Chakswari

Chakswari is a Tehsil (town) in the Mirpur District of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan. It is composed of approximately 25 Union councils including the New Town of Islamgarh. Approximately 42 km from Mirpur, it is rapidly becoming an economic hub and commercial area of the district.Society and CultureMain Article Ethnic Groups of Azad KashmirThe majority of the population speak the Mirpuri dialect of Pothwari, the second most spoken language of Kashmir after Kashmiri. A large number of inhabitants emigrated to the United Kingdom between the 1950s and 1980s. The people of this area are agriculturalists belonging to the Balouch Jatt, Rajput & other castes, with strong cultural links to the Pothwar region of Pakistan.GeographyChakswari comprises partly plain and partly hilly areas. Chakswari has pleasant scenery and the climate is generally arid, characterised by hot summers and cool winters. There is little rainfall.Chakswari is divided into two parts, the historic old town where the majority of the wholesale shops, for which the Town is known, are located and the newer part – Chakswari Colony which was built for the families who lost their homes following the construction of Mangla Dam. The town is modern and a shoppers paradise. The current population of Chakswari is around twenty thousand. Chakswari boasts the biggest house-building boom after Mirpur. Chakswari is known for its excellent shopping areas and its large shopping plazas for which most of the wholesale shops are located. There are many stores, plazas, shopping malls & markets in these thoroughfares, selling everything from hand made pottery to international brands.