View source for Cadet College Petaro

{{Short description|Military boarding school in Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox school
 | name                    = Cadet College Petaro
 | image                   = Cadet College Petaro.png
 | caption                 = 
 | seal_image              = 
 | free_label              = [[Demonym]]
 | free_text               = [[Petarians]]
 | opened                  = August 1957 at [[Mirpurkhas]]<br>August 1959 at [[Petaro]]
 | location                = [[Petaro]]-76120, [[Sindh]]. Petaro is situated about 30 km from [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]]. | coordinates             = {{Coord|25.541|N|68.326|E|type:edu_region:PK-SD|display=inline,title}}
 | motto                   = A Petaro Cadet Does Not Cheat, Lie Or Steal
 | colours                 = {{colour box|Red}}{{colour box|NavyBlue}}{{colour box|SkyBlue}} Red, navy blue and sky blue
 | area                    = over 700 [[acres]]
 | houses                  = 8
 | alumni                  = The Petarian Association (TPA)
 | website                 = [http://www.ccpetaro.edu.pk www.ccpetaro.edu.pk], [http://www.petaro.org www.petaro.org]
 | principal               = Commodore Mushtaq Ahmed Siyal (SI)M
 | principal_label1        = Adjutant
 | principal1              = Lieutenant Commander Abu Bakr Siddique, Pakistan Navy
}}

'''Cadet College Petaro''' is a military boarding school in [[Jamshoro District]] of the southern province of [[Sindh]] in [[Pakistan]], about 30 km from [[Hyderabad, Pakistan|Hyderabad]]. The college is under the administration of the [[Pakistan Navy]].

Its campus occupies over 700 acres (2.8&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>) on the west bank of the [[Indus River]] on the road from Hyderabad to [[Dadu, Pakistan|Dadu]], [[Larkana]] and [[Quetta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/08/navy-chief-lauds-role-of-cadet-college-petaro-in-imparting-quality-education/amp/|title=Navy chief lauds role of Cadet College Petaro for quality education - Pakistan Today|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/302031-navy-chief-visits-cadet-college-petaro|title=Navy chief visits Cadet College Petaro|date=8 April 2018|website=The News International}}</ref>

==History==
The college was founded in August 1957 at [[Mirpurkhas]], Sindh as a boarding institution. The first batch of teachers joined the college on 5 August 1957 at Mirpurkhas while the college building was still under preparation. These five teachers were Abdullah Khadim Hussain, Feroz Yusuf Khan, Aziz Ahmed Farooqui, Hasan Masud Zuberi, and Syed Zahoorul Hasan. While the government had advertised for the position of principal of the college, Mohammed Hasnain was appointed as the in-charge in absence of the principal on 25 August 1957 for the initial few months. Col.(retd) [[J.H.H. Coombes]] was appointed as the first principal on 20 March 1958. The first batch of 30 students joined the college on 27 August 1957 in class VIII.

In 1958, a new site was sought in order to build a permanent campus for the college. A site was chosen at Petaro, a few kilometres up the river from Jamshoro. The construction of a purpose built campus began almost immediately. Mr. Habib-ur-Rehman, Minister of Education, laid the foundation stone of the college on 16 January 1959. The initial cost of construction of the buildings of the college sanctioned by the government of then-West Pakistan was Rs. 2,700,000. The college finally moved to its new premises at Petaro in August 1959. At the time of the move, the River Indus was in flood, and Petaro was also submerged under its waters. The building in Mirpurkhas that originally housed Cadet College Petaro was given over to the Government College Mirpurkhas.

The first principal of the college was Col.(retd) [[J.H.H. Coombes]] who retired from the college in 1965. He was followed by Cdr.(retd) [[Cdr Firoz Shah|Firoz Shah]], who remained in charge until 1972. The previous principal was Cdre. M. Abid Saleem (2000–2007). The present principal is Cdre. Mehboob Ellahi Malik (2014-onwards).

The college is a residential institution for over 900 full-time students at present, providing education from Class 8 to Class 12 (Intermediate). At the time it was first constructed, it was designed to accommodate only 360 students in four houses (or hostels). The capacity was expanded to 570 with the construction of two more houses in the late 1960s.

The year 2007 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the college. Gen. [[Pervez Musharraf]], President of Pakistan was the chief guest at the Golden Jubilee celebrations on 28 February 2007. On this occasion, President Musharraf announced the formation of a university in the vicinity of the college that will be sponsored by the [[Metupak Foundation]].

==Academics==
The main body of students is admitted each year to Class 8. Until the academic year 1998–99, the college used to admit a small contingent of boys from the rural districts of Sindh to Class 7, to prepare them for competitive success with the new entry into Class 8. However, it was decided by the Board of Governors of the college to discontinue Class 7 from 1999 onwards. All Class 7 Cadets stayed in Shahbaz House. Shahbaz house became a full-fledged house in 2000; having a similar strength of all classes like the other houses, and started participating in all Inter-House competitions to compete for the Championship.

