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Old Boys or Young Boys: The 1970s batch returns to their childhood
On the sunny afternoon of 14th October 2025, a small gathering in the mandir courtyard turned into a reunion of 19 Old Boys from the 1970s. Marked by nostalgia and camaraderie, the Old Boys, all distinguished individuals in their respective fields, revisited fond memories of scrimmaging in the sports grounds and sneaking out of campus and somewhat less fond memories of being called to the Principal’s Office (Mr Abdul Ali Khan) and caned as disciplinary action.
Mingling with our guests were Dr Turab Hussain (Principal) and Khalid Noon (Bursar), Old Boys themselves. Amongst our guests was Khawaja Ahmed Hassan (Board of Governors’ member) and Usman Haq (ACOBA President) whose presence further brought together the group. There were the likes of Iqbal Salahuddin, who came with a legacy of more than twenty Aitchisonians in his family and Aftab Alam, son of the revered teacher Huzur Alam, who devoted nearly four decades of his life to Aitchison and is remembered by countless students. His portrait is proudly displayed in the Teachers' Gallery, which was visited by all and it was a privilege to have his son stand amongst us. Familiar faces of mentors looked on from framed portraits, the very individuals who had once kindled the flame of learning in their students. Many Old Boys were moved to see the small red dots beside several portraits, signifying those who were no longer with us. The realization of their teachers' passing brought a profound sense of loss, mingled with gratitude for the lessons and values they had imparted.
Their journey continued to Langlands’ Room, where the memory of the legendary teacher Major Geoffrey Langlands lives on through his personal belongings and stories. Standing amidst his preserved possessions, his books, medals, and mementos, the Boys fondly recalled his unwavering discipline, wit, devotion to education and his unforgettable trekking trips.
The group also enjoyed visiting the well-preserved Archives; some searched eagerly through old prefect books and sports records, hoping to find their own names and achievements from their school days now proudly preserved in history. The guests were also given an exclusive preview of the 140 years anniversary celebration memorabilia. Launching in December 2025 as a fundraising initiative, this was highly appreciated by the Old Boys – some even immediately rushed to place preorders for their favourite products.
They also took great interest in the two publications, Commanding Success by F. S. Aijjazuddin and Reliving Aitchison by Zill Niazi, both by our distinguished Old Boys. The works were warmly received, with many guests expressing admiration and purchasing copies for their personal collections. The gathering ended on a lively note, the Old Boys departing with stomachs full of hot dogs, renewed bonds and of course, promises of sharing pictures. Their final words to Director Advancements: we’re waiting for the next gathering, good show!
Ready, Set, Go!; Walter A. Robinson Challenge Cup for Cross Country Race 2025–26
The Annual Walter A. Robinson Challenge Cup for Cross Country Race 2025–26 brought together the vibrant spirit of the Aitchison community as present and Old Boys converged on the Main Cricket Ground on the bright Saturday morning of 11th October 2025.
The race commenced at 9:00 am with a total of 209 runners, including 170 present students and 39 Old Boys, taking part. The championship featured five participation groups: four for Old Boys (Under-35, 35–45, 46–55, and Over-55) and one for Present Boys. The event witnessed an inspiring display of determination and camaraderie as participants took on the challenging 9.6 km course, with the Over-55 category completing a single-lap distance of approximately 4.7 km.
Among the highlights, Salar Saad Khan (H1H, Tajuddin House) delivered a record-breaking performance, finishing the course in an impressive 35 minutes and 07.60 seconds, surpassing his own previous best of 36 minutes and 11.80 seconds set in 2024. His exemplary feat earned him the Walter A. Robinson Challenge Cup for 2025–26. Among the Old Boys, Ahmad Mukhtar triumphed in the Under-35 category, while Shahrez Khan (35-45), Sardar Tariq Ahmad (46-55), and Akbar Zaman Khan (Over-55) emerged successful in their categories, embodying the infamous Aitchisonian athleticism.
The race concluded with a spirited medal and prize-giving ceremony presided over by Dr Turab Hussain (Principal) and Khalid Noon (Bursar), who lauded the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to sportsmanship. Medals were awarded to the top three runners in each category, while appreciation certificates were presented to the first ten Present Boys finishers and all participating Old Boys to acknowledge their time and efforts. A special recognition was also extended to Old Boys aged over 60 for their enduring athletic zeal.
