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Abbottabad

Coordinates: 34°9′21″N 73°13′10″E / 34.15583°N 73.21944°E / 34.15583; 73.21944
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Abbottabad
ایبٹ آباد
City


From top, left to right:
 City view, Mushkpuri top, view of Abbottabad from Shimla Hill
Abbottabad is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Location within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
Abbottabad is located in Pakistan
Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Location within Pakistan
Abbottabad is located in Asia
Abbottabad
Abbottabad
Location within Asia
Coordinates: 34°9′21″N 73°13′10″E / 34.15583°N 73.21944°E / 34.15583; 73.21944
Country Pakistan
Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
DivisionHazara
DistrictAbbottabad
Founded1863
Government
[3]
 • BodyDistrict Government
 • MayorShuja Nabi[1] (PTI)
 • Deputy CommissionerKhalid Iqbal[2]
Elevation
1,256 m (4,121 ft)
Population
 (2023)[4]
 • City275,890
 • Rank40th, Pakistan; 4th, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
 Abbottabad Cantonment: 138,311
Abbottabad Municipal Committee: 107,369
DemonymAbbottabadi
Time zoneUTC+5 (PKT)
Calling code0992
Number of Union Councils6[5]
Websitedga.com.pk

Abbottabad (/ˈæbətəbɑːd/ AB-ə-tə-bahd; Urdu and Hindko: ایبٹ آباد, romanized: aibṭabād, pronounced [ɛːbʈəˈbaːd]) is a city in the Hazara Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan. It is the 40th largest city in the country and 6th largest in the province by population, and serves as the headquarter of its namesake tehsil and district. It is about 120 km (75 mi) north of Islamabad-Rawalpindi and 150 km (95 mi) east of Peshawar, at an elevation of 1,256 m (4,121 ft). Kashmir lies a short distance to the east.

Etymology

The name combines the name of the city founder, Major James Abbott, and the Persian ending ābād, meaning "settlement, town of".

History

Following the Second Anglo-Sikh War, The British annexed the entire Punjab region up to Peshawar. Abbottabad was founded in the early 1850s, by a British military officer in the Bengal Army of the British Raj, James Abbott, and replaced Haripur as Hazara's capital.

On 9 November 1901, the British established a North-West Frontier Province from the north-western districts of The Punjab. This meant that Abbottabad was now a part of the newly formed province.

Following the Announcement of Partition of the British Raj into the Dominion of Pakistan and the Dominion of India, a referendum was held in the NWFP and the result was in favor of Pakistan. In 1955, Abbottabad and the whole NWFP became a part of West Pakistan, but the province was established again in 1970, and Hazara District and the two tribal agencies were merged to form the new Hazara Division with its capital at Abbottabad.

Osama bin Laden, founder of the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda, held refuge at a compound in Abbottabad, where he was shot and killed by U.S. forces on 2 May 2011.

Established in 1947, Abbottabad houses the Pakistan Army's initial officer training academy, the Pakistan Military Academy, referred to by its acronym, PMA.

The Rock Aornos from Huzara. From Nature by James Abbott 1850

Abbottabad was founded and named after Major James Abbott in January 1853 as the headquarters of Hazara District during the British Raj after the annexation of Punjab.[6] He remained the first Deputy Commissioner of the Hazara district from 1845 until April 1853. Major Abbott is noted for having written a poem titled "Abbottabad", before his return to Britain, in which he wrote of his fondness for the town and his sadness at having to leave it. In 1849, Major Abbott, a Deputy Commissioner appointed by the British East Company, shifted Hazara Gojaran's headquarter from Haripur Gojaran to the newly established Abbottabad.