College students have normally secured most of the top positions in the competitive Hyderabad Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education examinations every year. Further, the first batch of O-levels brought a fruitful result by bringing 4 A*, 33 As and 20 Bs in May/June CIE O-Level Examinations 2012 under the supervision of the O-levels co-ordinator and House Master 'Sachal House' Mr. Ahsan Ali Shah.

==Houses==
The college is subdivided into eight (08) houses.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! class="unsortable" colspan=2 | Colours
! House
! Year established
! Named after
|-
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#000080}}{{scarf|end}}
|Navy blue
|Jinnah
|1957
|[[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]]
|-
|-style="background:gold;"
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#CC0000}}{{scarf|end}}
|Red
|Liaquat
|1958
|[[Liaquat Ali Khan]]
|-
|-style="background:orange;"
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#964B00}}{{scarf|end}}
|Brown
|Ayub
|1961
|[[Ayub Khan (Field Marshal)|Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan]]
|-
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#ffff00}}{{scarf|end}}
|Yellow
|Latif
|1962
|[[Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai]]
|-
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#006400}}{{scarf|end}}
|Dark green
|Iqbal
|1966
|[[Muhammad Iqbal|Allama Muhammad Iqbal]]
|-
|-style="background:silver;"
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#800080}}{{scarf|end}}
|Purple
|Qasim
|1967
|[[Muhammad Bin Qasim]]
|-
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#87CEFF}}{{scarf|end}}
|Light blue
|Shahbaz
|1975 (Class 7), 2000 (Full-Fledge), 2010 (Dis-integreted), 2012 (Full-Fledge)
|[[Shahbaz Qalander|Lal Shahbaz Qalandar]]
|-
|{{scarf|start}}{{cell3|#FFA500}}{{scarf|end}}
|Orange
|Sachal
|2012 (Class 7) and O-Level, 2014 (Full-Fledge)
|[[Sachal Sarmast]]
|}

:{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} The house is currently Champion

:{{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} The house is currently Runner-Up

:{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} The house homes the First Champions Trophy

Shahbaz House was created in as an entity in 1965, but a proper building for the house was constructed the year 1975. This was meant to be solely to house Class 7 cadets, to prepare them to become proper regular cadets a year later. This concept was developed to give opportunity to boys from underdeveloped rural areas. However, due to malpractices by college administration in later years, many sons of rich landlords availed this opportunity as they were unable to get in through competitive examinations. Therefore, in the year 2000, the Board of Governors decided to abolish this scheme as it did not benefit the segment of the population it was intended for. Shahbaz House was declared a regular house with cadets from all classes henceforth.

In 2007, on the occasion of Cadet College Petaro's golden jubilee, General [[Pervez Musharraf]], who was the chief guest on the occasion, announced the construction of a new house, which was named [[Sachal Sarmast]] House after the famous Sufi poet from Sindh.

==Campus==
The campus is founded near the town [[Petaro]], which is part of the District Jamshoro. The campus is practically a small township with its own electricity, water supply, sewerage, security and other infrastructure. The campus is divided into 4 parts, which are Staff Quarters, Cadets Area, Sports Grounds and College Premises. The college also has a parade ground, which hosts the Adjutant Parade and Principal Parade.

==Administration==
The college is governed by an autonomous board of governors, headed by the Commander Karachi (COMKAR) of the [[Pakistan Navy]] as its chairman. Since 1975, the principal of the college has been an officer of the Pakistan Navy as well. The adjutants have been either from Pakistan Army (1957-1970 and 2010 onwards) or Pakistan Navy (1970–2010).

==Staff infrastructure==
The college is controlled and patronised by the Pakistan Navy. Since 1975, the Principal posted is at least of the rank of a serving Captain of the Navy with experience of administration. His tenure is normally for 3 years. Likewise the Pakistan Navy provides an Adjutant of the rank of Lieutenant / Lieutenant Commander and other training staff like Chief Petty Officers, Petty Officers and Sailors for military training of the cadets. The current Adjutant of the college is 
Lieutenant Raja Arsalan Kayani, Pakistan Navy.He is from 2014-A course & from OPS Branch.He is an ex-cadet of the same college.

The college is staffed by 41 teachers (professors, assistant professors and lecturers) who have at least a master's degree. There are other officers like the medical officer, administrative officer, bursar, librarian and office superintendent. In addition, there are around 215 board employees and over 400 college employees.

==The Petarian Association (TPA)==

Founded in 1982, the Petarian Association has become the focal point of gathering for all Petarians, particularly those in Pakistan. The association is a successor of the Petaro Old Boys Association (POBA) that existed informally for a few years in the late 1960s, and then became defunct. The Petarian Association was registered under the Societies Registration Act-XXI of 1860 on 4 February 1982 under registration no. KAR-7210.

Over these years, the association has hosted numerous functions that provide a social meeting ground for the Petarians and their families. The association presently has over 900 life members.

