Azad Jammu and Kashmir commemorates its 77th Foundation Day, marking the establishment of its autonomous government on October 24, 1947, under the leadership of Sardar Ibrahim Khan in Muzaffarabad.
The historical event followed the partition of the subcontinent, when Maharaja Hari Singh's decision to accede to India sparked resistance among Kashmir's Muslim majority population. Local leaders, supported by tribal forces, initiated a movement to establish a separate identity for the region.
The foundation of Azad Kashmir's government emerged from the armed resistance against Dogra rule, resulting in the liberation of a portion of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. This development represented a significant shift in the region's governance structure.
The establishment of self-governance in Muzaffarabad marked the first step toward autonomous administration in the liberated territories, following the upheaval of partition and subsequent events of 1947.
The annual observance serves as a historical milestone in Kashmir's political timeline, commemorating the establishment of self-governance in the region.