Muhammad Naeem Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan, along with the Link Officer, the Principal, the Vice Principal and the dignitaries of the Pakistani community on the eve of Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony 2014. — Courtesy photos



Dr. Sarfraz Hussain



Pakistan International School Al-Khobar is merely a new name while the school has already been functioning for more than the span of a generation under the title of Pakistani Community High School Al-Khobar.



The history of this great institution is not just a collection of facts and figures which tells us how old the school is and what are its academic achievements, it rather reflects the struggle, persistence, passion and effort of those people who put their own personal gains aside and worked for a far more superior and noble goal.



These people were visionaries and decided to create a sanctuary where the young and virgin minds of their children could prosper in a healthy and positive way without being alienated.



Abbas Hussain Malik, founder of the then Pakistani Community High School, and a doyen of expatriate education in Saudi Arabia, is one such great visionary who had the courage to embark upon a journey full of problems, hazards and hardships.



He started this school in 1966 and through his passion, vision, struggle, charisma and devotion developed it into a prosperous institution. A landmark in the history of the school was the beginning of Matriculation (SSC) level education in 1970.



In 1974 this school shifted from Prince Bandar Street to its newly constructed building at Prince Naïf Street. It was a testament of what could be achieved if we dedicate our minds and souls to a noble cause.



Yet another landmark was the beginning of Intermediate (HSSC) classes in 1983. In 1989 a great change took place, for the first time English medium of instruction was introduced in the institution.



No greater proof is needed than the mere fact that this institution has been declared the best overseas school in 1983, 1986, 1989 and 1995 on the basis of best results both in SSC and HSSC by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad, which shows the high standards and success of the school.



The Pakistani school is a role model for all those over the world who dare to see dreams, have faith in themselves and courage to go against all odds and transform their dreams into reality.



At present the school has more than 5,000 students with a staff of about 170 members. The school premises is divided into separate wings for boys and girls. Highly equipped laboratories for the subjects of physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, home economics and libraries are unique features of both the sections.



A big fleet of school transport, bookshop and the school tuck shops are the additional facilities being rendered by the school. The school continues to strive for excellence with total focus on overall growth of its students.



— Dr. Sarfraz Hussain is Vice Principal of Pakistani International School, Al-Khobar