Mirpur

Mirpur, the largest city of Azad Kashmir and also known for its modern bungalows and buildings, is located at a distance of 218 km from Lahore. It is also known as New Mirpur City. Mirpur is mainly an agricultural city, and is famous for millet, maize, and good quality rice of Khari Sharif. Most of its local people migrated to England, so it is also known as Little England.

Mirpur is located at a distance of 135 km from Islamabad and can be accessed by G. T. Road via Dina. From G. T. Road, turn off at Dina on the fully paved multi-lane road to enter Mirpur city after crossing the Mangla Bridge.

Mirpur is directly connect with Jehlum, Bhimber, and Kotli with roads. All type of road transportation is available in the city. There is no airport in the city, but airports in Islamabad and Sialkot provide the all of air transportation facilities to citizen of Mirpur.

Most of the population of Mirpur has migrated to different areas of the World. First migration was started in 1920, when they left Mirpur to work on merchant ships in Bombay. Then non-muslim population had migrated to Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in 1947. Then in 1960s, many people from Mirpur had migrated to United England due to construction of the Mangla Dam. Then the construction of new city, New Mirpur City, was initiated for the migrants.

The old Mirpur city is under the waters of the Mangla Lake, that was built due to construction of the Mangla Dam. These remains can be seen in months of March and April, when the water level decreases. Shrine of Syed Abdul Karim, shrine of Meeran Shah Ghazi, a Sikh gurdwara, a Hindu temple, old houses, roads become visible.

Mirpur also an industrial city of Azad Kashmir. There are several industries including vegetable oil, marble, wood work, soap, cosmetics, textile, and ready-made garments.

The importance of Mirpur is the Mangla Dam, situated on the Jhelum River, which is the second-largest dam of Pakistan and the seventh-largest dam in the world. It was an ideal place for the dam construction due to its location. It is foothills of the Pir Panjal mountains, from where the plains of Punjab started.

Various water sports activities can be performed in the Mangla Lake under the supervision of Mangla Water Sports Club and Army Water Sports Club. The common water sports facilities are speed boating, pontoon boat, Jet-skiing, and water sports in the bluish waters of the Mangla Lake. Lakeside dining is also available to enjoy the pleasant weather with cool breeze.

The Mangla Dam fulfills the large part of electricity needs of the country. At the same time, it is a good place for one-day trip. With permission, visitors can have an opportunity to observe the working of dam.

Ramkot Fort is an historical 16th century fort in Mirpur. It was constructed by Gakhars in 12th century. It was constructed by the Muslim Rulers on high ridge near Mangla Dam, surrounded by water on its three sides. It is good place for visitors having interest in history. To inspect the historical construction of fort, scenic boat trip across the Mangla Lake can be arranged under the supervision of Mangla Dam Boating Club from the Mangla Dam site. One reaching the island, a short uphill climb is required to get inside the fort to observe the brick bastions and ramparts of the fort.

Khari Sharif is located between Mirpur City and the Jhelum River at a distance of 8 km from main city. It is famous due to the shrine of Pir Shah Ghazi Qalandar Damri Wali Sarkar and Shrine of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh. Main Muhammad Bakhsh was the author of famous story of Saiful Maluk. Due to fertile land around the Jehlum River, the area is also famous for high quality rice.

The climate of Mirpur is very hot and dry during summer season, whereas the winter season is pleasant there. But average rainfall is higher, approximately 54 inches is received annually.

Going to plan a night stay in pleasant atmosphere of Toli Pir Top, read our complete guide about Rawalakot & Toli Pir.