Wah Cantt
Encyclopedia
Wah Cantonment (often abbreviated to Wah Cantt.) is a military city located in the Punjab
province of Pakistan
, 30 km (18.6 mi) to the north west of Rawalpindi
/Islamabad
.
, a small town enriched with one of the most important archaeological sites of the world. The ancient name of Taxila was 'Takshasila' which means the "city of cut stones". Here civilization and its manifestation in sculpture and other arts took roots and flourished. Taxila was conquered by Alexander in 327 BC. It later came under the Mauryan dynasty and attained a remarkably mature level of development under Ashoka
. Then appeared the Indo-Greek descendants of Alexander’s warriors and finally came the most creative period of Gandhara. The great Kushan dynasty was established somewhere near 50 AD. During the next 200 years, Taxila became a renowned center of learning, philosophy and art. Pilgrims and travelers as well as teachers and students were attracted to it from as far away as China and Greece.
The name 'Wah' has its roots in the Mughal era
with the Mughal emperor Jehangir reported to have coined the name when his army was stationed here en route from a mission. Emperor Jehangir was impressed by the scenery of this place, so he said "Wah" ('wow') and this place was named 'Wah' after that exclamation.
It is said that Mughal emperor Jehangir’s army was coming back from a campaign in Kashmir, it was evening time, and they were tired and looking for a place to stay. After a little search they were successful in finding a place with a natural source of water. As soon as the Mughal King watched the natural beauty of the spring and surrounding mountains, he loudly exclaimed ”Wah!”. His words were written on the stone of history. Since that day, this territory is called Wah. The Mughal advent had a strong influence on the architecture of the city which is still visible to date with prominent Mughal sites like the Wah Gardens.
After gaining Independence, Pakistan
had no facilities capable of producing armaments and military goods so urgent plans were made for an ordnance factory in Wah, Punjab
. The word Cantt was added to Wah in 1951, when Prime Minister Khawaja Nazim-u-Din unveiled the foundation stone of Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah Cantt. Chaudhry Sardar Khan was the founder and first Deputy Director General of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Wah Cantt. POF is not one ammunition factory but it is a complex of 14 factories manufacturing arms and ammunition ranging from bullets, shells, assault rifles, missiles and bombs. Heavy Industries in neighboring Taxila produces tanks and other heavy arms. The nearby town of Kamra is the site of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
where aircraft are manufactured, assembled, repaired and overhauled for the Air Force.
mentioned the Wah region in his book the Baburnama
. Wah has a rich historical background. It was a favorite place of the great Mughal rulers. They built several gardens here such as the most famous “Wah Garden”. It is still present with its remains of Mughal architecture. It is located on the main G.T Road. Wah Garden has a historical value along with being a beautiful and attractive picnic spot. This park has the potential to attract people from different places.
Sultan Sher Shah Suri
, who built the famous Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), built a 'bawley' or watering place here. It is now called the Sher Shah Park and is situated near the Aslam Market. It is said that Sher Shah's horses used to drink water there.
Wah is located in a fertile valley. It is suitable for growing every sort of crops, especially fruits. This area was not developed before the construction of the POF, but now it is one of the most advanced and developed places in Pakistan.
Wah Cantt is divided into 27 sectors and some private housing colonies. The commonly known colonies are Officer's colony Basti/Lala Rukh Shahwali Colony, Lala Zar, Gulistan colony, Ismailabad and AC Wah. Popular markets include Aslam market, Basti market, Anwaar chowk, Laiq Ali chowk Munirabad, Asifaabad, Ahmed Nagar and Nawab Abad . This city is distinguished because of a very high standard of education. Literacy rate is approximately 96%.The Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said “Wah Cantt possessed ideal education and health facilities and I am impressed with the 96 per cent literary rate in this city”.96% literacy rate 115 educational institutes serve over 50,000 students. Unsurprisingly, it has become one of the most expensive cities in the whole country. The secret of this excellence is disciplined living and strictly conscientious society where parents are reprimanded for keeping their children away from school even for a single day without cogent reason.
