth.

Population

Its population is over 100,000 which is mostly educated. The Jarral, Gujjar, Rajput, Jaat, Hashmi, Khokhar, Chauhan,Malik and Mughal tribes form the majority. List of registered voters 89000 at an estimation of 2004 of this constituency i.e., 22000 Gujjars, 18000 Rajput, 16000 Jatt, 7000 Jarrals, 6000 Khokhar, 13000 Mughal & Malik, 31700 other tribes, Khuiratta is in the Azad Kashmir Assembly constituency, LA 12 Kotli 5. Name of constituency main areas are following Patwar Circles of Kotli Tehsil/ Tehsil Khuiratta: 1. Khor, 2.Sarhotta, 3.Dheri Sahibzadian, 4.Seri Manjwar, 5.Khui-Ratta, 6.Bihal, 7.Dhanna, 8.Andarla Koterra, 9.Samlar, 10.Manjwal, 11.Sarhuta, 12.Nidi Sohana, 13.Daraha sehoor, 14. Battal Barehi, 15. Andha, 15. Darbaar Mai Totti

Education

Shaykh Jee/Alai Sahib(1900-1981)also known as Allama Shaykh Abdul Aziz Alai was a well known Muslim scholar, poet, author,Sufi and saint of the Khuiratta valley. he did the most in his lifetime for the education and political awareness of the people of the State of jummu and kashmir. He is the only personality of KHuiratta wadi e banah whose life participation is collected in the form of massive research(theses) in AIOU islamabad (see Allama Shaykh Abdul Aziz Alai>hayat and Fun AIOU Islamabad).

Khuiratta has two Govt. degree colleges for both boys and girls and four private colleges. There are also two high school for both boys and girls and some English medium schools, of which notable are Pasban Science School & College, The Holy Public School & College, Pasban School, Suffa Academy & Science College, National science college, Pakland School, Ideal Public School, Allama Iqbal Public School & College, Unique Reformer Public School and Stars Academy. One of the earliest and only government school is the "Government High School Khuiratta". Army Public School is an addition and contribution of Pak Army in uplifting the standard of education in Khuiratta Azad Kashmir.

Khuiratta is also renowned for pirs and faqirs and the most revered - Mai Toti Sahiba, Baba Ali Lashkar Sahib, Sain Rukan Deen Sahib, Sain Sakhi Sahib, Chamby Wali Darbar (hujra sharif).

Politics

Recently in July 2016 Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League (N) Azad Kashmir,Elected as MLA and Minister Law, Parliamentarian affairs, Justice and Human Rights, Electricity .He was elected MLA in the Azad Kashmir Assembly General Election held in 2006 for five years, Ch. Muhammad Rafiq Nayyer Ex. Minister of Health & Transport & Muhammad Matloob Inkalabi Ex member of Kashmir Council & Elected MLA in 2011 election and Joined AJK Legislative Assembley first time as Minister Higher Education IT/TEVTA AJ&K Govt.

History

Before the independence of Pakistan and India in 1947, it was used as a trade corridor between Rajouri and Mirpur.

References