For many Old Boys, this was a sports event permanently marked in their calendars and they returned year after year to attend. The race stood out as a joyful celebration of endurance, and Aitchisonian sportsmanship, a day that beautifully bridged generations and reaffirmed the school’s timeless and exceptional sportsmanship, and unity across generations of Aitchisonians.
Aitchison Represents Pakistan’s Legacy of Education & Heritage: International Ombudsman Institute
Aitchison College had the distinct honour of welcoming the regional delegation of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), on October 7, 2025. The visit offered the distinguished guests a glimpse into the College’s historic setting and its rich academic and cultural traditions. Comprising more than fifty experts from 18 countries across the world, the group represented the Ombudsman ethos of a global network committed to promoting fairness, transparency, and good governance globally. The delegation led by Ms Ayesha Hamid (Punjab Ombudsman) was warmly received by Dr Turab Hussain (Principal) and Faaria Salahuddin (Director Advancements), who addressed the guests and shared insights into Aitchison’s enduring legacy of excellence in education, character formation and the recently launched Aitchison College Scholarship Program (ACSP) aiming to enhance inclusivity in education.
The visit unfolded like a walk through time. Led by the Advancements Team and accompanied by College Leadership, from the Old Building to the Amphitheatre, the delegation admired the setting’s quiet grandeur. They continued to the Jaffar Memorial Complex, where Umer Zaman Khan (Director Sports), received them with a brief overview of Aitchison’s sporting achievements and the Olympians it has produced. The guests were in awe of the 19th century boarding houses where our Senior School students reside far from home for their education. It was a privilege to have Ms Fauzia Waqar (Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace) also join the group for the College tour. Each stop revealed another layer of the College’s character, a place where history, community, and modernity converge.
A special visit to the Archives and Teachers’ Gallery allowed delegates to explore the College’s evolution through artefacts, photographs, and documents reflecting the school’s distinguished history and services of its faculty over the years. The tour concluded with tea at the Old Building, where lively conversation flowed in a spirit of warmth and curiosity amongst the guests, colleagues and students.
The visit of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) delegation was a memorable occasion that celebrated shared values of integrity, service, and learning. It reaffirmed Aitchison College’s standing as an institution where history, education, and global engagement come together in harmony.
An Exchange on Academia, Tech and Teaching with University of South Asia
Led by our Old Boy (1976) Imran Masood (Vice Chancellor USA), a delegation from the University of South Asia comprising senior faculty members visited Aitchison College on October 1st, 2025. The discussion was spearheaded by Dr Turab Hussain (Principal), with Faaria Salahuddin (Director Advancements), Tina Hameed (Director Teaching and Learning Centre) and Omer Mubbasher (Training Manager TLC) providing key insights into areas of academic interest, such as the impact of AI on education and the necessity of fostering individual creative expression in students.
Additionally, the emphasis was on the vision of the recently established Teaching & Learning Centre (TLC) and their work in Aitchison, particularly the institution of Professional Development Policy & Career Trajectories and the significance of Continuous Professional Development in ensuring teachers are equipped with up-to-date techniques and knowledge. Various interventions have been offered by TLC like Professional Reading Circles (PRC), Observe 2 Grow (O2G) etc. which serve as a model to be emulated for other faculty development programs in schools and universities alike. Channeling the spirit of collaboration, TLC offered to run training sessions for the faculty of USA to help them engage with Professional Literature.
The discussion was followed by an immersion in the history of the College via the Archive Display Centre and a guided tour of the campus, offering the delegation an overview of Aitchison’s academic environment, facilities, and traditions.
Old Boys: The Backbone of the Aitchison College Scholarship Program (ACSP)
Hosted by Dr Turab Hussain (Principal) and Faaria Salahuddin (Director Advancements), a group of Old Boys and Class Champions for the fundraising drive, visited the Advancements Lounge in the mandir on 29th August 2025. The occasion was to personally hand deliver their cheques for the Aitchison College Scholarship Program (ASCP) to the Principal and celebrate the launch of an initiative that promotes equitable access in education. Those in attendance included Imran Tajammul, Shaukat Elahi, Sohail Kabir, Umar Ata Bandial, Arif Saeed, Usman Malik, Mahmud Yar Hiraj and Qaisar Jamali (Special Envoy - Outreach and Alumni).
