Cadet College Hasan Abdal

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Cadet College Hasan Abdal
Cadet College Hasan Abdal.png
Address
Cadet College Hasan Abdal
Grand Trunk Road/N5


Information
MottoSecond to None
Opened1954
PrincipalBrigadier (R) Nasir Saeed Khattak, SI(M)
Chairman Board of GovernorsGovernor of the Punjab
Staff47
GenderBoys
Age12to 19
Enrollmentc. 550
Area98 acres (40 ha)
Colour(s)  Blue
Demonym Abdalians
Wings (houses)6
Website www.cch.edu.pk

Cadet College Hasanabdal (CCH) is a residential secondary school located in Hasan Abdal, Attock District, Punjab, Pakistan. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Contents

The college boards 600 male students [6] (12 to 19 years old) and offers GCE 'O' Levels, A Levels from Cambridge, and HSSC (Pre-Medical & Pre-Engineering) from the Federal Board, Islamabad. [6] Students appear in a nationwide competitive examination for the merit-based selection, including those from overseas. [7]

History

Cadet College Hasanabdal is the first cadet college of the country. The idea of building a cadet college in Hasan Abdal came directly from then Commander in Chief of the Pakistan Army—General Muhammad Ayub Khan—in 1952. The purpose was to establish a military feeding institution for the Services Academies. Consequently, military wings (were) started in 1952 at Government College Sahiwal (then known as Government College Montgomery) and Islamia College Peshawar. For the present structure, the land that used to be the firing range was provided by the Pakistan Army, and funds were allocated by the Government of Punjab. The Chief Architect for Government of the Punjab, Habib J. A. Somjee, [8] designed the structure of this institution that was completed in 1954 and the classes, at Pubjab Cadet College (the first name of CCH), commenced in the month of April as military wings from Sahiwal and Peshawar were combined at Hasan Abdal. This maiden institution needed a learned and experienced educationist to lead. It was none other than Hugh Catchpole—Ex-Principal of the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College (presently known as Indian Military College) Dehradun, India, who was deemed fit and he joined CCH as the founding Principal. The name of the college was changed to Government Cadet College in 1957 and finally to Cadet College Hasanabdal in 1960 as the status of the military feeding institution was revoked. [8]

Governing body and management

In 1960, the government of the province of Punjab constituted a board of governors to exercise administrative control over the college vide Punjab Government Educational and Training Institutions Ordinance 1960. [9] The board includes academicians, administrators, and intellectuals. [10] [11] The board consists of ex-officio and non-official members. The board consists of Chairman, the Governor of the province of Punjab, Vice Chairman, Chairman Pakistan Ordinance Factories Board whereas members include Commissioner Rawalpindi Division, Secretary Finance Department, Secretary School Education Department, Deputy Commissioner Attock and Principal Cadet College Hasanabdal.

Under the board, various governing committees work to officiating the day-to-day affairs of the college. The executive committee is chaired by Chairman Pakistan Ordinance Factory and assisted by some prominent Abdalians; the principal acts as the secretary of the committee.

Demographics

Cadet College Hasanabdal was planned as a boarding institute for almost 480 students from all across Pakistan. In the year 1996, the college underwent a renovation and expansion. It included wings, construction of N.D. Hasan Library and Computer Lab, resultingly, enhancing the boarding capacity of the college. The selection of the students is based on "All Pakistan Open Merit Need Blind" admission policy. This consists of a nationwide entrance examination that follows medical, physical, and psychological evaluation. Every year 120 students join as a new class. [12]

College Building

The college building stands tall on Grant Trunk Road. It includes, technology equipped classrooms and science labs. The rear side of the building is etched to the College Oval. Naeem Hall in the building serves as multi-functional auditorium where the students watch weekly movies, take exams, and attend other formal gatherings. [13]

Wings

The college is divided into six wings: [14] Jinnah, Haider, Iqbal, Omar, Liaqat, and Aurangzeb.

Student life

Students attending Cadet College, Hasan Abdal, are called cadets.

The college prepares boys for the secondary school and intermediate examinations conducted by the Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, and also for the General Certificate of Education 'O' Levels and 'A' Levels, which follow a similar format to the GCSEs and 'A' levels used in the UK. [15] Some cadets study for Matriculation or F.Sc. (both pre-medical and pre-engineering). English, Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakistan Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are compulsory at each level; some other subjects (e.g. Computer Science) are offered within the different levels.

Fitness activities include gymnastics, jogging, and athletics. Sports time is held in the evenings on weekdays. Cadets take part in sports such as basketball, field hockey, football, horse riding, squash, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. Students are also taught drill.

Classes are conducted in the morning and preps (individual silent study periods) at night. The routine is a structured daily regime to promote maximum performance by the students.

CCH Schedule.png

Infrastructure

Cadet College Hasanabdal - 1993 Cadet College Hasan Abdal aerial view 1.jpg
Cadet College Hasanabdal - 1993
Mascots and slogans representing the college wings Wings' Mascots.png
Mascots and slogans representing the college wings

The college is spread over approximately 98 acres (40 ha). Buildings on the property include a mosque, a two-story education block, college hall—known as Naeem Hall in memory of ex-cadet Captain Naeem Akhtar (Shaheed)— the six boarding wings, two cadet messes—known as Khatlani Hall and Hussain Shah Hall in memory respectively of ex-cadet Lt. Ahmed Farooq Khatlani (Shaheed) and ex-cadet Lt. Hussain Shah (Shaheed)— a swimming pool, a 16-bed hospital, the administrative block, a workshop and a hobbies block. Sports facilities include two squash courts and a number of football, hockey and cricket pitches, as well as a horse-back riding ground. The college has residential accommodation for the teaching and administrative staff based within the college. There is an oval ground in the middle of the college around which all the six wings are located. Recently, every wing has been given a slogan and a mascot. A road, "Scholar's Walk" as called by BOGs, surrounds the Oval. [16] It is a cricket ground with flood lights installed around for playing cricket matches even at night.