The Commander Karachi (COMKAR) of the Pakistan Navy (who is the Chairman Board of Governors of Cadet College Petaro) has always been invited to be the Patron-in-Chief of the association. The principal of Cadet College Petaro is the patron of the association.

==Notable alumni==
*[[Asif Ali Zardari]], former [[President of Pakistan]] and Co-Chairperson [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] (PPP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/en/asif-ali-zardari-turns-61-today/|title=Asif Ali Zardari turns 61 today|date=26 July 2016}}</ref>
*[[Arbab Ghulam Rahim]], former [[Chief Minister of Sindh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fp.brecorder.com/2004/06/20040610114963/|title=Arbab Rahim sworn in Sindh's 26th chief minister|date=10 June 2004}}</ref>
*[[Liaquat Ali Jatoi]], former Federal Minister of Industries and former [[Chief Minister of Sindh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1375970/former-sindh-cm-liaquat-ali-jatoi-joins-pti/|title=Former Sindh CM Liaquat Jatoi joins PTI|last=Tribune.com.pk|date=6 April 2017|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>
*[[Zulfiqar Mirza]], former Sindh Home Minister, Member of [[Sindh Provincial Assembly]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/278742/the-fallen-archangel/|title=Who is Dr Zulfiqar Mirza?|last=Tribune.com.pk|date=21 October 2011|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>
*[[Rizwan Ahmed (bureaucrat)|Rizwan Ahmed]], Federal Secretary to Government of Pakistan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lahoreworld.com/2019/04/02/rizwan-ahmad-takes-charge-as-federal-secy-maritime-affairs/|title=Rizwan Ahmad takes charge as Federal Secy, Maritime Affairs|author=Staff Reporter|date=1 April 2019|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-date=1 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101085820/https://lahoreworld.com/2019/04/02/rizwan-ahmad-takes-charge-as-federal-secy-maritime-affairs/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Maroof Afzal]], Federal Secretary to Government of Pakistan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/12/15/maroof-afzal-posted-as-establishment-division-secretary/|title=Maroof Afzal posted as Establishment Division Secretary - Pakistan Today|website=www.pakistantoday.com.pk}}</ref>
*[[Khan Hasham bin Saddique]], Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1143459|title=New Vice Chief of Naval Staff appointed|last=APP|date=10 November 2014|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>
*[[Syed Arifullah Hussaini]], Commander Pakistan Fleet<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/79401-vice-admiral-syed-arifullah-hussaini-takes-over-as-commander-pakistan-navy-fleet|title=Vice Admiral Syed Arifullah Hussaini takes over as Commander Pakistan Navy Fleet|date=3 December 2015|website=TheNews International}}</ref>
*[[Allah Dino Khawaja]], senior [[Police Service of Pakistan|PSP officer]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tribune.com.pk/story/1064716/man-who-patrolled-streets-as-milk-seller-to-uncover-corrupt-cops-takes-charge-as-new-ig/?amp=1|title=Man who patrolled streets as milk seller to uncover corrupt cops takes charge as new IG - The Express Tribune|website=www.tribune.com.pk}}</ref>
*[[Nouraiz Shakoor]], former Federal Minister, Govt of Pakistan<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.petaro.org/cadets%201957-69/424-NouraizShakoor.htm|title=Petaro}}</ref>
*[[Karim Ahmed Khawaja]], former senator, Govt of Pakistan
*[[Younus Changezi]], former Balochistan Minister of Forests and Environment<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.petaro.org/cadets%201957-69/788-Tarzan.htm|title=Petaro}}</ref>
*[[Masood Sharif Khan Khattak]], former Director General of the [[Intelligence Bureau of Pakistan]] (DGIB)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.petaro.org/cadets%201957-69/603-MasoodSharif.htm|title=Petaro}}</ref>
*[[Zaka Ashraf]], former President Zarai Taraqqiati Bank, and former Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beta.dawn.com/news/812691/zaka-ashraf-becomes-pcbs-first-elected-chief|title=Zaka Ashraf becomes PCB's first elected chief|date=8 May 2013|website=DAWN.COM}}</ref>
*[[Shahid Iqbal]], Chief of Staff (COS), Ex-DCNS (T&P), COMPAK, DCNS (O) and Commander [[Combined Task Force 150|CTF-150]]

== See also ==
* [[Cadet College Swat]]
* [[Cadet College Hasan Abdal]]
* [[Cadet College Kohat]]
* [[Cadet College Mastung]]
* [[Cadet College Razmak]]
* [[Cadet College Skardu]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*

==External links==
*[http://www.ccpetaro.edu.pk Official Website]
*[http://www.petaro.org Comprehensive website with archives of Cadet College Petaro history]

{{Pakistan Navy}}
{{Cadet Colleges in Pakistan}}
{{Universities and colleges in Sindh}}

[[Category:Cadet College Petaro| ]]
[[Category:Cadet colleges in Pakistan|Petaro]]
[[Category:Schools in Hyderabad, Sindh]]
[[Category:Military in Sindh]]
[[Category:Boarding schools in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistan Navy]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1957]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1959]]