Wah Cantonment

History

Wah Cantonment is situated along the historic Grand Trunk Road, one of the oldest trade corridor in South-Asia dating back to 2500 years that connected the Central Asia to South Asia.

The region surrounding Wah has been a cradle of history for millennia, lying close to the heartland of the Gandhara Civilisation, famed for its Buddhist art, culture, and scholarship between the 1st millennium BCE and the early centuries CE. Archaeological remains, stupas, and relics from Gandhara still exist in the wider Taxila–Wah area.

Mughal Rule

The Mughal invasion of this area had a significant impact on the architecture of the village and surrounding areas which is visible in historic landmarks such as Mughal Gardens Wah colliqually known as Wah Gardens. These Gardens have hosted multiple mughal emperors and other notable mughal figures such as Raja Man Singh, Jahangir (1607), Shah Jahan (1639, 1646, 1647, 1649, 1654) and Aurangzeb (1676).

British Rule

In 1849, as the aftermath of the Sikh Empire's defeat in the Second Anglo-Sikh war, the region was brought under British rule.

During this time, Pakistan's Oldest Cement Manufacturing Plant known as the Associate Cement Company (ACC), later renamed as ACC Wah Portland Cement Company Ltd, was also established in Wah in 1921. At the time of Partition, it was one of four cement plants in Pakistan. Sir Sikandar Hayat, former Premier of Punjab, also served on the board of this company. This cement plant was designed by FLSmidth & Co.

Pre-partition Refugee Camp

As a result of the Rawalpindi Massacres of March 1947, multiple Sikhs & Hindus were left homeless and destitute. A refugee camp was set up at Wah Cantonment for these groups. Plausibly at the Wah Cement Company Ltd Plant (erstwhile Associated Cement Company) that was established in 1921. Historical accounts suggest that up to 12,000 refugees were hosted at Wah Cantonment.

Demographics

Population

According to 2023 census, Wah Cantonment had a population of 400,733.

Language

In the 2023 census, 62.48% of the population identified their mother tongue as Punjabi, 15.39% as Urdu, 14.45% as Pashto, 3.70% as Hindko, 1.24% as Kashmiri, 0.93% as Saraiki 1.81% spoke other minor languages (mostly Sindhi and Balti).

Education

On an official visit on 10 January 2005, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz said Wah Cantonment possessed ideal education and health facilities and that he was impressed with the literacy rate of the city.

Owing to this prestigious distinction in the education sector, I declare Wah Cantt as model education city of the country - Shaukat Aziz

Wah Cantonment boasts one of the highest literacy rates in Pakistan, reportedly exceeding 99.99%. The city is home to a wide range of educational institutions, including universities, medical colleges, and technical institutes. Prominent establishments include the following:

• University of Wah
• COMSATS University Islamabad (Wah Campus)
• Wah Medical College
• Wah Engineering College
• Sir Syed School and College System.
• Swedish College of Engineering and Technology.
• Virtual University of Pakistan.
• POF Institute of Technology.

Central Library Wah

The library was inaugurated on 9 October 1984. The Central Library is a repository boasting books and periodicals in excess of 58,000 and is located on Quaid Avenue. The library also maintains 5 reading rooms throughout various parks in the city.

Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEI C/G)

The Federal Government Educational Institutions Directorate (FGEI) maintains its second-largest regional education network in Wah Cantonment. Established in 1984, the Regional Office Wah oversees FGEI's institutions in Wah Cant. The region comprises 42 schools and 4 colleges serving a student population of over 33,000 with approximately 1,400 faculty members, making it one of the largest public-sector schooling networks in Pakistan. Prominent institutions of the FGEI network are as follows

F.G. Degree College for Men

The college was established as C.B. Intermediate College in 1964 and subsequently raised to the degree level in 1978. Its administrative control was entrusted to the Federal Ministry of Education after Nationalization of Educational Institutions in 1975. Since 1992 the institute is under the control of Directorate of FGEI.

