Photos of Abbottabad.
Editor’s Note: Rare black & white photos of Abbottabad of British Raj era dating back to 1860s are in the last portion of this page.
Major James Abbott
Abbottabad, the capital of the Abbottabad District, is located in the Hazara region of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The city is situated in the Orash Valley, 50 km from Islamabad and 150 km from Peshawar at an altitude of 1,260 metres (4,134 ft). The city is well-known throughout Pakistan for its pleasant weather, high-standard educational institutions and military establishments. Pakistan Military Academy is also located here.
Brief History: The town of Abbottabad, under the British Raj, was the headquarters of the Hazara District. It was named after Major James Abbott who founded Abbottabad in January 1853 after the annexation of Punjab. He remained the first Deputy Commissioner of the Hazara district from 1849 until April 1853.
In 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. In February 2012, Pakistani authorities demolished the compound.
City of Abbottabad at Night
A Night View of Abbottabad City
Another Beautiful View of Abbottabad City at Night with Snow Covered Mountains at the Background
An Aerial View of Abbottabad City and Valley
Another Aerial View of Abbottabad Valley
Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, Abbottabad
PMA, 3rd Pakistan Battalion, Tobe Camp Kakul – 1972. Photo taken by Maj Farooq Rana in 1972.
PMA Drill Square at Kakul, Abbottabad
Passing Out Parade at PMA, Kakul, Abbottabad
PMA Gymnasium, Kakul, Abbottabad
A Road in Abbottabad
Hill Behind Baloch Centre, Abbottabad. The slogan “Ghazi ya Shaheed, Home of Balochis” written on the hill.
Ilyasi Mosque, Abbottabad. Ilyasi Mosque was built in 1932 on a natural spring. It was initially built on a smaller piece of land but now it is spread over five kanals. People throng this historical mosque to see its beautiful structure, drink the water of the stream and enjoy the yummy pakoras and tasty fish from a nearby hotel. This place has become a sort of picnic spot for the locals and the visitors from other cities.
Natural Fountain of Ilyasi Mosque, Abbottabad. This is the Natural Fountain of Ilyasi Masjid. Back in the 1960s it was a natural pool which had lot of fish.
Panoramic View of Ilyasi Mosque, Abbottabad
An Old Photo of Ilyasi Mosque, Nawan Shehr, Abbottabad
Mona Lisa Restaurant, Abbottabad
Commissioner’s House, Abbottabad
Town Hall, inside Municipal Gardens, Abbottabad
Jalal Baba Auditorium. Jalal Baba auditorium, located in the cantonment area of Abbottabad, was built in 1993. The building complex consists of an auditorium that can hold up to 500-700 people, a public library, Abbasin Arts Council, Abbottabad Development Authority, a computer literacy department and a National Book Foundation Centre. It also has a Karate Club.
Ghora Chowk (Horse Intersection), Abbottabad
Abbottabad Cricket Ground
Pakistan Uzbekistan Friendship House, Prince Bokhara’s Palace, Abbottabad
Saint Luke’s Church, Abbottabad
Another Photo of Saint Luke’s Church, Abbottabad
Swiss Villa of the pastor of Saint Luke’s Church, Abbottabad. This Swiss Villa was built in 1860. One can also see the endangered Labanese cedar trees in the photo.
Historic Villa of Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Sahib, near District Jail, Abbottabad. Photo by Environmentalist.
Front View of District Jail, Abbottabad. Photo by Environmentalist.
19th Century Bungalow of Civil Surgeon of Hazara, Civil Lines, Abbottabad. Please see black stone masonry, lime mortar, bay windows, dormer windows, unique roof and chiseled stone chimney of this old building. Works Department had declared it “dangerous” since many years and it must have been demolished by now. Photo by Environmentalist.
U.S. Helicopter in Osama Bin Laden’s Compound, Abbottabad
Osama Bin laden Compound, Abbottabad–02 May 2011
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbotabad. Photo by Majid Iqbal Wiki.
Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad
Garden of Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad
Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad
Army Burn Hall College for Boys, Abbottabad
An Aerial View of Army Burn Hall College for Boys, Abbottabad
Abbottabad Public School
BISE (Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education), Abbottabad
Pine Hills Public School
Forest Rest House at Thandiani, Abbottabad. Photo by SaffyH – Uploading Iceland Photo’s. Thandiani, a hill station (Height: about 9000 feet), is located 31 kilometres from Abbottabad city. Here a Sanatorium and various other facilities were set up during the British rule, mostly for the convenience of missionaries, Anglican church personnel and officers stationed at Abbottabad cantonment. It also contained some private European houses, a camping ground, a small bazaar, and the small church of St Xavier.
