Army Burn Hall College diamond jubilee celebrations conclude

ABBOTTABAD: The three-day Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Army Burn Hall College, Abbottabad, concluded here on Sunday.

The Army Burn Hall College celebrated 75 years of its history with compiling history book, launching postal ticket and holding a grand reunion of the college alumni consisting of prominent personalities.

Former National Assembly Speaker Gohar Ayub Khan, being college alumni, was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony. He formally launched the history book while a number of senior citizens, including Muzaffar Mehmood Qureshi, Munir Hafiz, Muhammad Ali, Umar Ayub Khan and others attended the ceremony.

The Burn Hall School was established by Mill Hill Fathers from St. Joseph’s Society, the Catholic Missionaries, in Srinagar, the summer capital of State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1943. The school was formally inaugurated by the then chief minister Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan on April 25, 1948.

Owing to increasing strength of students, a new campus of Senior Burn Hall (now Army Burn Hall College for Boys) was established in 1956. The Fathers handed over these colleges to Pakistan Army in 1977. Thousands of students received education in these institutions and many rose to the highest pedestal of success in their careers.

Ex-Hallians started arriving at the college on Saturday afternoon and look of sheer happiness on their faces, after seeing their alma mater, was priceless. They paid rich tributes to the college administration and appreciated efforts towards revival of college, improvement in academic standards, and the renovation of college.

A sumptuous dinner was arranged for the alumni while melodious music was another feature presented on the occasion.After the morning assembly, sports competitions were held between college faculty and alumni. Recently compiled history book was distributed among the alumni.

Cake cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the occasion. Group photos were taken to capture the precious moments so they might be cherished forever. Afterwards, alumni were served with lunch. Alumni Council held a meeting in the Scanlon Hall to discuss the modalities of future activities.

Ex-Hallians went their own ways with sweet memories of the reunion and a refreshed image of their alma mater.Principal Army Burn Hall College for Boys Brig. Wajid Qayyum Paracha and Col Manzoor Ahmad Abbasi throughout the gala were seen receiving and facilitating the guests.

Wajid Qayyum Paracha paid rich tributes to the alumni and congratulated all the guests on celebrating the diamond jubilee of the college.He said that journey of over seven decades was characterised by unparalleled achievements.