Haveli District is a small mountain district of Azad Kashmir in Poonch Division, east of Bagh, with its headquarters at Forward Kahuta and the Line of Control along its northern, eastern and southern edges. It is one of the least visited parts of AJK, and its tourist places are centred on Forward Kahuta: high meadows, a border-country lake and the district's highest peak. It suits people who already know the more popular parts of AJK and want somewhere quieter, with the trade-off that facilities are basic and much of it sits close to the Line of Control.
Haveli was promoted from a tehsil of Bagh District to a full district on 1 July 2009. Most of it lies at around 2,400 metres (8,000 ft) and above, and it gets heavy, regular snowfall in winter.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Division | Poonch, Azad Kashmir |
| Headquarters | Forward Kahuta |
| Tehsils | Haveli, Khurshidabad and Mumtazabad |
| Area | 598 sq km |
| Population | 152,124 (2017 census) |
| From Bagh | About 61 km by road (OSRM), roughly 1.5 to 2 hours |
| From Rawalakot | About 70 km on OSRM's route; other sources give about 100 km |
| From Islamabad | About 179 km by road (OSRM) |
| Typical altitude | Around 2,400 m and higher across the district |
| Highest point | Bedori Top, about 3,727 m (12,228 ft) |
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What is Haveli District?
Haveli is one of Azad Kashmir's ten districts. It covers 598 square kilometres and had 152,124 people at the 2017 census, in three tehsils (Haveli, Khurshidabad and Mumtazabad), 12 union councils and 95 villages. To the north and north-east lies Baramulla district and to the south-east Poonch district, both across the Line of Control in Indian-administered Kashmir; to the west are Bagh and Poonch districts of AJK.
People here speak Pahari and Gujari, with some Kashmiri, and Urdu is used everywhere. Gujjars are the largest community. India calls the area the "Haji Pir bulge": the district pushes in between Uri and Poonch on the Indian side, and the road north from Forward Kahuta leads towards the Haji Pir Pass, which changed hands in the 1965 war, and on to Uri.
Forward Kahuta, the district town
Forward Kahuta is Haveli's headquarters, sitting on a plateau above the Betar Nala river, about 61 km from Bagh by road on OSRM's route. The town was simply called Kahuta until the 1990s, when the "Forward Kahuta" name came into use. It's a small town rather than a tourist centre: basic shops, a handful of places to eat, and modest accommodation, functioning mainly as the administrative hub and the practical base for exploring the rest of the district. Its place on the old road to the Haji Pir Pass gives a sense of how close this district sits to the Line of Control.
Kalamula
Kalamula is one of the district's better-known local viewpoints, reached from Forward Kahuta on the road network through the surrounding villages. It's valued for the same thing much of Haveli offers: open hill and mountain views with very little tourist infrastructure built around them. Treat it as a scenic drive and stop rather than a destination with facilities, and check current road conditions locally before setting out, since much of the district's road network is narrower and less maintained than the main routes through Bagh.
Other spots on the district's list
Published lists of the district's tourist places, such as Wikipedia's, are long for its size. Besides Kalamula, they include Hillan Waterfall, Sankh meadows, Mahmood Gali, Lasdana, Pajja Gali, the Pahala waterfall near Kalamula, the Khariyan waterfall in the Keerni Mandhar union council, and Rani Bagh. We could not find reliable, recent detail on road access to most of them, so treat the names as a starting point and ask in Forward Kahuta which roads are open before you set out.
Neel Fari and Bedori: a sentence, then look elsewhere
Two of Haveli's best-known sights deserve their own detailed guides rather than a paragraph each here. Neel Fari is a high alpine lake above Forward Kahuta reached by a drive to the village of Bashan followed by a two to three hour hike; our Neel Fari Lake guide covers the route, camping and the border checks to expect. Bedori Top, at about 3,727 metres, is the district's highest peak and a multi-day trek with army checkpoints near the summit; our Bedori Top trek guide covers that route in full.
Roads and getting around
Haveli's road network is built around Forward Kahuta as the hub, with routes branching out to the district's villages and viewpoints. None of it is fast: expect narrow, winding hill roads, and treat any distance in kilometres as a longer drive in time than the same distance would take on a main highway. The OSRM route planner gives about 65 minutes for the 61 km from Bagh, which assumes a clear road; we would allow one and a half to two hours. A vehicle in good condition and a driver used to hill roads matter more here than in the more developed parts of Azad Kashmir. Bring cash, as reliable card facilities are rare this far from the district's main towns.
Where to stay
Accommodation in Haveli is limited and concentrated in and around Forward Kahuta: simple guesthouses and, in places, PWD or forest rest houses rather than hotels in the usual sense. Book ahead where you can, since options are few, and don't expect anything close to the range of hotels available in Bagh town. If you'd rather stay somewhere with more choice and day-trip into Haveli, Bagh, about 61 km away by road, is the more comfortable base; see our guide to hotels in Bagh.
Is it safe to visit Haveli?
Haveli sits close to the Line of Control, and parts of the district, including the approach to Bedori Top, involve army checkpoints where you'll need to show your CNIC. Azad Kashmir as a whole saw serious unrest in 2026, with Joint Awami Action Committee protests from June leaving over 50 dead by some rights groups' counts and causing weeks of communications shutdowns; the AJK government asked tourists to stay away for a period. The UK advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which covers much of Haveli, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir. Pakistani visitors do still come, but check local news and police advice before planning a trip, and carry identification at all times. Overseas visitors should know their own government's advice may say not to go, which can void travel insurance.
Keep to roads and known paths near the Line of Control. On 12 October 2026 four young men repairing a spring-water pipeline were killed by a landmine near the LoC in Hajira tehsil of neighbouring Poonch district; officials said it had drifted from the Indian side (Express Tribune, Samaa). Our guide to whether Azad Kashmir is safe covers the wider picture.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Haveli district?
In Poonch Division of Azad Kashmir, east of Bagh, with the Line of Control on three sides. Its headquarters is Forward Kahuta.
What is the main town in Haveli district?
Forward Kahuta, the district headquarters, about 61 km by road from Bagh.
Do I need permission to visit Haveli?
Ordinary tourist visits don't require a special permit for Pakistani nationals, but expect CNIC checks at checkpoints, particularly further towards Bedori Top and the Line of Control. Foreign nationals should check current requirements before travelling.
Is Haveli worth visiting if I've already seen the rest of Azad Kashmir?
For travellers who want quieter, less developed scenery and don't mind basic facilities and longer drives, yes. It's not the place for a first trip to AJK given the limited infrastructure and its location near the Line of Control.
How do I get to Haveli district?
By road via Bagh, about 61 km from Forward Kahuta, or via Rawalakot. From Islamabad it is about 179 km by road on OSRM's route. There is no airport or rail link in the district.