Saint Xavier Church, Thandiani, Abbottabad, Pakistan
Dilapidated Condition of Saint Xavier Church at Thandiani, Abbottabad
Dagri Bungalow Rest House. Bungalow Rest House is located in the suburbs of Kutli, a Mohallah of Phalkot in Abbottabad. The elevation of Dagri Bungalow is about 8,923 feet (2,720 meters) above sea level. The actual name of the place is Dagri Nakka which literally means “The Lion’s Den”. The Bungalow was constructed by the British Government for the residence of Security Officials who looked after the forests of the Galliat. After the Partition it was handed over to the Ministry of Forests, Government of Pakistan. The Forest Ministry tried to preserve the building was badly damaged in the 2005 earthquake and now it is on the verge of destruction, it could rightly be called a haunted house. Pic by Moon Avaan.
A Bridge near Havelian, Abbottabad
Abbottabad in 1970. Tonga going towards Mona Lisa Restaurant and Lady Gordon’s Garden. Just observe that there are no vehicles on the road and the clump of trees have lined the road. Photo taken from outside the MES Office. Photo by Environmentalist.
Polo Ground of FF Regiment at Abbottabad, 1938
An Old Photo of Cantt Bazar, Abbottabad
An Old Photo of Abbottabad – 1930. Photo by Environmentalist.
An Old Photo of Abbottabad City, 1880-90
Another Old Photo of Abbottabad
An old View of Abbottabad, 1892
A Bungalow at Abbottabad in 1880s. Photo by richardasplen.
A Very Rare Photo of Abbottabad
Photos of Abbottabad: Rare Photo of Main Bazar, Abbottabad in 1875
Photos of Abbottabad: An English Bungalow at Abbottabad, 1875
Photos of Abbottabad: General View of Abbottabad Valley in 1860s
Photos of Abbottabad – Sketch of Abbottabad Valley, 1860s. It is the sketch of above photo.
Photos of Abbottabad – Valley of Abbottabad in 1865
Photos of Abbottabad ; Captain Mackenzie’s House at Abbottabad- 1865
Photos of Abbottabad: A Rare photo of Abbottabad in 1863
Related Page:
Photos of KPK
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Visitors of this site can send their photos of Abbottabad to Editor at: nativepakistan@gmail.com
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Couplets from my poem:-
Alas town’s face has faded away,
Concrete and steel now hold sway.
Oh Abbottabad wont find again,
when your dwellers prefer bargain.
I visited this heavenly city in 1987 for the first time. It was a cool and captivating town then. But now it’s a big and congested city. lt has lost its beauty to urbanisation and business. Can anyone save the beauty of this city? But I still love this place. Mmm
I was settled in Abbottabad from Dera ISmail Khan in 1991 and been fortunate to witness Abbottabad’s beauty. I personally love this heavenly beautiful city that’s why I’ve spent my 25 prime years here.
Unfortunately after Earthquake 2005; a boom of urbanization arrived and unplanned civil structures, encroachments, unplanned inhibition in terms of new townships and colonies, deforestation, commercial mindset and arrivals, etc just started defacing this beautiful piece of heaven and above all; military expansions on the name of security took a major portion of attraction from Abbottabad but I yet love Abbottabad especially for its beauty in fall season leaving yellow pale leaves everywhere …..
Nice place. Miss you Pakistan!
I was born in Abbottabad in 1968, studied in Old Cantt Public School Abbottabad and Army Burn Hall College Abbottabad till 1986. I was the first day scholar Football captain in the hstory of ABHC Abbottabad in 1984-85. Abbottabad valley is one of the best beautiful vallies in Asia. I like the old photos of Abbottabad valley, this is my humble request to all of you, please take care of this city as you take care of your own home. Abbottabad is my Dil and Jaan. Love Pakistan, its a God-gifted country.
Beautiful city on earth. Any Indians belonging to this city before Partation, plz comment.
Talking about the beauty of Abbottabad is just an exaggeration. Its temperature are rising every year and its greenery has changed to concrete buildings. The snowfall has became a dream now. There is large and un-vanishing queue of vehicles all the time. The aliens from the west bank of Attock have made a real mess of this so called “beautiful” city by purchasing and building multistory buildings with their ill-gotten money earned from the narcotics and terrorism.
I studied in Abbottabad Public School (previously known as Railway Public School) from 1979 to 1983, Nishter House, then I joined Pak Army in JCB (Junior Cadet Battalion PMA). Now I am luckily posted at Station HQ Abbottabad, I have my heartiest affiliations and nostalgic memories with this city. I cherish every day, while sitting in my home lawn and enjoying the lovliest romantic weather here, and recalling my boyhood. I loved the Chinar and pine trees, the coal and wood burning fregrance has never vanished from my thoughts and mind. I wish you all could visit and see its beauty in Autumn. Wow! its great to see the leaves falling from trees, then emergence of fresh green leaves with colourful flowers welcoming Spring.
