What do you mean Gujjars are not? They're not what? Punjabi?
No offence, but if that's what you mean, then you have no idea what you're talking about. Gujjars are probably the largest caste, by number, in West Punjab.
-
Contact the PP Team
How the Pakistani city of Mirpur became 'Little England'
- Thread starter Namak_Halaal
- Start date
What do you mean Gujjars are not? They're not what? Punjabi?
No offence, but if that's what you mean, then you have no idea what you're talking about. Gujjars are probably the largest caste, by number, in West Punjab.
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
My point was Gujars are found in Potohar not usually in central Punjab in either India or Pakistan as Jatts are.
Jatts are the largest tribe in east and west Punjab.
gujjars are present all over punjab
Jatts are probably larger in Indian Punjab but I'm almost certain that in West Punjab Gujjars would be the largest tribe. I know of plenty of Gujjars from Faisalabad, Sialkot, Lahore etc.
Our family is from Jhelum with links to Sargodha and Sialkot too. According to reports Gujjars make up as much as 20% of Pakistan's entire population. That's about 35 million. Now considering that there will be very few Gujjars in Karachi, Balochistan, NWFP, and that Mirpur has a relatively small overall population too, this means that the vast majority of Gujjars are ethnically Punjabi.
The majority of Pakistani Jatts that I know are from Mirpur/AK. Many of the Rajputs I know live in Punjab but speak a Potohari dialect. They are settled in places such as Gujjar Khan, Rawalpindi and Jhelum. Our family on the other hand speaks Punjabi, which you'll hear in Sialkot or Lahore but with little Potohari type words here and there.
don't blame you
i can't stand them eitther
that film is about 30 years old
i think we are fortunate, from attockabad to amritsar - no problem understanding or communication with anybody in between
i presume they have some common origin
akheR
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Runs
- 8,225
- Post of the Week
- 1
But isn't Pahari the same dialect as Potohari ? Or the differences are subtle (like Pahari having more Sanskrit influences, whereas Potohari Persian-Arabic ; a bit like the Urdu and Hindi debate) ?
And from what I've heard Hindko is closer to the 'regular' Punjabi than to Potohari.
Shoaib Akhtar's a Gujjar.
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
But isn't Pahari the same dialect as Potohari ? Or the differences are subtle (like Pahari having more Sanskrit influences, whereas Potohari Persian-Arabic ; a bit like the Urdu and Hindi debate) ?
And from what I've heard Hindko is closer to the 'regular' Punjabi than to Potohari.
Shoaib Akhtar's a Gujjar.
Its in the accents also I read a few chapters of Shoaib Akhtars book and he was speaking and talking about himself being Punjabi no mention of Potohar or Potohari.
DW44
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Runs
- 7,314
But isn't Pahari the same dialect as Potohari ? Or the differences are subtle (like Pahari having more Sanskrit influences, whereas Potohari Persian-Arabic ; a bit like the Urdu and Hindi debate) ?
And from what I've heard Hindko is closer to the 'regular' Punjabi than to Potohari.
Shoaib Akhtar's a Gujjar.
You get to hear a lot of it in Peshawar and it sounds almost exactly like the variety of Punjabi most commonly heard in Rawalpindi/Islamabad (I'm from Peshawar, been moving back and forth between Islamabad and Pindi for the last 16 years).
all pottohari origin people i know certainly in the uk would describe themselves as punjabi
Shoaib is a Punjabi Gujjar. Just like Mohammad Asif and Aamir too I believe.
wheher is pahari spoken - mirpur?
to be honest other than minor nuances i can't differentiate somebody from say gujar kahn and somebody from mirpur until i hear the litle nuances, 95% alike as far as as i can make out
Geordie Ahmed
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2004
- Runs
- 59,849
A good question
I know of people that have awesome houses back in Pakistan (Mirpur) BUT here in the UK they live like tramps, bizarre way of doing things imo
tahir_dj
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2009
- Runs
- 2,429
i am from there too.. but i am proud Pakistani...and mostly people who are originally from Azad kashmir they love Pakistan to bits and call themselvs Pakistani. and the one you people are refferring to are mostly those who migrated from Jamu Kashmir.cast(BUTTS).. and they mostly call themselevs kashmiri...
Geordie Ahmed
Hall of Famer
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2004
- Runs
- 59,849
Interesting posts about language, what language would you guys call in the following clip?