Wah also has 'Senior Citizen Foundation of Pakistan - Wah Chapter' office. The organization is devoted to the welfare of the senior citizens of Wah. The President Mr. Durrani and Secretary General Mr. Fazal Hussain Awan, and executive committee of the organization are providing dedicated services to the senior citizens of Wah. Some of their prominent contribution to the Senior Citizens in Wah are:-
Besides the organization also holds quarterly and annual functions wherein the Chairman POF Board and other officials participate and encourage the activities of aging citizens.
F.G Science Degree College's basket ball team is champion of ALL Pakistan basketball championship last 9 times consecutively
Wah has a hockey field laid with Astro Turf, one of the earliest examples of it in this once hockey-mad nation. The Hockey Stadium at Welfare Club (near Anwar Chowk) is a sad reminder of the glory days of Pakistani hockey when the country was an undisputed champion and a recognized super power in this game. Moreover, the CB Ground (near Barrier 3) is also be used for cricket.
Welfare Club also has an indoor sports arena as well as a swimming complex. Main public swimming facility is located at Ordnance Club near Aslam Market.ourse
Wah also has a Golf Course named "POF Golf Course". Currently the number one ranked Player on this course is Mr Rehan Akhtar from Rawalpindi.
(POF), is responsible for conventional weapons production and is located in Wah Cantonment. POF is a government organization operating under the defense Production Division in Pakistan’s Ministry of defense. POF is a complex of arms and ammunition manufacturing factories employing more than 40,000 personnel. POF has provided weapons and ammunition to the Pakistan Army and all their foreign clients. However, since POF can not produce the complete inventory of the Pakistani Army's armament needs, a high content of the Armed Force requirements are imported. POF produces approximately 70 major products for supply to Army, Navy and Air Force. The main products include automatic rifle; light medium and heavy machine guns, complete range of mortar and artillery ammunition, aircraft ammunition and anti-aircraft ammunition, tank ammunition and anti-tank ammunition, bombs, grenades, land mines, pyrotechnics and signal stores etc. It also has a clothing factory which supplies uniforms to the armed personnel.
This small city has two chartered universities, one medical college, one engineering college and a large number of schools. Wah Cantt has the highest literacy rate in all of Pakistan. Students from Wah Cantt can be found studying at all the institutes of Pakistan and most major universities of the world. Wah Cantt also has the largest number of bi-cycles than any city in Pakistan. This links the city with its past as, historically, the neighboring town of Taxila
had been a seat of learning for thousands of years.
Wah Cantt, having an area of no more than 30 square kilometers (approx.), has the highest number of educational institutes per square mile.
Apart from a large number of private and government schools up to 12th level, foundations of professional universities have been laid down in past 5 years.Base College Of Science & Commerce ,Apex Institute of Skills Wah Cantt Sir Syed College Wah Cantt Wah Medical College, University of Wah - which includes Wah Engineering College & Mishal College for Women, COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology are among the big institutes in Wah Cantt. In the private sector, Wah Swedish Institute of Technology, Rawalpindi College of Commerce and Rawalpindi Institute of Technology are popular technical education institutes. Zarghoona College for Women and Cantt College for women are some prominent women colleges. In government sector there is Technical Training Institute (TTI), a center of technical training. People qualified from this college serve not only in the POFs but also work in the Middle East and send valuable foreign exchange.
Some important Institutes:
There is a high competition to get admission at HSSC level in pre-medical and pre-engineering groups in F.G. and F.G Science Degree College for both men and women: Two for men and one post graduate college for women, as they are the most well established government colleges in Wah Cantt. Being a student of these colleges is thought of as an honour in the city. Then, there are other schools like Margalla Grammer School, Wah Grammar school, Lahore Grammar School, Organon, Wah City School, PICS Model School and also BSS (Beacon House School System) and numerous other schools from Montessori to "O" and "A" levels.
The concept of private commerce college was introduced by Sir Ayub Khattak in Wah Cantt, institute in his self, humble human being, great sports men. He had done remarkable development in commerce and finance studies in Wah Cantt. On 20 July 2010 he passed in a tragic accident near Khanpur dam. May Allah bless his soul. He will remain in our hearts and thoughts forever because of his contribution to promote commerce studies in Wah Cantt.
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
province of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, 30 km (18.6 mi) to the north west of Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
/Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
.
