Pakhwal

Pakhwal is a village located in northern Jhelum district between Chawk daulat and Kaladev.

History

It was founded in 963. Pakhwal is divided into two parts; the first part, situated near the famous river Jehlum is called officially tawakkul pur pakhwal, the second part is called Pakhwal Khaas situated slightly near to the main road. The location of both villages is near fertile soils due to the availability and easy access of water from the river.

The main two tribes in Pakhwal are Chaudry [Jaat] and Rajgaan; both consider themselves to belong to high castes; although, Islamically, castes are only for recognition and identity not for superiority the most superior and greatest in the sight of Allah azzawajalla is the one who is better in terms of piety and TAQWA. Although there was a lot of competition historically, over generations due to the prevalence of Islamic knowledge and departure of Hindus and Sikhs after the independence, neither of the castes predominately consider themselves better than each other, but this only depends on a person's piety, humbleness and individual respect and esteem in society. However, amongst the elders this notion of caste superiority may still remain and is transferred through generations. Both castes of people are believed to live happily with good understanding although some tension may occur rarely not particularly over socially constructed caste system.

Geographic coordinates

32 56 N, 73 44 E Map reference: Asia Area:

total: 3.97 km² land: 3.5 km² water: 0.47 km² Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Monaco

Land boundaries:

total: 6 km border villages: Bela 2 km, Kiri 1.2 km, Pind Ratwal 2.4 km,Katrili 0.3 km,chitti 0.1 km Coastline: 1.83 km

Climate:

modified continental with mild winters, cool summers

Terrain

Mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slopes.

Elevation extremes:

• lowest point: River jhelum 133 m
• highest point: Peer said balak 259 m

Natural resources: iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land

Land use:

• arable land: 27.42%
• permanent crops: 7.69%
• irrigated land: 14.87%

Natural hazards: flooding, earthquakes, landslides, erosion

Environment - current issues: air and water pollution, soil pollution of farmland

Demographics

Population: 4,086 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

• 0–14 years: 18.6%
• 15–64 years: 66.6%
• 65 years and over: 14.7%
• Median age:
  • total: 24 years
  • male: 23 years
  • female: 25 years (2008 est.)

• Population growth rate: 1.188% (2008 est.)
• Birth rate: 11.77 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
• Death rate: 8.43 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

• Net migration rate: 0.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

• Sex ratio:
  • at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
  • under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
  • 15–64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  • 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
  • total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

• Infant mortality rate:
  • total: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births
  • male: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births
  • female: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

• Life expectancy at birth:
  • total population: 79.18 years
  • male: 75.91 years
  • female: 82.67 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0% (2008 est.)

Nationality: Pakistani – known as Pakhwalies in Pakistan

Ethnic groups: 80% choudharies, 11.9% kashmiries, 4,5% arayans, 2.2 Masalies, 1.4 others

Religions: sunnies 99.3%,Shiaz 0.6%, Others 0.1%

Languages: Punjabi (local language), Urdu (administrative language), English (administrative language)

Literacy:

• total population: 62.2%
• male: 71.2%
• female: 53.2% (2008 est.)

Local holiday: Annual anniversary of peer Said Balak

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Economy

This stable, high-income economy, benefits from its high percentage of persons abroad, so their remittances help boost its economy, also it is famous in surroundings for its manufacturings.

7.17 million (2008 est.) GDP - real growth rate:

3.5% (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP):

$201 (2007 est.) GDP -

• agriculture: 59%
• industry: 28%
• services: 13% (2008 est.)
• Labor force: 1,0