Feroze Jahangir Shah
On Sunday, 21st December 2025, I had the opportunity to visit Muzaffarabad, the capital city of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), along with my family. We departed from Islamabad at 7:00 a.m. and reached Muzaffarabad at around 10:00 a.m., completing the journey in approximately three hours. The drive itself was a memorable experience, offering scenic views of hills, rivers and valleys that gradually unfold as one approaches Kashmir. vThe road from Islamabad to Murree was in excellent condition, smooth and well maintained. However, a serious concern was observed on a roughly 10-kilometre stretch between Murree and Kohala, where no proper safety fencing was in place. Given the steep terrain and sharp curves, this section poses a significant risk to travelers and urgently requires the attention of the relevant authorities to ensure public safety. During our stay, we were accommodated at an Army Mess in Muzaffarabad. The facility was exceptionally neat, clean and well organized, reflecting high standards of discipline and hospitality. For breakfast, we visited Ghareeb Nawaz Restaurant, where we enjoyed traditional Kashmiri Bakar Khani accompanied by authentic Kashmiri tea. The taste, aroma and cultural richness of the cuisine added a special charm to our visit and provided a genuine local experience.
Muzaffarabad, undoubtedly, is blessed with immense natural beauty. Surrounded by lush green mountains and rivers, the city holds great potential as a premier tourist destination. The serenity of the landscape, the crisp winter air and the warmth of the local culture make it a place worth revisiting. I also visited my friend, who is serving as Chief Engineer at the Pearl Continental Hotel Muzaffarabad. The hotel was impressive in every respect—beautifully maintained and offering excellent services to its guests, setting a benchmark for hospitality in the region.
However, despite these positives, I felt deeply disappointed by the overall cleanliness of the city. Waste management appeared to be largely absent, with garbage visible in several areas. For a capital city with such strategic and touristic importance, this is a serious issue. An effective waste management system needs to be implemented on an urgent basis to preserve the city’s beauty and to ensure a healthy environment for residents and visitors alike.
Another disturbing observation was the large number of vehicles with green number plates—indicating Government of AJK ownership—plying on the roads on a Sunday, which is a public holiday. This raises questions about the misuse of government resources. Strict monitoring and accountability mechanisms should be enforced to prevent such practices.
Muzaffarabad is a jewel of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. With improved civic management, better enforcement of regulations and a focus on cleanliness and safety, the city can truly shine as a model capital and a proud symbol of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
—The writer is
Hospitality & Engineering
Consultant.