[UTUBE]G8Qx709_L7k[/UTUBE]
[UTUBE]G8Qx709_L7k[/UTUBE]
pottohaari geordie = sounds just like mirpuri don't you think?
maaray, taaray, kuth-hay, guzaari chornay-aan, kin-sain, jull oi, etc etc
Last edited:
these jaakats up north need to to concentrate their efforts on english - it bees attrocious
Mani where abouts do you/your family originate from if you don't mind me asking, and what kaum/caste are you, again if you don't mind me asking?
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
Some place called chak in ajk and mums side are called qureshi dads side bogyaal or mangyaal.
But got places all over Mirpur F1 Chittaparri and family in jhelum Gujarkhan too.
Last edited:
akheR
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Runs
- 8,225
- Post of the Week
- 1
You know why ? Because Potohari is not an ethnico-linguistic identity, but just a dialect of Punjabi... that's exactly what I'm saying since the beginning of this thread.
From a Potohari point of view, I'll say that Hindko is closer to Punjabi than Potohari is (what makes the difference is the accent), but, anyway, not like if there was some world between Potohari and Punjabi, it's just about replacing the 'tvada' by 'tussana' (your), etc
And you're ethnically a Pukhtoon, right ? Heard that Hindkowans/Hindko-speakers are in fact called such because they're from "Hindu converts", seen with a bit of contempt by the local Pashtuns.
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
I meant Hindko and Mahji.
Potohari or Mirpuri Drama
ZARCHSHMA.....,Directed By Arshad Rachyal part 1 to 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhV3Q5Jipbg
ZARCHSHMA.....,Directed By Arshad Rachyal part 1 to 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhV3Q5Jipbg
Eagle_Eye
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Runs
- 9,954
Just to further akher's point about potohari being dialect of punjabi...
Who is the most influential punjabi poet of the last 150 years?
His work has been sung by nearly all famous punjabi singers like Alam Lohar, arif lobar, shaukat Ali, Abida parvenu, Akram rahi....even the Indian punjabis like hans raj hans and Gurdas Maan...
Who is the most influential punjabi poet of the last 150 years?
His work has been sung by nearly all famous punjabi singers like Alam Lohar, arif lobar, shaukat Ali, Abida parvenu, Akram rahi....even the Indian punjabis like hans raj hans and Gurdas Maan...
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
Do you know were this is filmed.
akheR
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Runs
- 8,225
- Post of the Week
- 1
Bewal Express
Test Star
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2005
- Runs
- 36,973
The video was brilliant. It reminds of the guys in the our village.
Eagle_Eye
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Runs
- 9,954
Mian Muhammad Baksh ?
Only poet from Potohar plateau I know.
Indeed .....
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
Mian Muhammad Baksh ?
Only poet from Potohar plateau I know.
Khari Sharif Mirpur
deviously~fading~away
First Class Captain
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- Runs
- 5,759
Completely agree with you. I am yet to meet a person from Mirpur who hates Pakistan. Just media being media.iam from mirpur and in my 24 yrs of life i havent met 1 mirpuri or who hates pakistan ...and ppl who hate us ...just come to mirpur and see the hospitality of tha place towards u ...we have shias sunnis patans mujahars punjabis all living in peace in one small town unlike most of pakistan ..and we love pakistan
Bewal Express
Test Star
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2005
- Runs
- 36,973
There is actually very little difference between Pothwari and Mirpuri. Coming from across the river but having relatives in mirpur i find only minute differences between the 2. They are essentially the same dialect.I find that i understand punjabi(One spoken in lahore etc) but they find my pothwari difficult to understand.
akheR
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Runs
- 8,225
- Post of the Week
- 1
So, what's your point then ?
Yes, every-time we visit Pakistan we have to go there : my father's paternal uncle was some kind of Sufi master/teacher affiliated with Mian Muhammad Baksh's tariqah, or something like that, so we have to pay a 'tribute'...
(please don't quote me saying we do shirk & **** like that)
By the way, houses like in the OP are really common in all Azad Kashmir : these are (bad quality) pictures of our village, and nearly all houses are like that...
mirpuris campaigned in the uk to have kashmiri listed as as an ethnic origin seperate from pakistani on the 2011 census forms
http://tinyurl.com/7kf2j3x
http://www.causes.com/causes/588837-british-census-2011-be-counted-be-kashmiri
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2008-09/312
Last edited:
I am not sure but i think scenery gives clue that it's in Azad Kashmir
Eagle_Eye
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Runs
- 9,954
why would punjabi singers sing his work as appose to hindko or other languages....
