Khari Sharif

Khari Sharif (كهڑي شريف) is an agricultural area in Mirpur District of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Broadly speaking, Alaqa-e-Khari (translation in English: Area of Khari) refers to the fertile plains of Khari which exist between the hills of mirpur and the river Jhelum.Khari has some 80 small and large villages and one of the villages itself is known as Khari Sharif. It is located at a distance of 8 km from the city of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir and is known for housing the Shrines of Sufi Saints known as Peer-e-Shah Ghazi (Qalandar Damriyan Wali Sarkar) and Mian Mohammad Bakshwww.kharishareef.com. The place acts as a great seat of learning for students of Islam. Dervishes (disciples) of the Saint can be seen today wandering not just in Pakistani Kashmir but throughout Pakistan.

Demography

According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the population was 9,632.

History

Historically, Khari was ruled by Sohlan Rajput families. The two famous political name of preparation history were Jagirdar Raja Alla Dad Khan of Lehri and Zaildar Raja Sajjawal Khan of Mehmunpur. These two people were renowned for their strong family backgrounds and for their strong connections with Maharaja.

Khari Sharif is the Shrine of the [[Mian Mohammad Bakhsh]www.kharishareef.com] who wrote the famous tale Saiful Malook. This tells of a Prince who fell in love with a fairy called Badi-U-Jamal who he saw in a dream. The story chronicles his travels in search of the fairy and the spiritual lessons he learns on the way. Saiful Maluk is read throughout Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan, and even has its own council. This council is headed by Choudhry Karamat Khari, from the village of Pindi Subherwal which is about a kilometer from the famous shrines.

Politics

Khari has the distinction of being the home of Mirpur's first prime minister Barrister Sultan Mehmud Choudhary. Other prominent politicians of Khari are ex-MLA Khadam Hussain(Late) of Chechian ex-MLA, Deputy speaker of AJK assembly Choudhary Mohammad Azam of Pothi.(Chairman)Raja Altaf Hussain of Pakhral (Khari Sharif) and the ex-MLA and minister AJK Govt.Choudhry Rukhsar of Chabrian Gujjran and present MLA and Minister Choudhry Arshad Mehmood. Also Choudry Abdul Rashid Prime Ministers Advisor, Late choudhary Feroz Khan of Banni,Barrister Mahmood Khan of Banni Principal of Nationwide Law Associates and Chairperson of HA&FK Memorial Trust. Choudhary Mohammed Abdul Rashid (M.A.Rashid)late of Khar-Ratali was one of the first Muslim Civil Servant after the partation in 1947.

Education

Khari has a number of primary,secondary and intermediate level institutions for both boys and girls. There is a college of education for the training of teachers. Famous educationist of Azad kashmir Dr Mohammad Sharif Chattar belonged to one of its villages Pindi Subherwal.

Armed Forces

Khari has a long tradition of serving the Army. Lieutenant General Raja Saroop Khan of Chechian (ex Governor of Punjab) and Lieutenant General Agha Umar Farooq also belong to Khari.

External links

List of cultural heritage sites in Azad Kashmir

Forts	Ramkot Fort Red Fort Sharda Fort Bagh Fort Baral Fort Baghsar Fort Mangla Fort Throchi Fort Bhrund Fort Burjun Fort Chak Fort Barnad Fort Aion Fort

Tourist spots	Pir Chinasi Quaid-e-Azam tourist lodge, Barsala Rani Bowli in Sudhanoti Darbar Sain Saheli Sarkar Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed Darbar Mai Toti Sahiba Fountains and gardens at Khoiratta Ranbir Singh Baradari Darbaar Haji Pir

Other sites	Kohala Bridge Mangla Dam Khari Sharif Buddhist University Mughal Mosque Sarae Saadabad Ali Baig Gurdwara

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