Their support has strengthened the College’s ability to provide access to quality education for academically talented but underprivileged students, fostering inclusion by bridging regional divides and promoting social mobility through world-class learning opportunities.
However, the visit was not merely to congregate for the ACSP cause, but also a chance to relive their school days and share stories over the classic Dean’s hot dogs at the College canteen. With the beautiful view of Cypress Avenue and the majestic Old Building, it was an atmosphere filled with laughter and nostalgia.
The College extends its heartfelt gratitude to the visiting Old Boys for their generosity and enduring commitment to Aitchison’s mission of service and excellence. Their support ensures that the spirit of opportunity and learning extends to all, without discrimination.
For further information on the ACSP, please visit the Fundraising section of the Alumni Portal.
Iqbal Salahuddin (Old Boy) Welcomes A New Generation of Leaders at Aitchison College
On 13th-14th August 2025, Aitchison College had the pleasure of welcoming back our very own Old Boy, Iqbal Salahuddin. He returned to campus as a motivational guest speaker for the Leadership Camp and his visit was a moving journey of reflection, inspiration, and renewed connection with the institution that shaped his early years.
He began the afternoon at the Teachers’ Gallery in the Advancements Lounge, where memories came flooding back as he paused before familiar faces who had once guided him during his student life at Aitchison. From there, he made his way to the Langlands Room, a space honouring the unmatched legacy of Mr. G. D. Langlands. Standing among the relics of a remarkable life dedicated to teaching, he spoke fondly of the lessons and discipline that defined an era.
Later, he strolled with students in front of Barry Block, sharing anecdotes from his own school days and reflecting on the values that Aitchison instilled in him. His address to the Leadership Council was both heartfelt and thought-provoking, drawing upon Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of leadership and encouraging students to lead with vision, character, and humility.
This was followed by a dinner at Godley House alongside the Principal, Heads, and student leaders. The next day, a warm tea gathering with the families of the Leadership Council marked the Concluding Ceremony. As the sun set over the familiar campus, there was a quiet sense of belonging that only home can bring.
In his parting words, he beautifully captured the spirit of the day: “You can leave Aitchison, but Aitchison never leaves you.”
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Visits Aitchison
The Advancements Office was privileged to host representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN on 21st July 2025. The organisation leads international efforts to alleviate food insecurity and promote sustainable agriculture. Hosted by Faaria Salahuddin (Director Advancements), the meeting featured the outgoing Head of FAO in Pakistan, Florence Rolle and the incoming representative, Amina Asif Bajwa. Rolle has worked on several key issues afflicting Pakistan, from efforts to expand safe food access for all to climate-responsive forestry management initiatives. We hope to see further development on these fronts in Bajwa’s upcoming FAO tenure, who brings her expertise in agriculture policy and governance reforms to the table. A lively discussion was followed by a tour of the campus led by the Director, where our guests were particularly enamoured by the architecture and history of the Old Building.
Rebuilding the Aitchison Archive Space: Ways Forward
The Advancements Office convened on 19th June 2025 to assess the current state of the Aitchison Archives and devise the plan of action for its improvement. Hosted by Faaria Salahuddin (Director Advancements) and Dr Turab Hussain (Principal), the meeting brought together Dr Tahir Kamran, Dr Adnan Tariq, Dr Hamza Aasim Yusuf (Old Boy), Mr Hussain Ahmad Khan, Dr Tarunjit Singh Butalia, and Muhammad Asif (Archives Dept). Dr Tahir Kamran, a prominent historian and columnist, has done remarkable work in archive preservation, notably his collaboration with the Walled City of Lahore Authority to conserve and digitalise historic content at Lahore Fort. His expertise was thus crucial in Aitchison’s long term objective of comprehensive data digitalisation of the Archives.
The guests were taken on a walk-through of the College’s display centres and storage unit. Subsequently, led by Dr Tahir Kamran, discussions centred on means to ensure the longevity of the archival collection. His recommendations included the procurement of archival storage boxes, the installation of dehumidifiers and maintenance of optimal lighting conditions to safeguard sensitive materials. He additionally suggested streamlining the digitalisation process through getting assistance in scanning and preservation of archival data. While the Aitchison Archives are rich in material, greater emphasis has to be placed on ensuring the longevity of the archival collection. Implementing these actions will be a major step towards modernizing Aitchison’s systems to ensure preservation of the institution’s valuable historical assets.