Alam and arif lohar actually hail from village just across the AK boundary from the southern most district.
On another point... Typing on iPad is a nightmare.. I am out!
Alam and arif lohar actually hail from village just across the AK boundary from the southern most district.
On another point... Typing on iPad is a nightmare.. I am out!
So, what's your point then ?
Yes, every-time we visit Pakistan we have to go there : my father's paternal uncle was some kind of Sufi master/teacher affiliated with Mian Muhammad Baksh's tariqah, or something like that, so we have to pay a 'tribute'...
(please don't quote me saying we do shirk & **** like that)
By the way, houses like in the OP are really common in all Azad Kashmir : these are (bad quality) pictures of our village, and nearly all houses are like that...
Which video? My video or the one qadoos posted?
pakistanalltheway
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2010
- Runs
- 6,240
What village are you from ? If you don't mind me asking .So, what's your point then ?
Yes, every-time we visit Pakistan we have to go there : my father's paternal uncle was some kind of Sufi master/teacher affiliated with Mian Muhammad Baksh's tariqah, or something like that, so we have to pay a 'tribute'...
(please don't quote me saying we do shirk & **** like that)
By the way, houses like in the OP are really common in all Azad Kashmir : these are (bad quality) pictures of our village, and nearly all houses are like that...
lala musa is where the great alam lohar was from
khariaan lala musa neighbouring towns
alam lohar even songs about lal musa in one of his mahiye
lalay musay deeaan do lainaan
jaduun tenuun yaad karaan
uthay bay kay roh lainaaan
Last edited:
DW44
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
- Runs
- 7,314
3/4 Pakhtoon(3 out of 4 grandparents). From what I know, they are not particularly popular in Peshawar because their language sounds like Punjabi(they're called Punjabiyaan by Pushto speaking Peshawaris) and Punjabis aren't too well liked in Peshawar. Previously, it was also because they were dominant in most white collar fields in Peshawar(banking, medicine, education etc.) but that is no longer the case and Pakhtuns have a firm grip on those fields now. Also, due to the intermarriage between different ethnic groups there (I have cousins who are Awans thru their dad's side of the family). Having said that, ethnic violence is an almost alien phenomenon in Peshawar, it is usually restricted to friendly rivalries a'la Aus/NZ, the 100'000 or so Punjabis in Peshawar usually being the butt of most jokes.
Just been told by Mr Arshad Rachyal who directed this video
Location was NARR District Kotli
KingKhanWC
Test Captain
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2010
- Runs
- 48,642
Have a few friends from Mirpur. It's a nice place to visit, about an hour drive from me.
They sure know how to party in Mirpur.
They sure know how to party in Mirpur.
akheR
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Runs
- 8,225
- Post of the Week
- 1
Village called Darhal Gaggan, in the Bhimber district. My aunt lives in Jandala, Samahni valley, also in Bhimber district but it's more known, as it has some results on Google Images
If you Google it, doubt that you'll fid a lot, apart perhaps a Youtube video about some family friend who died some months ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_5Iw3e1670
I of course expect the friendly banter, and not some kind of 'hate'.
Interesting to know though, and Hindkowans, in terms of tribal affiliations, are generally Khatris (trading caste which obviously was in Peshawar for commercial reasons, like the Kapoors of Bollywood), Awans and then Jatts as far as I know.
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
Do you no if that mithu character or that thakkar are potohari. Mithus Potohari accent is quite good a lot better than the others.
no idea, but they managed to get kashmiri as a seperate identity from pakistani on the 2011 census
TAK i remember you made negative comments about Kashmiri's and mirpuri's we had little argument about it few years ago why don't you look for positive in people,Kashmiri's have sacrificed a lot like hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes and families due to Mangla Dam etc,we are all Pakistanis,we should be making efforts to unite people.
Eagle_Eye
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Runs
- 9,954
Village called Darhal Gaggan, in the Bhimber district. My aunt lives in Jandala, Samahni valley, also in Bhimber district but it's more known, as it has some results on Google Images
If you Google it, doubt that you'll fid a lot, apart perhaps a Youtube video about some family friend who died some months ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_5Iw3e1670
I of course expect the friendly banter, and not some kind of 'hate'.
Interesting to know though, and Hindkowans, in terms of tribal affiliations, are generally Khatris (trading caste which obviously was in Peshawar for commercial reasons, like the Kapoors of Bollywood), Awans and then Jatts as far as I know.