History
Wah Cantt is adjacent to TaxilaTaxila
Taxila is a Tehsil in the Rawalpindi District of Punjab province of Pakistan. It is an important archaeological site.Taxila is situated about northwest of Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi in Panjab; just off the Grand Trunk Road...
, a small town enriched with one of the most important archaeological sites of the world. The ancient name of Taxila was 'Takshasila' which means the "city of cut stones". Here civilization and its manifestation in sculpture and other arts took roots and flourished. Taxila was conquered by Alexander in 327 BC. It later came under the Mauryan dynasty and attained a remarkably mature level of development under Ashoka
Ashoka
Ashok Maurya or Ashoka , popularly known as Ashoka the Great, was an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty who ruled almost all of the Indian subcontinent from ca. 269 BC to 232 BC. One of India's greatest emperors, Ashoka reigned over most of present-day India after a number of military conquests...
. Then appeared the Indo-Greek descendants of Alexander’s warriors and finally came the most creative period of Gandhara. The great Kushan dynasty was established somewhere near 50 AD. During the next 200 years, Taxila became a renowned center of learning, philosophy and art. Pilgrims and travelers as well as teachers and students were attracted to it from as far away as China and Greece.
The name 'Wah' has its roots in the Mughal era
Mughal era
The Mughal era is a historic period of the Mughal Empire in South Asia . It ran from the early 15th century to a point in the early 18th century when the Mughal Emperors' power had dwindled...
with the Mughal emperor Jehangir reported to have coined the name when his army was stationed here en route from a mission. Emperor Jehangir was impressed by the scenery of this place, so he said "Wah" ('wow') and this place was named 'Wah' after that exclamation.
It is said that Mughal emperor Jehangir’s army was coming back from a campaign in Kashmir, it was evening time, and they were tired and looking for a place to stay. After a little search they were successful in finding a place with a natural source of water. As soon as the Mughal King watched the natural beauty of the spring and surrounding mountains, he loudly exclaimed ”Wah!”. His words were written on the stone of history. Since that day, this territory is called Wah. The Mughal advent had a strong influence on the architecture of the city which is still visible to date with prominent Mughal sites like the Wah Gardens.
After gaining Independence, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
had no facilities capable of producing armaments and military goods so urgent plans were made for an ordnance factory in Wah, Punjab
Punjab (Pakistan)
Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with approximately 45% of the country's total population. Forming most of the Punjab region, the province is bordered by Kashmir to the north-east, the Indian states of Punjab and Rajasthan to the east, the Pakistani province of Sindh to the...
. The word Cantt was added to Wah in 1951, when Prime Minister Khawaja Nazim-u-Din unveiled the foundation stone of Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah Cantt. Chaudhry Sardar Khan was the founder and first Deputy Director General of Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Wah Cantt. POF is not one ammunition factory but it is a complex of 14 factories manufacturing arms and ammunition ranging from bullets, shells, assault rifles, missiles and bombs. Heavy Industries in neighboring Taxila produces tanks and other heavy arms. The nearby town of Kamra is the site of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex is a facility used to service, assemble and manufacture aircraft for the Pakistani Armed Forces...
where aircraft are manufactured, assembled, repaired and overhauled for the Air Force.
Geography
Wah Cantt is located 50 km (appx. 30 miles) north west of Islamabad. It is a valley as it is surrounded by hills in all directions. Mughal Emperor Zaheer-UD-Din BaburBabur
Babur was a Muslim conqueror from Central Asia who, following a series of setbacks, finally succeeded in laying the basis for the Mughal dynasty of South Asia. He was a direct descendant of Timur through his father, and a descendant also of Genghis Khan through his mother...
mentioned the Wah region in his book the Baburnama
Baburnama
Bāburnāma is the name given to the memoirs of Ẓahīr ud-Dīn Muḥammad Bābur , founder of the Mughal Empire and a great-great-great-grandson of Timur...
. Wah has a rich historical background. It was a favorite place of the great Mughal rulers. They built several gardens here such as the most famous “Wah Garden”. It is still present with its remains of Mughal architecture. It is located on the main G.T Road. Wah Garden has a historical value along with being a beautiful and attractive picnic spot. This park has the potential to attract people from different places.