Forging Friendships: Aitchison Hosts the Chinese Consulate Lahore
Aitchison College had the honour of hosting the delegation of the Chinese Consulate Lahore on 5th June 2025. Leading the Chinese Consulate was Mr Cao Ke (Deputy Consul General) and Mr Li Haoteng (Director Political & Press Office), with Dr Turab Hussain (Principal), Khalid Noon (Bursar), Faaria Salahuddin (Director Advancements), Raja Ashfaq (Headmaster Prep School), and Sarah Liu (Chinese Language Teacher) as Aitchison’s representatives.
The discussion explored various avenues of educational and cultural collaboration, such as the expansion of Mandarin language classes to all schools in Aitchison with the practical support of the Consulate. The aim was to enhance the academic and professional opportunities available to Pakistani students in China, and to engage in direct partnerships with Chinese schools and universities to facilitate this. A focus was placed on immersive learning and community building, specifically through personal engagement such as partaking in Chinese cultural activities like fairs and films. Art and culture was further emphasised through gifts of books focusing on Chinese culture, history and governance.
Moreover, the Consulate was committed to creating meaningful in-roads with the Embassy of China, Pakistan, and in facilitating visa processing for students and faculty for school trips and student exchange programmes.
Introducing Faaria Rehman Salahuddin as the Founding Director of the Advancements Office
We are delighted to introduce Ms. Faaria Rehman Salahuddin who has joined Aitchison College as the Founding Director of the Advancements Office. The Advancements Office at Aitchison will be responsible for Alumni and Donor relations, Fundraising, Marketing and Communications and Strategic Partnerships. Ms. Salahuddin comes with a wealth of experience in the education and corporate sector and we look forward to her contribution to Aitchison College.
We welcome her on board and wish her all the success. Her brief bio is given below:
Faaria Rehman Salahuddin is the Founding Director of the Advancements Office. Advancements at Aitchison is responsible for Alumni Relations, Fundraising, Institutional Marketing & Communications and Strategic Partnerships.
Ms Salahuddin is a c-level professional with over 28 years of diversified experience across banking, academia, and entrepreneurship. Her career spans leadership roles at leading institutions including ANZ Grindlays, Standard Chartered Bank, Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Bank Alfalah Limited, and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). More recently, she has combined her corporate expertise with her entrepreneurial spirit as the owner and manager of a heritage boutique homestay in Lahore.
Faaria specializes in organizational transformation, with a proven record of driving turnarounds through strategic realignment and cross-functional synergy. Her extensive experience in both corporate and retail banking—across operational and credit management domains—enables her to bridge functional divides within organizations. She is recognized for fostering cohesive teams, reshaping organizational culture, and inspiring innovation and creativity.
Currently, Faaria serves as Director Advancements at Aitchison College, Lahore, while also providing consultancy services to a range of individuals, institutions, and business ventures. She serves on the Boards of Directors of Avanceon Ltd (<a href="https://www.avanceon.ae" target="_blank">www.avanceon.ae</a>), JazzCash Pvt Ltd (<a href="https://www.jazzcash.com.pk" target="_blank">www.jazzcash.com.pk</a>), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (<a href="https://www.sngpl.com.pk" target="_blank">www.sngpl.com.pk</a>), Dubai Islamic Bank (<a href="https://www.dibpak.com" target="_blank">www.dibpak.com</a>), and Ellcot Spinning Mills (Nagina Group) (<a href="https://www.nagina.com" target="_blank">www.nagina.com</a>). In addition, she serves as a Member of the Financial Aid Committee at LUMS (<a href="https://www.lums.edu.pk" target="_blank">www.lums.edu.pk</a>), and as an Advisor to both the Lahore Biennale Foundation (<a href="https://www.lahorebiennale.org" target="_blank">www.lahorebiennale.org</a>) and the Walled City of Lahore Authority (<a href="https://www.walledcitylahore.gop.pk" target="_blank">www.walledcitylahore.gop.pk</a>).
Faaria holds an MBA from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and was awarded the Rotary International GSE Professional Scholarship to Bavaria, Germany. Over the years, she has also held strategic advisory and board positions with different organizations.