Ooh Ilyas Kashmiri's village
Ooh Ilyas Kashmiri's village
ilyas kashmiri is a legend and true patriot
he was the one who went over into occupied kashmir border and killed bhangees and bought their heads back and paraded them in kotli with their tongues sticking out
indians would send troops on special springs , jumping boots over the loc where they beheaded villages in azad kashmir in kotli sector they kidnapped local girls and took them over the border raped them in front of pakistani troops on other side and threw their bodies in the river
musharraf then sent ex ssg ilyas kashmiri over the loc to kick some **** and kick **** he did.
one of the few things musharraf did right.
ilyas kashmiri was possibly killed in drone attack in waziristan?
u see pakistan goverment can call him a terrorist but in azad kashmir and his village he is a hero
Last edited:
i was responding to somebody suggesting that the mirpuri disassosciation from pakistan was the media being the media, it isn't
people of mirpuri origin succeeded in a campaign not to be classified as pakistani in the last uk census but as kashmiri
whether or not they are kashmiri is debateable and the consensus from this thread is that they are not
if we are all pakistani then why are an increasing segment of the uk mirpuri population choosing to disassosciate themselves from pakistan?
can that be described as making an effort to unite people ?
the uk census camapaign is not an isolated case , i know here in leeds there is a group that has previoulsy made various council departments include kasmiri as an ethnic origin choice on official documenatation and even translate documents into pahari
i'm sorry but i see nothing positive in that, it is not uniting people that is creating disunity in the pakistani diaspora
pakistan uber alles
Last edited:
Gabbar Singh
Test Debutant
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2007
- Runs
- 15,550
I do not know where your family origins are from but Mirpuris get a pretty bad rap in pakistan too, many of my relatives stopped and searched at checkpoints in pakistan due to having a an Azad Kashmir plate.
In England many pakistani look down on mirpuris as if they are scum etc so tell me why should people who originate from mirpur not be classed as differently as the pakistanis sure as hell do not want to be associated with them.
Also all this talk of who is and isn't kashmiri based on colour/language etc is not applicable unless kashmiri is a race that is something I was not aware of!
Nations have many languages/people so why can't potwari be one of the them?
mani1
Local Club Captain
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2005
- Runs
- 2,308
So Mirpur is the Sylhet of Pakistan?
Has Sylhet got one of the lowest crime rates in the country or one of the highest literacy rates in the country despite not having barely any educational facilities if so then yes.
If your refering to England take a look at post number 75
Last edited:
UmarAkmals-fan
First Class Star
- Joined
- May 26, 2010
- Runs
- 3,859
arshad rachyal my close relative ..his house and mine r on the same street in pak
+ 1
should we assume you are one who disascociates themselves from pakistan?
with regard to the issue of who is or who isn't kashmiri there are some very informative posts in this thread discussing that, not sure what relevance colour has to do with it, thats a bit of a red herring surley
the question is more of culture with the suggestion that the culture, e.g. language, cusine, dress, lifestyle etc. of mirpur is more akin to rawalpindi than srinagar i.e. is pottohari as opposed to kashmiri
i may be wrong here but i think the protagonists of this view are from azad kashmir themeselves
Last edited:
i think the saddest part is that the people who have not been fortunate enought to escape the poverty of rural pakistan continue to live in the simple houses cheek by jowl with these extravagant empty homes of the nouveau riche
truly bizzare
ace4rmspace
First Class Player
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Runs
- 3,032
Completely ignoring all the usual nonsensical and quite frankly pathetic and irrelevant drivel about how Mirpuri's are scum wherever they are in the world, are illiterate, ignorant, filthy and should be kept on a leash if not muzzled at all times in public and the argument of who is classified as Kashmiri and who is not depending on the pungency of the odour expelled from their behinds, I would like to say that it is nice to see my home town being depicted in a positive light on a renowned international forum like the BBC.
There is another reason why I feel so strongly about this, other than it being about Mirpur, is the fact that Rafay is a very dear friend of mine and, as mentioned in the article, his fathers story is typical of how his generation came to be where they are now and how Rafays generation is taking it to the next level. I agree that there are a lot of bad eggs, as is always the case but I don't think that is relevant to the topic THAT WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING here.