Burning trees, enchanting chinars, blood red rays in winter remind me the immemorial days spent at Army Burn Hall College.
My heart, my city Abottabad, I really love my city and people of my lovely city are so beautiful. Its greenery, its neat clean air, its water, its pure food, its people’s living status, really I am impressed. I have no words about my so natural and beautiful city specially my loving mother lives there and my father’s grave is in the villege Jandrbari Kalawan, Abbottabad. So all my wishes and pyaar for this city “Abbottabad”.
Regards,
Healthful city; right from Balakot to Hassanabdal there is no mentionable industry; government should set up industrial units in this entire belt for the improvement of national economy and jobs for the people.
Abbottabad lives in me, love is a very small word.
Abbottabad is an exquisite city, it is city of dreams. I have been spent 6 years in Abbottabad from 2008 to 2014. I studied in PIPS and I have done my Matric and FSc over there. The time which I have spent over there is a priceless, indelible, memorable time for me. Abbottabad has a very peasant weather, besides this, it is a peaceful city. Sometimes I feel that I am in love with this dream city!!
Very beautiful city of Pakistan with lot and lots of natural beauty. Masha Allah!!
The photos are very nice, thank you for sharing. I miss Abbottabad so much.
I adore Abbotabad. I came from Karachi with my parents in 1957. My father owned Shiraz General Store on Jinnah Road. I remember drinking tea with my family at Kaghan Restaurant.
I finished my 8th class Cambridge section from Senior Burn Hall in 1964 when Fr. Ford was the principal. I used to go to school on my Sohrab bicycle even when it was snowing. Had lots of fun hunting ‘chiryas’ with ‘ghulail’.
Used to go see film shootings of Pakistani films on Shimla Pahari. Those were the days when Mansehra Road was a straight track without any houses or constructions on either side of the road and you could see the mountains clearly from the road. Now the valley is a congested jungle of houses. Lots of memories…..
Oh Riaz sb, you visited this beautiful place at the best of the times, with very limited population and lots of jungles all around… we miss it today… I have seen that beauty but now its so crowded but still on the hillsides we have the same beauty.
The BalochRregiment Center Abottabad is beautiful. I love Pak Army.
Abbottabad is a very beautiful city.
No doubt, but I have a request to the Authority to please maintain its natural beauty as well.
Dr. Tom,
How are you? Hope you are fine. I read in these comments that you have pictures of Abbotabad. Will you send me the pictures?
Regards,
I just love Abbottabad. I had seen this city first time in 2013. Now I feel I am in love with this Dream city. Can you believe it that I am missing this city so much and crying? I can’t forget the dream days I spent in this city, and now after looking at these fantastic photos I just wanna go there now.
Yes, Abbottabad is really a fantastic place, I love it. I 1964 I passed my Secondary School certificate from Abbottabad. I never forget its beauty.
Wow!! Nice pictures. I am Abott Museum employee and want town hall history which is now ABBOTT MUSEUM. Must visit to see Hazara culture. Thanks.
I am sorry but the old portrait photo is NOT of Major James Abbott, it is a later photo of some other person. If you have a proper photo of James Abbott please share and remove this, thanks. Don’t kindly misguide people.
It was all sheer nostalgia to go through these pics despite the fact that I’m a resident of this dream town and have chosen it as my abode because of my deep love for the city. Yet it feels like a dream to live and breathe in this town. Its painful to see those rare pics and compare them with today’s town.
I always wonder that we as a nation are very strange people. We destroy everything and place which is precious and rare…This is exactly what we’ve done with Abbottabad. It is fast losing its natural beauty and architecture…which is being replaced by multi_ storey buildings and plazas…The green cover is gone and it has badly affected the weather pattern in this valley. So our lip service is useless until we stand up and say no to all what destroys the natural beauty of this town. It is quite late but it is never too late.
So kuch illaj iss ka bhi ae chara garan hai k nahi???
I have seen Abbottabad city from 1980 to 2005. During 1980-86 the city was very peaceful. There were very few vehicles. The only TV channel available was PTV and it used to air only one cartoon in a week. There showed only one Drama at night. Snow, monsoon, autumn, spring, all weathers were wonderful.
I was born in Abbottabad in 1970 and studied in Army BurnHall from 1975 to 1984. I played hockey & cricket and lived my whole life in Abbottabad and the longest stay out of Abbottabad is 40 days so it is my first love and my Allah knows it is my last too.
I love Pakistan and love Abbottabad!!
Abbottabad is the most beautiful city in the world. Everyone wants to visit Abbottabad and I am very lucky and happy that I am living in Abbottabad. Such a nice and awesome city and I love my city very much.