Sultan Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri , birth name Farid Khan, also known as Sher Khan , was the founder of the short-lived Sur Empire in northern India, with its capital at Delhi, before its demise in the hands of the resurgent Mughal Empire...
, who built the famous Grand Trunk Road (GT Road), built a 'bawley' or watering place here. It is now called the Sher Shah Park and is situated near the Aslam Market. It is said that Sher Shah's horses used to drink water there.
Wah is located in a fertile valley. It is suitable for growing every sort of crops, especially fruits. This area was not developed before the construction of the POF, but now it is one of the most advanced and developed places in Pakistan.
Culture
Wah Cantt is a multicultural City. People with various ethnic backgrounds live and work here.People from different religious background live here. Culture from Karachi to Khyber can be observed in the city. People are skillful and educated and most of them are factory employees. The city is rather quiet in the morning, but all charm of the city is restored in the evening. The hustle bustle of people for evening walks, children and elders playing games in playing grounds and elderly sitting on grass gardens add to the beauty of city. The city is said to have one of the best civic amenities in the entire country with a solid health care and education system.Wah Cantt is divided into 27 sectors and some private housing colonies. The commonly known colonies are Officer's colony Basti/Lala Rukh Shahwali Colony, Lala Zar, Gulistan colony, Ismailabad and AC Wah. Popular markets include Aslam market, Basti market, Anwaar chowk, Laiq Ali chowk Munirabad, Asifaabad, Ahmed Nagar and Nawab Abad . This city is distinguished because of a very high standard of education. Literacy rate is approximately 96%.The Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said “Wah Cantt possessed ideal education and health facilities and I am impressed with the 96 per cent literary rate in this city”.96% literacy rate 115 educational institutes serve over 50,000 students. Unsurprisingly, it has become one of the most expensive cities in the whole country. The secret of this excellence is disciplined living and strictly conscientious society where parents are reprimanded for keeping their children away from school even for a single day without cogent reason.
Wah also has 'Senior Citizen Foundation of Pakistan - Wah Chapter' office. The organization is devoted to the welfare of the senior citizens of Wah. The President Mr. Durrani and Secretary General Mr. Fazal Hussain Awan, and executive committee of the organization are providing dedicated services to the senior citizens of Wah. Some of their prominent contribution to the Senior Citizens in Wah are:-
Establishment of Senior Citizen office at Lalarukh.
Library where all daily newspapers and journals are kept for senior citizens.
TV room for watching interesting programs.
Medical Services like Physiotherapy, Sugar tests and discounted medicines and holding of free medical camps.
Free transport service within Wah Cantt.>
Besides the organization also holds quarterly and annual functions wherein the Chairman POF Board and other officials participate and encourage the activities of aging citizens.
Sports
People of this city are highly interested in sports. There are a number of grounds, about 300 small and big ones where different games are in proceeding all the time. Even in Ramzan sometimes people old up to 50 are found engaged in playing while above 70's watching them and rising appraisals.F.G Science Degree College's basket ball team is champion of ALL Pakistan basketball championship last 9 times consecutively
Wah has a hockey field laid with Astro Turf, one of the earliest examples of it in this once hockey-mad nation. The Hockey Stadium at Welfare Club (near Anwar Chowk) is a sad reminder of the glory days of Pakistani hockey when the country was an undisputed champion and a recognized super power in this game. Moreover, the CB Ground (near Barrier 3) is also be used for cricket.
Welfare Club also has an indoor sports arena as well as a swimming complex. Main public swimming facility is located at Ordnance Club near Aslam Market.ourse
Wah also has a Golf Course named "POF Golf Course". Currently the number one ranked Player on this course is Mr Rehan Akhtar from Rawalpindi.
Defense
The Pakistan Ordnance FactoriesPakistan Ordnance Factories
Pakistan Ordnance Factories was founded in 1951 with the primary objective of producing arms and ammunition for the armed forces of Pakistan...
