The road from Bhimber to Mirpur passes over Upper Jhelum Canal coming out of Mangla Dam.The junction is called Jatli from where a road south leads to Sarai Alamgir just 17Km away.
As one enters Mirpur there is sudden feeling that one has reached a rich,prosperous town.The roads are upgraded Double road properly marked with street lights.Suddenly large Shopping Malls and quality Hotels appear.I felt I was in some small town of Gulf rather then Pakistan.
I reached Mirpur on 20th Nov in the afternoon and checked in a hotel close to the main Bus station. Which was located little away from main Town center and closer to the huge and beautiful Mangla Lake formed by Mangla Dam. Where the water from river Jhelum and Ponch get restored before being released over the Dam making electricity.
Before sunset I walked towards the lake but could not reach it as sun set and the rural road was not fit for night walking.I returned towards the town Center.The main Street was full of quality eating places,impressive Malls,hospitals,large educational institutions and high standard hotels.All Banks seems to be represented here.All fitted with ATMs.
After dinner I returned back to the hotel and watched Tv for sometime before sleeping. With about 100 channels Business Plus Tv appeared highlighted as much watched channel according to owner of the hotel.
What struck me was that almost 70% advertisement on Tv and FM in Mirpur as well as Bhimber was related to Educational institutions.Many adds were in English.Education seems to be the main Business in Town with special emphasis on English.
It is no wonder because Kashmirs from Mirpur migrated in large numbers to UK in 50s and 60s and from a major portion of Pakistanis living in UK.Later they migrated to Gulf in large number thanks to the vocational training and English skills.
Visit to Dadyal via Islamghar
Next day I decided to go around the huge lake. The best way to do that was to go around it to the other side, where the Town of Dadyal was located.From my hotel I could see this and other Towns across the Lake.I could see an under construction bridge across the Lake with pillars standing.
I took a Bus going to Dadyal and the fun began as we existed the town the road got close to the Lake and its high boundary wall became the road.The view from this point was spectacular,gleaming blue water with water sports activity in many places filled the heart with joy.As we reached the main land on the other side a large park greeted us and from this point large mansions could be seen dotted all around the lake.I was told that these beautiful and substantial villas mostly belong to Overseas Pakistani.Many were empty and used only during holidays.
Passing the small town of Islamgarh and Chaksawari we reached the bridge over River Ponch which comes down from Kotli to end in the Mangla lake.The view at this point was fantastic.Some of the best villas in the Area are located here.
The Town of Dadyal was basic yet had good hotels,big shopping Malls and restaurants of all kind. I walked around the town including the edge of the Lake from which I could see Mirpur across the Lake. After hefty lunch,I reached back to the Bus station for a return journey.The journey lasting some 3 hours was quite tiring due to twist and turns of the mountainous region.
After a well deserved rest and sleep next morning on 22nd Nov I started for Sargodha.
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