Khoi Ratta
Khui Ratta is a town in Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
Location
Khuiratta lies 29 km southeast of Kotli and 165 km from Islamabad, to the east. Khuiratta is approximately 7 kilometres from the Line Of Control (LOC). It is the second largest town after Kotli City and has an elevation of 2570 meters above sea-level. Khuiratta is situated on the western side of Rajouri (IHK), with Tehsile Charhoi to the west, Rajouri to the east, Noshehra (IHK) to the south, Tehsile Nakyal to the north east and Kotli to the north west.
Its population is over 100,000 which is mostly educated. The Gujjar, Rajput, Jaat, Malik and Mughal tribes form the majority. List of registered voters 89000 at estimation of 2004 of this constituency i.e., 22000 Gujjars, 18000 Rajput, 16000 Jatt, 13000, 317000 other tribes, Khuiratta is in the Azad Kashmir Assembly constituency, LA 12 Kotli 5. Name of constituency main areas are following Patwar Circles of Kotli Tehsil/ Tehsil Khuiratta: 1. Khor, 2.Sarhotta, 3.Dheri Sahibzadian, 4.Seri Manjwar, 5.Khui-Ratta, 6.Bihal, 7.Dhanna, 8.Andarla Koterra, 9.Samlar, 10.Manjwal, 11.Sarhuta, 12.Nidi Sohana, 13.Daraha sehoor, 14. Battal Barehi, 15. Andha, 15. Darbaar Mai Totti
Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League (N) Azad Kashmir and Minister of local Govt. Khazana/Law etc. He was elected MLA in the Kashmir Assembly General Election held in 2006 for five years, Ch. Muhammad Rafiq Nayyer Ex. Minister of Health & Transport & Ch. Matloob Inqalabi Ex member of Kashmir Council & Elected MLA of the 2011 election and Minister of Education of colleges and IT. Aqib Hussain belongs to Darbaar Mai Totti and presently living in Brescia-Italy having own business of Autolavaggio.
Muhammad Waseem Malik belongs to Manjwal and presently living in Mirpur Khuiratta's famous Computer Instructor and Graphic Designer. Also Founder and Chairman of the Malik Youth Organization.
Khuiratta is famous for the annual Basakhi (festival). Thousands of people from the Kotli and other adjoining districts attend the festival in spring to watch sports, animal parades and horticultural displays. The nearby Banah is a beautiful area, full of natural springs and waterfalls. Several springs emerge from the mountains at Bahees Naraha(Bahee Narrah mean 22 natural water springs)In ancient times this was an important Hindu place of worship. Close to Khui Ratta are the Bagh Fatehpur Dehadi and Bagh Sain Hazuri which are known for their natural beauty. Thousands of people flock to the Mai-ka-Makam Shrine (Mai Toti Sahiba), some 4 km from Khui Ratta city, to pay homage to Mai Toti Sahiba.
The Indian army occasionally shells the area from the LOC. Before the cease-fire agreement between Pakistan and India, there were military and civilian casualties.
Khuiratta lies 29 kilometres from Kotli, Khuiratta and its surrounding areas are popular with tourists due to the historic remains of mountains and natural beauty. Four kilometres away from Khuiratta is the famous shrine of "Mai Toti Sahiba" which is visited by hundreds of people daily. Khuiratta is also well known for its Basakhi festival. For the last 50 years this mela has been held in Dehari Bagh. Thousands of people gather from as far away as Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala. The festival lasts for 3 days, activities include bull racing, wrestling, football and fairground rides. Other small towns surrounding Khuiratta are Seri, Bhroat Gala, Bandli, Anderla Kotehra, Doongi, Karjai, Dhara, Katasery and Nidi Sohana. Needi Sohana is the union council of Khuiratta and the highest point of the Kotli district and the famous Forest of Khui Forest. is located in this union council this fores see on google earth.
Khuiratta has good educational facilities, it has degree colleges for both boys and girls and dozens of government High Schools. A large number of private English medium schools also exist such as Holy Public School and College, Sufa Science College, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Ali Garden Public School, Pasban Academy etc. Khuiratta is also renowned for pirs and faqirs and the most revered - "Mai Toti Sahiba".
Khuiratta has its own history. Before the independence of Pakistan and India in 1947, it was used as a trade corridor between Rajouri and Mirpur.