Demographics of Azad Kashmir

The population of Azad Kashmir is composed of many communities and tribes. According to the last census conducted in Pakistan in 1998, the total population of Azad Kashmir was 2,973,000 and 3,271,000 according to a 2002 estimate.[1]

Population

The last census in Azad Kashmir was conducted in 1998 along with the National census of Pakistan, according to which the population of the territory was 2,973,000 with a population density of about 246 persons per square kilometer. Majority of the people in the region live in rural areas, while about 12.5 percent live in urban areas.[1]

Human development statistics

Literacy

About 90 percent children of Azad Kashmir get enrolled in the schools at primary level.[1]

Other statistics

The population of Azad Kashmir consists largely of Muslims as the indigenous non Muslims were driven out following the partition. The people of this region culturally differ from the Kashmiris living in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, and are closer to the culture of Jammu. Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber are all old towns of the Jammu region, which were invaded by Pakistan during the Indian invasion of the independent state of Jammu and Kashmir in October 1947, when the region was part of neither Pakistan nor India.[1]

Ethnic groups

No census has been carried out to ascertain the ethnicity of the people of Azad Kashmir. However estimates suggest that Gujjars, Sudhans, Rajputs and Jats are the major ethnic groups living in the region. Gujjars who are about eight hundred thousand in number are the largest group among them. Rajputs who are spread across the region and Sudhans mostly settled in Bagh District and Rawalakot are regarded as the influential ethnic groups in Azad Kashmir.[1] Sayyeds and Mughals like Douli Sardars, Maldyal, Hoteel, and Chughtai clanes also found among the Pahari/Pothwari speaking population. Qurashi and Hashmi's are also situated in Major areas of Bagh and Muzafarabad. People of ethnic Kashmiri origin are a small population and include Dar, Lone, Mir, banday, etc. [2]

Diaspora

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Human Rights Watch (September 2006). "With Friends Like These..." (Report). 18. Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  2. ↑ The Role of Biradaris pages 128 to 133 in The untold story of the people of Azad Kashmir by Christopher Snedden London : C. Hurst & Co., 2011

External links

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