Federal Government Public School No.1 (Boys)

The school was initially established under Cantonment Board as Junior Public School in 1952. Later, It was upgraded as Secondary Public School in 1958. Due to nationalization, in 1975, this school was taken over by Federal Ministry of Education. Finally, it was handed over to Directorate of FGEI.

In 1981 this Public School was bifurcated and augurated as Federal Government Public High School Wah Cantt and Federal Government Junior Public School Wah Cantt. The school was offering co-education since its inception. In the year 1999, a board was constituted at regional level to assess the feasibility of a separate Girl's High School. Consequently, the bifurcated Junior Public School portion was transformed into Federal Government Public School No. 6 (Girls), Wah Cantt.

Landmarks

Mughal Gardens Wah

Wah Gardens (Urdu: واہ باغ), also known as Mughal Garden Wah (Urdu: مغل گارڈن واہ), is a garden-complex dating created by Raja Man Singh, brother-in-law and court chief of Emperor Jahangir. These gardens have hosted multiple Mughal Emperors including Jahangir (1607), Shah Jahan (1639, 1646, 1647, 1649, 1654) and Aurangzeb (1676).

Losar Baoli

Sultan Sher Shah Suri, who built the famous Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), built a 'Baoli' or stepwell alongside the historic Grank Trunk road. It is said that the 'Baoli' was built for Sher Shah's horses used to drink water. Currently, the Baoli stands preserved as a remnant of the Suri Empire in a park named Sher Shah Suri park in honour of the Suri Emperor.

Jamia Masjid

The Jamia Masjid (also known as Markazi Jamia Masjid) is the principal congregational mosque of Wah Cantonment, located on Quaid Avenue. The mosque was inaugurated by the then President of Pakistan, Muhammad Ayub Khan, on 5 April 1959.

The mosque draws heavy inspiration from Mughal architecture, particularly resembling Lahore's iconic Badshahi Mosque. The mosque features a traditional Mughal layout with a large rectangular courtyard, a triple-dome prayer hall, and two prominent minarets flanking the structure. The mosque also acts as a seminary and offers Hifz-ul-Qur’an programs to students.

During special occasions like Mawlid (12 Rabi‑ul‑Awal) and Independence Day (14 August), the mosque is illuminated with decorative lighting, drawing large crowds of local residents each year.

Railway Station

The city of Wah Cantonment is served by three railway stations, operated by Pakistan Railways, all three are located along the Karachi–Peshawar main line, also known as Main Line 1, and were constructed and inaugurated during the British Raj.

Wah Cantonment railway station

This rail line was established in the late 19th century during the British Raj and the railway station began operations in 1913.

Budho Railway Station

This railway station was established in 1881 during the British Raj. It is the penultimate railway station of Rawalpindi Division.

Wah Railway Station

Wah Railway Station, opened in 1909, is the largest of the three railway stations located in Wah Cantonment. It is the last railway station of Rawalpindi Division.

Sports

Wah Cantonment has hosted the following notable sporting events.

1st WISPA Squash Competition (2005)

Wah Cantonment hosted Pakistan's first international women's squash WISPA (Women's International Squash Player's Association) tournament, the WISPA event, held from 28 August to 2 September 2005 at the Jahangir Khan Squash Complex. The tournament featured international players from Pakistan, England, Malaysia, Denmark, South Korea, and India, and offered prize money around US$7,000. England-based Pakistani squasher Carla Khan won the title, defeating Malaysian Sharon Wee in the final with a score of 9–1, 9–4, 9–3—without dropping a single set. The president of World Squash Federation Jahangir Khan attended the event as chief guest.

3rd Asia Circle Style Kabaddi Cup (2016)

The event was hosted at the Welfare Club from May 2–6, this regional championship attracted six national teams: Pakistan, India, Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Pakistan defended its title by defeating India 50–31 in the final. Pakistan also defeated Iran 47–22 in the opening match and beat Sri Lanka 56–23 during the event. The tournament was televised by PTV Sports.