(POF), is responsible for conventional weapons production and is located in Wah Cantonment. POF is a government organization operating under the defense Production Division in Pakistan’s Ministry of defense. POF is a complex of arms and ammunition manufacturing factories employing more than 40,000 personnel. POF has provided weapons and ammunition to the Pakistan Army and all their foreign clients. However, since POF can not produce the complete inventory of the Pakistani Army's armament needs, a high content of the Armed Force requirements are imported. POF produces approximately 70 major products for supply to Army, Navy and Air Force. The main products include automatic rifle; light medium and heavy machine guns, complete range of mortar and artillery ammunition, aircraft ammunition and anti-aircraft ammunition, tank ammunition and anti-tank ammunition, bombs, grenades, land mines, pyrotechnics and signal stores etc. It also has a clothing factory which supplies uniforms to the armed personnel.
Education
Wah has a remarkably high literacy rate.This small city has two chartered universities, one medical college, one engineering college and a large number of schools. Wah Cantt has the highest literacy rate in all of Pakistan. Students from Wah Cantt can be found studying at all the institutes of Pakistan and most major universities of the world. Wah Cantt also has the largest number of bi-cycles than any city in Pakistan. This links the city with its past as, historically, the neighboring town of Taxila
Taxila
Taxila is a Tehsil in the Rawalpindi District of Punjab province of Pakistan. It is an important archaeological site.Taxila is situated about northwest of Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi in Panjab; just off the Grand Trunk Road...
had been a seat of learning for thousands of years.
Wah Cantt, having an area of no more than 30 square kilometers (approx.), has the highest number of educational institutes per square mile.
Apart from a large number of private and government schools up to 12th level, foundations of professional universities have been laid down in past 5 years.Base College Of Science & Commerce ,Apex Institute of Skills Wah Cantt Sir Syed College Wah Cantt Wah Medical College, University of Wah - which includes Wah Engineering College & Mishal College for Women, COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology are among the big institutes in Wah Cantt. In the private sector, Wah Swedish Institute of Technology, Rawalpindi College of Commerce and Rawalpindi Institute of Technology are popular technical education institutes. Zarghoona College for Women and Cantt College for women are some prominent women colleges. In government sector there is Technical Training Institute (TTI), a center of technical training. People qualified from this college serve not only in the POFs but also work in the Middle East and send valuable foreign exchange.
Some important Institutes:
- Apex Institute of Skills
- Base College Of Science & Commerce
- C.B School No. 1 Officer's Colony Wah Cantt
- C.B School No. 2 Nawababad Wah Cantt
- C.B School No. 2 Officer's Colony Wah Cantt
- COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Wah Campus
- Kenshu Institute of Virtual University
- Lalarukh Model School
- MASHAL Post Graduate College
- Nasheman School for Special Education.
- Wah Medical College
- P.O.F Model High School
- F.G Post Graduate Girls College
- F.G Post Graduate Boys College
- F G Public High School
- F.G Model High School
- F.G Girls High School N0. 1
- F.G Girls High School N0. 2
- F.G Girls High School N0. 3
- F.G Girls High School N0. 4
- F.G Girls High School N0. 5
- F.G Boys High School N0. 6
- F.G Boys High School N0. 7
- F.G Boys High School N0. 8
- F.G Boys High School N0. 9
- F.G Boys High School N0. 10
- F.G Boys High School N0. 11
- F.G Girls High School N0. 12
- F.G Science Degree College
- POF Technical Institute
- Sir Syed College
- Swedish Institute of Engineering & Technology
- Wah Engineering College
- University of Wah
- Zarghoona College for Women
There is a high competition to get admission at HSSC level in pre-medical and pre-engineering groups in F.G. and F.G Science Degree College for both men and women: Two for men and one post graduate college for women, as they are the most well established government colleges in Wah Cantt. Being a student of these colleges is thought of as an honour in the city. Then, there are other schools like Margalla Grammer School, Wah Grammar school, Lahore Grammar School, Organon, Wah City School, PICS Model School and also BSS (Beacon House School System) and numerous other schools from Montessori to "O" and "A" levels.
The concept of private commerce college was introduced by Sir Ayub Khattak in Wah Cantt, institute in his self, humble human being, great sports men. He had done remarkable development in commerce and finance studies in Wah Cantt. On 20 July 2010 he passed in a tragic accident near Khanpur dam. May Allah bless his soul. He will remain in our hearts and thoughts forever because of his contribution to promote commerce studies in Wah Cantt.