By Razi Khan
In this transient world, everyone must eventually depart—but a few exceptional souls leave a legacy that time cannot erase. Among such rare individuals was Sardar Iqbal Khan, affectionately known as Bali Khan, whose unwavering commitment to community welfare has etched his name into the golden pages of Attock’s history.
While many are blessed with wealth, only a select few choose to use it for the betterment of others. Bali Khan was one of those few. He devoted his life to serving humanity and supporting religious and educational institutions, earning the respect and admiration of his community. Through numerous land donations for mosques, schools, cemeteries, and health facilities, his contributions have transformed the village of Shakardara and beyond.
In 1973, Bali Khan donated two kanals of land for the construction of Masjid Haider-e-Karar through Qazi Zahid Agency. The following year, he gifted 30 kanals for the local cemetery in Shakardara and an additional four kanals for a government school—now a thriving high school nurturing the future of the village.
His generosity continued over the decades. In 1985, Bali Khan donated four kanals for a health center, and five kanals for both a high school and a primary school. That same year, he gifted eight kanals near the railway bridge to the Deputy Commissioner Attock and another one kanal and eight marlas for a vocational government institution.
One of the most striking examples of his selflessness was the donation of 60 kanals of his ancestral land, now home to hundreds of local families. The land on which the village Eidgah—built on four kanals—stands was also his donation.
Bali Khan envisioned Shakardara as a place where people could live with dignity and access basic amenities. To that end, he donated eight kanals and one marla for future welfare projects in 1985, and in 2000, he gifted one kanal for the construction of Amna Mosque, which now serves the community for daily prayers. In 2003, he further contributed 16 marlas for the establishment of Madrassa Muhammadiya, where local children receive religious education.
His sense of civic duty was unmatched. When a road to the village became a source of disputes, Bali Khan resolved the issue by offering four kanals of valuable land in exchange for just three marlas to create a proper access route. Even the newly constructed drainage canal, measuring 1,450 feet long and 25 feet wide, was built on land he generously provided.
At a time when society often chases wealth with little concern for others, Bali Khan stood as a beacon of light. His generosity and vision exemplified the true essence of giving—quiet, humble, and enduring. His philanthropic spirit lives on through his only son, Sardar Sameer Khan, who continues to follow in his father’s footsteps. Known for his kindness and community service, Sameer Khan has also donated land for public welfare and is committed to upholding his father’s legacy.
Former village councilor and respected residents of Shakardara—including Numberdar Munshi Mohabbat Ali Khan, Malik Khan Officer, Malik Tahir Mehmood, Masood Ahmad, Muhammad Aslam, and Shahid Iqbal—have all expressed their deep gratitude and admiration for the late Bali Khan. They pledged to keep his memory alive and educate future generations about the immense contributions he made to their village.
Sardar Iqbal Khan may no longer walk among us, but his legacy of compassion and service will remain etched in the hearts of the people of Shakardara forever.