Incidents

2008 Wah Bombings

On 21 August 2008, two suicide bombers blew themselves up killing 70 people and injuring more than 100. The bombers blew themselves up at 1435 Hours when hundreds of workers were leaving after a shift change. Most of the victims were civilian workers.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. Maulvi Omar, the spokesman for TTP, said his group had carried out the suicide attacks.

A total of three suicide bombers were to detonate themselves. The two suicide bombers, named Murad and Sowrat Khan, were 15 and 18. Whereas the third bomber, and the mastermind, was 20 years old Hameedullah. The first explosion took place outside the factory and it was followed by an equally powerful blast at the same place by the second bomber, located close to a bustling market. Witnesses said the bombers were on foot and they exploded themselves within a minute of each other.

Whereas, the third bomber and mastermind, Hameedullah, was tasked to bomb the main hospital. His plan was to carry out his attack at the hospital where all the injured workers were being rushed to for medical attention and their families were coming to attend them. However, after witnessing his fellow bombers being pulverised due to the suicide attack they carried out, Hameedullah lost his nerve. He abandoned his vest in the toilet of a mosque in a nearby market and tried to flee by a taxi. Soon after, Hameedullah was apprehended while fleeing by a taxi, law-enforcement agencies seized the explosive-vest that he had left in the toilet at the mosque.

Hameedullah was convicted on 29 January 2011 on account of 69 charges laid against him by the prosecution. These chargesheets laid against the terrorist included the following sections from Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860),

• Section 302 (Murder),
• Section 324 (Attempted murder),
• Section 435 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with an intent to cause damage),
• Section 436 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with an intent to destroy),
• Section 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy)

Aswell as, Sections 3 and 4 of Explosive Act,1884 and section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. Accordingly, an Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi sentenced the third would-be bomber to capital punishment.

During investigation Hameedullah later on revealed that a fourth would-be bomber named Bakhtiar was also supposed to blow himself. However, notwithstanding the criminal confessions made by Hameedullah himself and extensive evidence adduced against Hameedullah by the prosecution. On 14 January 2025, the three judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Justice Athar Minullah, overturned the death sentence of Hameedullah citing "Deficient Investigation" and acquitted Hameedullah.

Notable people

Following is the list of notable people that are either born in, associated with, or died in Wah Cantonment

• Sardar Liaqat Hayat Khan, KCIE, OBE, former Minister & Prime Minister of Patiala State, as well as Ambassador of Pakistan to France
• Nawab Muhammad Hayat Khan, CSI, a British Indian Nawab who rose to considerable distinction for his service to the British Raj
• Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi, NI, SI, HI, a Nuclear scientist known for his contribution to Project 706, Pakistan's Nuclear Program.
• General (R) Syed Nadeem Raza, NI(M), HI(M), 2nd last Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan Armed Forces.
• Dr. Abdul Hafeez, a radiochemistry scientist and explosives engineers, and one of the early pioneers of Pakistan Ordinance Factories.
• Lt. Gen. (R) Ahsan Azhar Hayat Khan, HI(M), Commander V corps, Commandant Pakistan Military Academy, and Pakistan's Ambassador to Jordan.
• Lt. Gen (R) Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat Khan, HI (M), Commander XI corps, Managing Director Pakistan Land Ports Authority.
• Syed Sohail Hussain Naqvi, SI, current rector USA, former rector LUMS, Executive Director of HEC.
• Olympian Zakir Hussain, won Gold Medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics, and an Olympic silver medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
• Fida Ur Rehman, notable Pakistani footballer, won the 1989 and 1991 South Asian Games with Pakistan
• Major Atif-ur-Rehman Shaheed, Pakistan Army Aviation, lost his life in a helicopter crash in Chilas
• Syed Manzoor-ul-Konain, Naat Reciter, Pride of Performance.
• Syed Zabeeb Madood, prominent Naat Reciter
• Baadshah Pehalwan Khan, professional wrestler