This article is dedicated to all honorable teachers and their students, wherever they may be. The person in the picture is the honorable Principal of Cadet College Hasan Abdal, which is the very first and, so far, the best educational institution that has shaped the destinies of many students.
I was on my way to Abbottabad to meet with the DG Galliate Development Authority regarding an environmental issue that the reserved national park of Margalla faced at the hands of commercial builders. However, the bold and brave former Commissioner, Honorable Riaz Khan Mehsud, advised me not to take the hectic summer round trip from Islamabad to Abbottabad. He mentioned that the DG, Honorable Waseef Saeed, was kind enough to take immediate notice of the public interest issue. Instead, I diverted to Cadet College Hasan Abdal without a prior appointment. Most of the staff there is already known to me, as I have acted as a researcher, scriptwriter, and director for their documentary titled “The Spiritual Heartland.” Additionally, the institution is the alma mater of my son, Azeem Khan Effendi.
During our conversation over a nice cup of coffee, I discovered that the Principal, Brig R Nasir Saeed Khattak, is an Abdalian from the 27th entry and has also served as its adjutant. Furthermore, he was the founding Principal of Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, which makes him a well-qualified professional in managing educational institutions, especially Cadet colleges. As an Armoured Corps Officer, he maintained the demeanor of a gentleman with a smiling face but firm administrative hands. He knows that he is a guardian to many children who are entrusted to his care by their parents. The parents’ trust is well-founded, given his reputation that preceded his present appointment as the Principal of the country’s best Cadet college.
My association, as well as that of my entire family, has been with the convent system of schooling even before partition. My father and uncles studied at the convent in Baramulla in occupied Kashmir before shifting to Lawrence College Murre. I studied at the convent in Sangota in Swat, and coincidentally, Honorable Brig Nasir Khan himself studied at the convent in Murre.
We discussed education and its challenges, and the focus shifted to the recent tragedy that occurred at my Alma Mater in Swat. We emphasized the need for an enhanced focus to create a conducive environment where quality education can be imparted without any fear or security concerns for both the faculty and the students.
During the recent incident, I realized the difficulties that the present brave Directoress of the convents in Pakistan, Honorable Sister Riffat, faced. Instead, I suggested that she share her burden with someone well-versed in administrative matters. For this, I requested the Principal of Cadet College Hasan Abdal, who, as a former student of our founding Principal, the late Sister Pius Madden, was not only sympathetic but also promised his full support.
It is only education and the educators who make the real difference in the world, bringing enlightenment to the otherwise darkness of ignorance, intolerance, hatred, and bigotry. These are the elements that make the world unsafe, not only for parents but also for their children, who will bear the burden of carrying forward the legacy of our founding forefathers like Muhammed Ali Jinnah. He envisioned a country that was Islamic in its true sense, bringing peace to its citizens irrespective of their faith, color, ethnicity, caste, and creed, treating them equally as proud citizens of Pakistan.