I love Abbottabad. I live in Karachi but my real city is Abbottabad ………
I studied in 4 & 5 class in Abbottabad but I returned to Karachi because of some problems & I will come back to Abbottabad again.
I love my city Abbottabad very much.
Oh Abbottabad!! I love my city. I was born in this wonderful place. There is not any other place in the world like this. This city has all colors of life. I remember with tears my childhood days which I spent with my cousins in the mountains of this marvelous city. I thought how fast those days past away. I missed those winters when lush white snow-falls from the surrounding, oh what a beautiful memory in my eyes.
Now whenever I go to my city, I feel pleasant, wonderful and forget all tensions for some days. May Allah (Subhana hu Wataala) make Abbottabad more wonderful and peaceful. Every one should visit this city and see its beauty and hospitality.
Thanks.
Lovely pictures of Abbottabad. Certainly brings back wonderful memories of my time at Abbottabad Public School between 1966/1970 I can’t believe how it has developed since I was last there on a visit in 1993 with my family. Looking at these pictures made go down memory lane, Mona Lisa used to be frequented very often and who can forget going to the movies and than a nice meal of kebabs and tikkas with our meagre pocket money. I would certainly visit Abbottabad again soon, Inshallah.
“Memories never die”, I really love Abbottabad, my native land which is so beautiful and lush green. A lot more beauty pending here which is not shown in these pictures.
Dear Shakir Khan,
You are welcome to send beautiful pics of Abbotabad at my email address mentioned in the Post. These will be added in the Post.
Nice pictures. It makes me sad when I see indiscriminate destruction around me. We can find refuge in old photos.
I wish I could visit Abbottabad some day, it’s awesome and beautiful.
I love Abbottabad and I miss it too. Mera bachpan Abbottabad may guzra hai. Agar kissi kay pass HQ Company, PMA, Kakul ki pics hain, tou plz upload kar dain.
My father owned Shiraz General Store on Jinnah Road from 1957 to 1964. I studied in Burn Hall. Those were the best days of my life. Abbottabad was so natural and full of life. I can recall every moment of my life there. Those were the days!
I also studied in Burnhall College from 2001 to 2005. But I spent my whole childhood in Abbottabad from 1990 to 2005.
Kaash woh din phir say waapas aa jaen.
Beautiful, tremendous collection. Thanks!!
I wish I could have lived and seen those old times of this beautiful city of mine.
I love Abbottabad!!
i love my city
I love Abbottabad from the core of my heart, awesome beauty in the world!!!
I love my Abbottabad. This is a good collection of pics of my city.
I love Abbottabad!!!
Great snaps!! Abbottabad is my Hometown, I miss it.
Very very beautiful city, I love Abbottabad.
Abbottabad is Paradise on earth. I was born and educated in this beautiful city. I am in Saudi Arabia and miss my city every moment. I LOVE AND MISS ABBOTTABAD WITH MY EACH BREATH. Salam to the beauty of Abbottabad.
These pics are awesome!!
Thank you for these evocative photos . I was born here in 1946 and have witnessed it’s progressive destruction.
Hello Asad Ullah,
I hope you are Mir Asad Ullah who had Edward Silvis from Faribault Minnesota as a teacher in Abbottabad. If you are the same, I am Tom Weaver, Dr. Tom Weaver, a retired medical doctor, as I was born in 1947 in Faribault MN and found letters recently from 1959- 1965 sent from Abbottabad. In Sept of 1960 I received some black and white photos from Mir Asad Ullah, Dr. Mir Safi Ullah – Reg Med Practioner, Abbottabad, Hazara West Paksitan. I would enjoy hearing from you. My email address is tomweaver7747@gmail.com.
Yes, Tom I am the same guy. I remember your address in Minnesota. It was 425, 3rd Street, Faribault. I never forgot it and have written several letters to this address via US post from Houston. SF Virginia etc. Cheers. You will get a letter from me in a few minutes via email.
Hi Mir Asad Ullah,
I sent you a bunch of photos and letters from the 1960’s by email. I have heard nothing back from you. Hope you are OK.
Best regards,
Good photos of Abbottabad, my city!!
Wonderful location.
Thanks dear, nice collection, appreciable efforts.
Incredible images. Some of these places I had not noticed despite living in the town for two decades.
Thanks for these lovely photos. Includes places where I had my first glass of nimbu pani, went to school, and places where I had a lot of fun in the 60s.
Very nice collection…. my native town…I miss Abbottabad’s natural beauty every day!!
Anam,
Yes, Abbottabad is really a beautiful place!!
It is a wonderful effort. When I saw my city Abbottabad’s photos really tears came in my eyes. Whenever I am far away from my country as well as my city, I open this website every day and see the pictures. I love Abbottabad.