Principals

Principals and their tenure start dates are: [17]

Hugh Catchpole CBE HI 1954 - 1958
Mirza Nisar Ali Baig1958 - 1959
A.W.E Winlaw CBE 1959 - 1964
Lt. Col. J.D.H Chapman1964 - 1971
Col. N.D Hasan1971 - 1978
Shaukat Sultan1979 - 1982
Brig (R) S. Naseeruddin SI (M)1983-1988
Prof. Zafar Ali Shah1988 - 1993
Brig (Retd) Syed Shah Bbar1993 - 2003
Prof. Syed Dilshad Hussain, HI 2002 - 2006
Air CDRE (Retd) Tayyab N. Akhtar SI (M)2006 - 2009
Prof. Muhammad Asif Malik2009 - 2012
Maj. General (R) Najeeb Tariq HI (M)2013 - 2019
Brig (R) Nasir Saeed Khattak SI (M)2019–present

Controversies

Founding principal's burial

The founding principal, Hugh Catchpole, had expressed his wish to be buried on the premises of Cadet College Hasanabdal. After his death on February 1, 1997 there came two groups. One was against the idea to have anyone’s grave on an academic institution whereas, the personal interest of then Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Abbas Khattak and other prominent Abdalians made this possible to find a quiet corner for the founding principal. [18]

Placement of Shuhada Monument

To pay homage to the brave sons of the soil, who laid their lives down while defending their motherland, the Shuhada Monument was constructed in the year 2003. [19] When it came to construct the monument, its location divided the Abdalian community. Some were of the view to construct the monument in place of the fountain which used to be in N. D. Hassan Square - in front of the Academics Block; others opposed it. Finally, the current place, closer to the main gate, was amicably agreed.

David Headly & Tahawwur Rana

The college came in the limelight after 2008 Mumbai attacks [20] , in view of the alleged involvement of two of its alumni; David Headly (Syed Daud Gillani) and Tahawwur Rana, from 21st Entry (1974-1979). [21] [22]

Cambridge Stream and Hefty Fee

In very recent times, college embarked on a journey to be an all-Cambridge institution. [23] This decision received a great amount of criticism and divided the alumni. This decision, coupled with heavy fees, due to discontinuation of grant in aid by the Government of Punjab, has put the college administration in a very tight situation. [24]

Display of Military Equipment

Cadet College Hasanabdal started as military feeding nursery and the majority of the early cadets joined forces. Once they reached to their better profiling in the forces they presented obsolete military equipment for display on the campus. Some alumni were of the view that as college does not have any affiliation with the armed forces now, so this military apparatus must not be displayed. [25]

Notable alumni

The following notable people are graduates of the college: [26] [27]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Amjad Iqbal (24 June 2018). "Hassanabdal Cadet College was 'first of its kind'". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  2. "Cadet College Hasan Abdal's founding principal Hugh Catchpole remembered". Daily Times (newspaper). 2 February 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  3. Jaskiran Chopra (18 March 2015). "Hugh Catchpole: RIMC'S legendary teacher". The Pioneer (newspaper of Dehradun, India). Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  4. Aamir Yasin (15 July 2019). "Hassanabdal cadet college students grab top positions in SSC exams". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  5. Hugh Catchpole of Cadet College Hasan Abdal The Friday Times (newspaper), Published 3 November 2017, Retrieved 9 November 2022
  6. 1 2 "OVERVIEW OF CCH". CCH. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  7. "Admission to Class Viii /O-Level".
  8. 1 2 "OVERVIEW OF CCH". CCH. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  9. "The Punjab Government Educational and Training Institutions 1960". punjablaws.gov.pk. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  10. "Board of Trustees". CCH. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  11. "BOARD OF GOVERNORS". CCH. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  12. https://cch.edu.pk/online-admissions
  13. "OVERVIEW OF CCH". CCH. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  14. "General Facilities - CCH" . Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  15. "UK Education System". International Student. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  16. "Campus at a Glance".
  17. "List of CCH Principals" . Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  18. Khan, Muhammad (14 September 2023). "A True Patriot Hug(e)h Catchpole – Second To None" . Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  19. https://cch.edu.pk/18th-entry-golden-jubilee-celebrations
  20. "Mumbai terrorist attacks of 2008 | Events, Death Toll, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  21. https://www.efsas.org/publications/study-papers/david-coleman-headley-tinker,-tailor,-american,-lashkar-e-taibah,-isi-spy/
  22. "U.S. Extradites Alleged Co-Conspirator of 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks to Face Charges in India". United States Department of Justice. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  23. "Cadet College Hasan Abdal". Round Square. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  24. "Appeal by the Principal". CCH. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  25. "Controversies". CCH. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  26. "Prominent Abdalians In Civil Sector". Cadet College Hasanabdal. Archived from the original on 16 February 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  27. "Prominent Abdalians Alumni". Cadet College Hasanabdal. Retrieved 10 November 2022.

33°49′09″N72°40′38″E / 33.819161°N 72.677211°E / 33.819161; 72.677211