About Azad Jammu & kashmir
The state of Jammu and Kashmir having an area of 84,471 square miles lies in the North East of Pakistan and North West of India. Russia, China and Afghanistan also shares its border towards the North. Area wise, the State of Jammu and Kashmir was the largest state in the sub-continent of Indo-Pak among the 562 princely states of the Sub-continent at the time of its division , and still claims the same status. Its area is almost equal to the total area of Belgium, Denmark, Holland, Austria and Albania, all put together, although it is slightly smaller than Great Britain.
The Muslims of Azad Jammu and Kashmir started a liberation against India in 1947. As a result of this war, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was established on 24th October, 1947, in the liberated area which is about 5,000 square miles out of total area of 84,471 square miles. An area of 28,000 square miles was also liberated by Gilgit Scouts and now it forms Northern Areas (G-B) which is being administered by the Federal Government of Pakistan.
Area
13,297 Sq.Km
Villages
1771
population
4.361 Million
Literacy
74%
Population / Doctor
4916
Population / Hospital
1309
Population Growth
2.41%
Per Capita Income(Per/Anum) US$
1512
Immunization
94%
The Government established on 24th October 1947, was working like a war council. The Rules of Business were framed in order to run the administration of Azad Jammu and Kashmir under which the executive as well as the legislative authority vested in the President. The courts and Laws code was enacted in 1948 for running the judicial administration and some laws of former Jammu and Kashmir State were allowed to continue in operation. Thereafter, in 1952, the Rules of Business were revised. The system of administration as well as the legislation was provided in these Rules of Business. Another revision of the Rules of business took place in 1957.
In the system, which prevailed from 1947 to 1960, the person holding the confidence of the Working Committee of Muslim conference was nominated as the president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. For sometimes in the earlier years, the office of Supreme Head also existed who approved the legislation for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, but this office was abolished in 1952 and, thereafter, only the President was the Executive Head, who was assisted by some ministers.
In 1960, the Presidential Election System through the “votes of basic democrats” was introduced in Azad Jammu and Kashmir with another body known as ‘ Azad Jammu and Kashmir State Council’ which was also elected by the basic democrats. This Council consisted of 12 members elected by the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, whereas 12 members were elected by the refugees of Jammu and Kashmir State settled in Pakistan. In 1964, this system was also replaced and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Government Act, 1964, was enacted, whereby the provision for the State Council was amended to the extent that 8 State counselors were to be elected by the basic democrats of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In 1965, the provision was made for appointment of two members to be nominated by the President from amongst the refugees settled in Pakistan