Using Rafay as an example, the lad is what, 24 -25 and he is one of the sharpest, most motivated and intelligent young entrepreneurs I have come across (agreed the sample pool maybe be somewhat limited but that still does not impact upon the accuracy of my statement). Always looking for new and unique ways to improve upon processes, production, quality and service, the boy is always on the ball. A few months ago, while I was down there, we were discussing business and the local market, how it was faring and what he was doing to improve it considering his businesses play a significant role in the local economy. The discussion became heated and I challenged him on what he was doing for the environment, I think I hit a nerve! He leapt up from his desk and started rolling off how he has changed processes to minimise waste, how he has challenged the local municipal authorities to improve their waste collection systems, how he has petitioned to the local DC to stop dumping waste on the outskirts of town, how he has spearheaded the formation of a Young Entrepreneurs Division within the local Chamber of Commerce and how the first topic of their first ever meeting was The Environment and the impact their businesses were having on it and how improving that could positively effect tourism! He didn't say it in a manner to brag, but with a degree of annoyance that I would even think like that (despite being loaded to the teeth, he happens to be the most down to earth person you would ever meet) . Sort of shut me up really. So now I am working with him on trying to implement a waste management project and generate energy from it.
Doesn't really fit the stereotype of a Mirpuri now does it? To those of you in the UK, next time you munch on a Rusk Cake or nibble on some Bombay Mix, have a look at the packet. It might just have been made by KCB ... founded by Mr Saleem, Rafays father.
Oh by the way, if you hadn't already guessed, I am a Mirpuri and proud of it for more reasons than I care to mention. And yes, when asked where I am from I say I am from Kashmir. And no, it's not because I hate Pakistan, it's because I find it an excellent way to start an interesting conversation. Not everything is as black and white as you might think, but then again, it all depends on the degree of complexity the processing unit can handle I guess.
There is another reason why I feel so strongly about this, other than it being about Mirpur, is the fact that Rafay is a very dear friend of mine and, as mentioned in the article, his fathers story is typical of how his generation came to be where they are now and how Rafays generation is taking it to the next level. I agree that there are a lot of bad eggs, as is always the case but I don't think that is relevant to the topic THAT WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING here.
Using Rafay as an example, the lad is what, 24 -25 and he is one of the sharpest, most motivated and intelligent young entrepreneurs I have come across (agreed the sample pool maybe be somewhat limited but that still does not impact upon the accuracy of my statement). Always looking for new and unique ways to improve upon processes, production, quality and service, the boy is always on the ball. A few months ago, while I was down there, we were discussing business and the local market, how it was faring and what he was doing to improve it considering his businesses play a significant role in the local economy. The discussion became heated and I challenged him on what he was doing for the environment, I think I hit a nerve! He leapt up from his desk and started rolling off how he has changed processes to minimise waste, how he has challenged the local municipal authorities to improve their waste collection systems, how he has petitioned to the local DC to stop dumping waste on the outskirts of town, how he has spearheaded the formation of a Young Entrepreneurs Division within the local Chamber of Commerce and how the first topic of their first ever meeting was The Environment and the impact their businesses were having on it and how improving that could positively effect tourism! He didn't say it in a manner to brag, but with a degree of annoyance that I would even think like that (despite being loaded to the teeth, he happens to be the most down to earth person you would ever meet) . Sort of shut me up really. So now I am working with him on trying to implement a waste management project and generate energy from it.
Doesn't really fit the stereotype of a Mirpuri now does it? To those of you in the UK, next time you munch on a Rusk Cake or nibble on some Bombay Mix, have a look at the packet. It might just have been made by KCB ... founded by Mr Saleem, Rafays father.
Oh by the way, if you hadn't already guessed, I am a Mirpuri and proud of it for more reasons than I care to mention. And yes, when asked where I am from I say I am from Kashmir. And no, it's not because I hate Pakistan, it's because I find it an excellent way to start an interesting conversation. Not everything is as black and white as you might think, but then again, it all depends on the degree of complexity the processing unit can handle I guess.
Namak_Halaal
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2011
- Runs
- 9,486
- Post of the Week
- 1
I've read a lot of drivel in my time but man this takes the cake.
So, what if you do not want to start an interesting conversation? Where are you from then?
I know plenty of ways to start an interesting conversation, denial is not one of them.
ace4rmspace
First Class Player
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Runs
- 3,032
Of all people NH ...
I can't bothered with this right now, maybe some other time, so you go ahead and think what you want.
Denial? Denial of what? Of being a Pakistani? Why on earth would anyone want to hide the fact that they are Pakistani eh? Azad Kashmir wouldn't exist without without Pakistan and thats a fact, just like Punjab or Sindh or the rest of them.
