Khuiratta
| Khui ratta,or Khoi ratta Azad Kashmir | |
|---|---|
  Khui ratta,or Khoi ratta Azad Kashmir | |
| Coordinates: 33°21′36″N 74°01′37″E / 33.360°N 74.027°E | |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Province | Azad Kashmir |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+5) |
Khuiratta or Khoi Ratta, also known as Wadi e Bnah, is a city of Kotli District, Azad Kashmir. In 2010 it became the headquarters of the district subdivision.
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 after Kotli City and has an elevation of 2570 meters 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 "Hazrat 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 (festival). Thousands of people from the Kotli and other adjoining districts attend the festival in spring to watch sports, animal parades and horticultural displays. For many years this mela was being held in Diyari Na Bagh. Lately it has been moved to Sihoor Beelaa as it caused much disturbance to the local residents. This mela lasts for three days; activities include bull racing, wrestling, football and other form of traditional entertainment.
The nearby Banah is a beautiful area, full of natural springs and waterfalls. Several springs emerge from the mountains at Bahees Naraha(Bahee Narrah mean 22 natural water springs)In ancient times this was an important Hindu place of worship. Close to Khui Ratta are the Bagh Fatehpur Dehadi 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 Hazrat Mian Imam Baksh of Hozra near Tokahn. There is also a shrine of Pir Haider Shah of Dehari Bagh and Shaykh 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 Pakistani held Kashmir. It has some notable small towns and villages namely, Birmingham,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, Gheyaien, Serri, Manjwar, Broat Gala, Anderla Kotehra, Phalni, Bandli, Karjai, tSaidpur, Darkala, Bain Thalla, Dehari Baagh, Bindian, Bhiyal, Dheri Sahibzadian, Manjwaal, Khajorla, Thill, Hill Mughalan, Banni Bannah, Sehore, Phehan and Damandah.
Khui Ratta is connected with Kotli via a 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 one of the Non Governmental Organization has established an international level community health center (RAHMA Basic Health Center), 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.
Khoi Ratta 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 Gujjar, Rajput, Jaat, Khokhar, Malik and Mughal tribes form the majority. List of registered voters 89000 at estimation of 2004 of this constituency i.e., 22000 Gujjars, 18000 Rajput, 16000 Jatt, 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(Ra)}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, 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".
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.