Rawalakot (Pahari, ) is the capital of the Poonch district in Pakistan–administered Azad Kashmir, in the disputed Kashmir region. It is located in the Pir Panjal Range.
History 1955 Poonch uprising
Along with Pallandri, Rawalakot was the focal point of the 1955 Poonch uprising. It was led by the local Sudhans, who disapproved of Sher Ahmed Khan and wanted Sardar Ibrahim Khan, as well as democratic reforms.
2005 Kashmir earthquake
On Saturday, 8 October 2005, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed 73,338 people and left up to three million homeless in Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir. The city of Rawalakot suffered significant damage from the 2005 earthquake; although most of the buildings were left standing, many of them were rendered uninhabitable, and some of the population was left homeless. Most of the buildings have been reconstructed.
Demographics Population Rawalakot has an urban population of 56,006 people according to the 2017 census, which rose to 56,590 in 2018.
Social groups Gujjar is a major ethnic group in Rawalakot. Other ethnic groups found in the district are Bakarwals, Kashmiris, Sayeds, Rajputs, and Sudhan.
Languages Pahari, Gujari and Hindko are the man spoken languages in Rawalakot city. Some also speak Kashmiri and Punjabi languages. Rawalakoti-Pahari is spoken in Rawalakot city but in the rest of the Poonch district Pahari (Poonchi) is spoken. The Urdu is the official language in the area.
Towns
Androat Khai Gala, Rawalakot Banjosa Lake, Rawalakot Jandali, Rawalakot Dhamni, Rawalakot Hurnamaira, Rawalakot Ali Sojal, Rawalakot Barmang, Rawalakot Chak, Rawalakot Shaheed Gala, Rawalakot Pachiot, Rawalakot Shaheed Gala, Rawalakot Rehra village
Location and transport Location Rawalakot is located at Latitude 33°51'32.18"N, Longitude 73° 45'34.93"E, with an elevation of 5374 feet. Rawalakot is approximately from Kahuta and about from the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It is linked to Rawalpindi and Islamabad via Goyain Nala and Tain, roads as well as Kotli Satiyan and Additionally, it is also linked with Rawalpindi via Sudhnuti.
Transport Travel routes Construction of the Ghazi-e-Millat road (also known as Guoien Nala road) between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan has considerably reduced travel time. It is the main road connecting Islamabad/Rawalpindi to Rawalakot city.
Road links The road passing through Pakgali-Paniola connects Rawalakot to Bagh, Rawalpindi, and Muzaffarabad. The alternative road that passes through Mohri Farman Shah and Shuja Abad is the shortest possible road link connecting Rawalakot city with Bagh. Murree, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi are situated in a southward direction from Rawalakot. The town has another road link with Kotli.
Airport Rawalakot Airport is non-operational and has been closed since October 2005.
Climate Rawalakot features a subtropical highland climate under the Köppen climate classification due to its high altitude. The weather of Rawalakot is quite erratic. However, the climate can be divided into four seasons: namely spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Rawalakot experiences mild to warm temperatures during the spring and autumn, humid temperatures during summer, and cold to snowy during the winter. The temperature can rise as high as during the mid-summer months and drop below during the winter months. Snowfall occurs in December and January, while most rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, stretching from July to September.Pakistan Meteorological Department Kaleem Abbasi, 15 Aug, 2014
Education In 2013, SOS primary School was constructed. Since 2015, the school has been operational, and almost 172 student study at this school.
References
Sources
Notes
External links
Britannica – Azad Kashmir World atlas page about Azad Kashmir status Rawalakot City