PESHAWAR, July 14: The historic Islamia College, Peshawar has completed 100 years of its grandeur and academic excellence.

Taking admission to this great seat of learning founded in 1913 is the dream of every student from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal areas.

When retired bureaucrats Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan and Roose Keppel visited Aligarh Muslim University in 1909, some students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requested them to either build a separate hostel for them there or set up a similar educational institution in Peshawar as a relief from homesickness.

The Aligahrians also donated money for the purpose.

On return to Peshawar, the two began a campaign to raise money to realise the proposal.

Major business tycoon from the city Karim Bakhsh Sethi, Abdul Karim Khan and Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan donated Rs50,000, Rs10,000 and Rs1,000 respectively.

The ruler of Dir State contributed Rs125,000 in addition to 400 trees, while several tribal elders and noted religious scholars donated cash for the purpose.

Maulana Fazal Wahid fondly remembered when Haji Saib of Turanzai laid the foundation of the college’s mosque.

The current magnificent building of the college was constructed over 916 kanals and 17 marlas of land. The college opened admissions on October 1, 1913.

Late Sahibzada Khurshid Khan was the college’s first student registered. He later became the governor of the province.

The number of students swelled to 33 near the end of the year. The college had 10 members of the faculty, one clerk, one accountant, and two hostels named Qayyum Manzil and Hardinge.

Now, the college with the status of a charted university has 12 hostels, 300 teaching staff and 18,000 students both men and women.

The historic educational institution has produced numerous talented people in almost every field.

With vice chancellor Ajmal Khan in the captivity of militants for long and some administrative issues, the college administration has launched the celebrations, which will end in October this year with a grand event.

It is time for teachers and students of Islamia College, Peshawar and stakeholders to come up with a comprehensive plan to revive the past glorious traditions of the historic institution and mark its centenary in a befitting manner.

The celebrations should focus on deep thinking on what steps should be taken to resolve the issues faced by the college.

Not only the college has academic excellence but also, it is the national heritage.

The old Islamians, including scholars, intellectuals and dignitaries, should also give time to find solution to the turbulent situation this region has plunged into over the few decades.