In the early 20th century, Abbottabad became an important military cantonment and sanatorium, serving as the headquarters of a brigade in the Second Division of the Northern Army Corps.[7] The garrison consisted of four battalions of native infantry, of the Frontier Force (including the 5th Gurkha Rifles) and two native mountain batteries.[8]

A sunset scene in Abbottabad

In 1901, the population of the town and cantonment was 7,764 with an average income of Rs. 14,900.[7] This increased to Rs. 22,300 in 1903, chiefly derived from octroi. During this time chief public institutions were built such as the Albert Victor Unaided Anglo-Vernacular High School, the Municipal Anglo-Vernacular High School and the government dispensary.[8] In 1911, the population had risen to 11,506 and the town contained four battalions of Gurkhas.[9] In June 1948, the British Red Cross opened a hospital in Abbottabad to deal with thousands of injured people being brought in from Kashmir.[10]

October 2005 earthquake

Main article: 2005 Kashmir earthquake

In October 2005, Abbottabad was devastated by the Kashmir earthquake. Although most of Abbottabad survived, many older buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.[11]

Recent events

On 25 January 2011, Indonesian terrorist Umar Patek was arrested in Abbottabad. Patek, a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist group, was wanted in connection with a deadly series of church bombings in Indonesia in 2000, and three attacks that killed 202 people in tourist districts of Indonesia in what became known as the Bali bombings.[12][13]

Osama bin Laden's hideout

Main article: Killing of Osama bin Laden

On 2 May 2011, Abbottabad gained worldwide attention when U.S. President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed in his compound in the city.[14][15] In February 2012, nine months after bin Laden was killed, Pakistani authorities demolished the compound where Osama bin Laden had lived.[16][17]

Demography

Religious groups in Abbottabad City (1881−2017)[a]
Religious
group 		1881[19][20][21] 1901[22][23] 1911[24][25] 1921[26][27] 1931[28] 1941[18] 2017[29]
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Hinduism [b] 2,151 51.35% 4,438 57.16% 6,828 59.34% 7,346 53.94% 7,753 47.96% 11,886 43.34% 57 0.02%
Islam 1,649 39.37% 2,904 37.4% 3,729 32.41% 5,007 36.76% 7,026 43.46% 12,192 44.46% 243,665 99.18%
Sikhism 306 7.3% 329 4.24% 785 6.82% 879 6.45% 1,039 6.43% 2,680 9.77% — —
Jainism 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% — — — —
Christianity — — 93 1.2% 164 1.43% 388 2.85% 346 2.14% 298 1.09% 1,811 0.74%
Zoroastrianism — — 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 1 0.01% 0 0% — —
Judaism — — 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% — —
Buddhism — — 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% — — — —
Ahmadiyya — — — — — — — — — — — — 45 0.02%
Others 83 1.98% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 368 1.34% 92 0.04%
Total population 4,189 100% 7,764 100% 11,506 100% 13,620 100% 16,165 100% 27,424 100% 245,670 100%

Topography

Abbottabad is in the Orash Valley lying between 34°92′N latitude and 73°13′E longitude at an altitude of 1,256 m (4,121 ft). To the north is the picturesque Kaghan Valley.[6]

Climate

Abbottabad has a humid subtropical climate, with mild to warm temperatures during the spring and autumn months, hot temperatures during June and July, and cool to mild temperatures during the winter. The temperature can rise as high as 38 °C (100 °F) during the mid-summer months and drop below −5 °C (23 °F) during the extreme cold waves. Snowfall occurs occasionally in December and January, though it is sparse, while heavy rainfall occurs during the monsoon season stretching from July to September and frequently cause flooding in lower lying parts of the city.

Climate data for Abbottabad
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 12.7
(54.9) 		14.5
(58.1) 		19.2
(66.6) 		24.0
(75.2) 		29.1
(84.4) 		33.7
(92.7) 		30.8
(87.4) 		28.9
(84.0) 		28.6
(83.5) 		25.7
(78.3) 		20.5
(68.9) 		15.5
(59.9) 		23.6
(74.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 7.5
(45.5) 		9.3
(48.7) 		13.6
(56.5) 		18.1
(64.6) 		22.8
(73.0) 		27.3
(81.1) 		25.8
(78.4) 		24.4
(75.9) 		23.2
(73.8) 		19.3
(66.7) 		14.3
(57.7) 		10.0
(50.0) 		18.0
(64.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.4
(36.3) 		4.1
(39.4) 		8.1
(46.6) 		12.3
(54.1) 		16.5
(61.7) 		21.0
(69.8) 		20.9
(69.6) 		20.0
(68.0) 		17.8
(64.0) 		13.0
(55.4) 		8.1
(46.6) 		4.5
(40.1) 		12.4
(54.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 77
(3.0) 		104
(4.1) 		123
(4.8) 		99
(3.9) 		69
(2.7) 		76
(3.0) 		252
(9.9) 		244
(9.6) 		98
(3.9) 		43
(1.7) 		29
(1.1) 		48
(1.9) 		1,262
(49.6)
Source: Climate-Data.org[30]

Tourism

Sajikot Waterfall
Miranjani from Nathia Gali

Abbottabad has been attracting tourists to the city since the colonial era, as it is a major transit point to all major tourist regions of Pakistan such as Nathiagali, Ayubia and Naran. According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India, "the town is picturesquely situated at the southern corner of the Rash (Orash) plain, 1,256 m (4,121 ft) above the sea".[8]

The Karakoram Highway, which traces one of the paths of the ancient Silk Road, starts from Hasan Abdal on the N5 and heads north passing through the city, eventually reaching Khunjerab Pass. The Karakorum Highway is a major attraction itself for its views. The Karakoram, Himalayas and the Hindu Kush ranges can be approached from Abbottabad, and it continues to be a transit city for tourists, serving as a base for visiting nearby places, such as Hunza, Gilgit, Skardu and Indus Kohistan, of the Karakoram Range.[31]

There was an influx of migrants from Azad Kashmir after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, another from the Swat District during military operations against militants in 2009 and 2010, and from Waziristan after the army launched major operations against the Taliban in 2009.[32] A £19M amusement park is under construction in the city on a 20-hectare (50-acre) site; it includes a zoo, adventure sports facilities, restaurants and artificial waterfalls.[33]

Education

Main article: List of educational institutions in Abbottabad
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology
Jalal Baba Auditorium

Abbottabad has a very healthy literacy rate approximately 56% on an average.[34] The city has a young demographic (ages 15–30) due to the large number of students who have come from across the country to study in its schools, for example PIPS, Army Burn Hall College, Army Public College Kakul and Abbottabad Public School.

The city has a wide variety of post-secondary institutions, such as Ayub Medical College, Frontier Medical College, COMSATS University of Science and Technology, and the University of Engineering & Technology.

Abbottabad is home to the Pakistan Military Academy, a coeducational federal service military academy that provides training to the officers of the Pakistan Army.[35] The academy has three training battalions and 12 companies. Another 2,000 guests each year, from over 34 countries, receive some training at PMA.

According to the Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings 2014, Abbottabad is ranked 37 out of 146 districts in Pakistan in the quality of education. For facilities and infrastructure, the district is ranked 67 out of 146. [36] A detailed picture of the district's education performance is available online. [37]

Media

Kay 2 TV is a local Hindko-language channel. Daily newspapers include Roznama AAJ, Roznama Shamal, Kay 2 Times, Roznama Pine, Weekly Manzar, Daily Mahasib and the Hindko newspaper Chaita.

Sports

The Abbottabad Falcons was the professional cricket team of Abbottabad who played in the national Twenty20 and List A cricket tournaments. Sports facilities in the city include:

Transportation

Abbottabad's main public transport consists of modified taxis.

Abbottabad is also served by Daewoo Express and Niazi Express, the NATCO, Skyways and other bus services.

The nearest railway station is in Havelian, which is the last and most northern station on the Pakistan Railways network. The station is approximately thirty minutes drive south from Abbottabad city centre.

Notes

  1. ^ 1881-1941: Data for the entirety of the town of Abbottabad, which included Abbottabad Municipality and Abbottabad Cantonment.[18]: 19 
  2. ^ 1931-1941: Including Ad-Dharmis

References

  1. ^ "PTI wins Abbottabad mayor slot". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Preparations underway for general elections in Abbottabad". Pakistan Observer. 6 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  3. ^ Abbottabad District Government
  4. ^ "POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD DETAIL FROM BLOCK TO DISTRICT LEVEL: KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA (ABBOTTABAD DISTRICT)" (PDF). Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 3 January 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  5. ^ "URL accessed 5 April 2006". Nrb.gov.pk. 28 October 2005. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Abbottabad". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. I: A-Ak – Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2010. pp. 13. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
  7. ^ a b Abbottabad – Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition
  8. ^ a b c "Abbottabad Town – Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 5, p. 1". Dsal.uchicago.edu. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  9. ^ "The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir, by Sir James McCrone Douie". Gutenberg.org. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  10. ^ "Partition of India and Pakistan 1947 – British Red Cross". Redcross.org.uk. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  11. ^ "Doctor's diary". BBC News. 14 October 2005. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Bali bombing suspect Umar Patek 'arrested in Pakistan'". BBC News online. 30 September 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Militant's road ends in Pakistan". Dawn (newspaper). 15 April 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  14. ^ L. Meckler, A. Entous and Z. Hussain (1 May 2011). "U.S. Forces Kill Osama bin Laden Obama Says Sept. 11 Attacks Avenged in Commando Assault on Pakistani Compound; Body of Terror Mastermind Captured". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  15. ^ Adams, Richard; Walsh, Declan; MacAskill, Ewen (2 May 2011). "Osama bin Laden is dead, Obama announces". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on 2 May 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  16. ^ Gordts, Eline (27 February 2012). "Osama Bin Laden's House in Abbottabad Destroyed". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  17. ^ Meredith Melnick (4 May 2011). "Abbottabad, a Hotspot for Medical Care". Time. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  18. ^ a b India Census Commissioner (1941). "Census of India, 1941. Vol. 10, North-West Frontier Province". p. 19. JSTOR saoa.crl.28215543. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. I." 1881. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057656. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. II". 1881. p. 520. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057657. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Census of India, 1881 Report on the Census of the Panjáb Taken on the 17th of February 1881, vol. III". 1881. p. 250. JSTOR saoa.crl.25057658. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Census of India 1901. Vol. 1A, India. Pt. 2, Tables". 1901. p. 44. JSTOR saoa.crl.25352838. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Census of India 1901. [Vol. 17A]. Imperial tables, I-VIII, X-XV, XVII and XVIII for the Punjab, with the native states under the political control of the Punjab Government, and for the North-west Frontier Province". 1901. p. 26. JSTOR saoa.crl.25363739. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  24. ^ Edward Albert Gait, Sir; India Census Commissioner (1911). "Census of India, 1911. Vol. 1., Pt. 2, Tables". Calcutta, Supt. Govt. Print., India, 1913. p. 23. JSTOR saoa.crl.25393779. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Census of India 1911. Vol. 13, North-west Frontier Province : part I, Report; part II, Tables". 1911. p. 302. JSTOR saoa.crl.25394102. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Census of India 1921. Vol. 1, India. Pt. 2, Tables". 1921. p. 25. JSTOR saoa.crl.25394121. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Census of India 1921. Vol. 14, North-west Frontier Province : part I, Report; part II, Tables". 1921. p. 340. JSTOR saoa.crl.25430163. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  28. ^ Mallam, G. L.; Dundas, A. D. F. (1931). "Census of India, 1931, vol. XV. North-west frontier province. Part I-Report. Part II-Tables". Peshawar, Printed by the manager, Government stationery and printing, 1933. p. 257. JSTOR saoa.crl.25793233. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Final Results (Census-2017)". Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  30. ^ "Climate: Abbottabad - Climate-Data.org". Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Profile of Abbottabad". Archived from the original on 21 January 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  32. ^ "Hopes for bumper tourist season in Abbottabad". Dawn (newspaper). 15 May 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  33. ^ "Bin Laden Town Abbottabad Plans Theme Park". Sky News.
  34. ^ "Literacy rate of Abbottabad".
  35. ^ "Pakistan Military Academy – Cadets Training". Pakistanarmy.gov.pk. 25 January 1948. Archived from the original on 7 May 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Alif Ailaan Pakistan District Education Rankings, 2014" (PDF). Alif Ailaan. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  37. ^ "Individual district profile link, 2014" (PDF). Alif Ailaan. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Abbottabad".
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Abbottabad.


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