Namak_Halaal
ODI Debutant
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2011
- Runs
- 9,486
- Post of the Week
- 1
I was thinking the same, but some of the comments in this thread (Mirpuris wanting to disassociate themselves from Pakistan as an example) and of course anecdotal evidence, suggests otherwise.
I work with a colleague who calls himself Kashmiri (not Pakistani), he’s very adamant about it. He is of course from Mirpur. Funny thing is when the cricket is on he's Pakistani. I told him he suffers from an identity crisis, blates.
Based on my experience you are perhaps the first Mirpuri who doesn't deny he's Pakistani. Dare I say proud Pakistani?
Anyway, what do you have to say about Mirpuris who wish to disassociate themselves from Pakistan? Are they wrong in doing so? If not, why not?
akheR
T20I Debutant
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Runs
- 8,225
- Post of the Week
- 1
Yes, I am, and my family on both paternal and maternal sides served in the Army, I'm nearly sure that these 'we're-not-Pakistanis' Mirpuri bunch all have some relatives who did the same job, and it's pretty disgraceful to see them separate their identity from the motherland.
glory hunter
there are many, even on this thread
@akheR
@tahir_dj
Last edited:
My roots are from Azad Kashmir but also Pakistan - I see no reason why it cannot be both?
I am immensely proud of my close family and their achievements. We all hail from a village in Azad Kashmir near to Bhimber, Mirpur and Jehlum yet my family have not only served the Pakistan army but also served as civil servants for Pakistan at possibly the highest level. We all have no issues being Pakistani but have a bias towards Azad Kashmir as it is our roots and due to the retail sector, low crime rate, high education rates etc.
It is really nice to see that there are many people on PakPassion from surrounding regions. I also suspect that many non Azad Kashmiri's assume that Mirpur is all there is and everybody is the same. This is not the case and Azad Kasmir is a huge place, which extends from Ali Baig and Bhimber and way past Muzzafarabad. Within this huge area, people hail from Dadyal, Kotli, Sensah an they all class themselves as Mirpuris. All these people have unique traits and some have a more pahari dialect than others. I would liken my village culture and language as not only similar to Mirpur but also similar to Jehlum in Punjab. My wife's family hails from Jehlum and our dialect and culture is virtually the same yet some families from Sensah are very different in dialect, mindset and culture.
There are thousands of Pakistanis from Azad Kashmir in the UK and all are from different regions and all has their pros and cons. Some communities may focus strongly on education whereas some may still be developing.
One thing I am confident to say is that you will struggle to find the hospitality of an Azad Kashmir family anywhere in Pakistan. Most of my close friends are Lahoris and Sindhis and we simply are the best in that regard. We have our idiots but many people outside of the potohar region think that all the rude boy Gujar Khan, Kalar Syedan and Jehlum boys are also Mirpuri so go figure? Far too much generalising and ostracising at times for the Azad Kashmir community.
I am immensely proud of my close family and their achievements. We all hail from a village in Azad Kashmir near to Bhimber, Mirpur and Jehlum yet my family have not only served the Pakistan army but also served as civil servants for Pakistan at possibly the highest level. We all have no issues being Pakistani but have a bias towards Azad Kashmir as it is our roots and due to the retail sector, low crime rate, high education rates etc.
It is really nice to see that there are many people on PakPassion from surrounding regions. I also suspect that many non Azad Kashmiri's assume that Mirpur is all there is and everybody is the same. This is not the case and Azad Kasmir is a huge place, which extends from Ali Baig and Bhimber and way past Muzzafarabad. Within this huge area, people hail from Dadyal, Kotli, Sensah an they all class themselves as Mirpuris. All these people have unique traits and some have a more pahari dialect than others. I would liken my village culture and language as not only similar to Mirpur but also similar to Jehlum in Punjab. My wife's family hails from Jehlum and our dialect and culture is virtually the same yet some families from Sensah are very different in dialect, mindset and culture.
There are thousands of Pakistanis from Azad Kashmir in the UK and all are from different regions and all has their pros and cons. Some communities may focus strongly on education whereas some may still be developing.
One thing I am confident to say is that you will struggle to find the hospitality of an Azad Kashmir family anywhere in Pakistan. Most of my close friends are Lahoris and Sindhis and we simply are the best in that regard. We have our idiots but many people outside of the potohar region think that all the rude boy Gujar Khan, Kalar Syedan and Jehlum boys are also Mirpuri so go figure? Far too much generalising and ostracising at times for the Azad Kashmir community.
Last edited:
