Hayatabad is a modern and first planned suburb on the south-western fringe of Peshawar, the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (Old name North-West Frontier Province ), Pakistan. It was named after Hayat Muhammad Khan Sherpao, Governor of NWFP and who was killed in a bomb blast in 1974-75. It is close to the Khyber Agency which leads to Khyber Pass, a prominent route through the Hindu Kush (The Hindu Kush is a mountain range located between Afghanistan and Pakistan) mountains to Landi Kotal, the highest point of the pass, and the Afghan border.

Hayatabad developed as a residential area in Peshawar in the late 1970s. It is divided into seven phases (or zones) for residential and commercial purposes, and also includes a suitable industrial area. Out of the seven phases, six are fully developed, while the seventh is reserved for future needs. There are several different schools, colleges, a national University, hospital, private clinics, parks, shopping malls, and offices to facilitate the residents. In 2006 two Government colleges were opened for the students of Hayatabad.Government College Hayatabad For Boys is located in phase 6 F2 and the second one is situated in phase 7 and is for girls.

Population and Culture

Hayatabad population is diverse composed of three major ethnic groups. Pastuns(Major Ethnic Group in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Hindkowan(People of Peshawar City) and Tajik(Afgan Refeegues)

Following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, approximately one million Afghan refugees arrived in Pakistan, many of these settling in Hayatabad. There were five refugee camps surrounding Hayatabad immediately following the invasion.

Hayatabad shares most aspects of the culture of the North-West Frontier Province and northern Pakistan.

A popular dish in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the "chappal kebab", a beef kebab shaped like the sole of a sandal - "chappal kebab" literally means "sandal kebab

Location
It is located on Jamrud Road, in the west of Peshawar. The last town from eastern side and the first from the western side of Peshawar.

Geographical features

Hayatabad is a well planned town of Peshawar. Hayatabad town is divided into seven phases. Each phase is divided into sectors. There are four main entrances of Hayatabad. Three from Jamrud Road and one from the Ring road. The fifth one was sealed a couple of years ago for security reasons, due to its boundary with the tribal area.
Phase 5 is allocated for Government and commercial buildings.

Markets

  • Basharat Market
  • Yusafzai Market
  • Super Market
  • Bilal Market
  • Khattak Market
  • Lala Zaar Market
  • PDA
  • Shama Market
  • Zahid Market
  • Hamza Market
  • Afridi Market
  • Abdali Market
  • Tariq Market
  • Shalmaan Market
  • Shershah Market

 Mosques

Hayatabad has got lots of beautiful mosques but the biggest of mosques is Zarghuni mosque located in phase 2.Then 2nd biggest and charming mosque is Hazrat Ali Mosque located in P/2 Sector of Phase 4. And the biggest Shia Mosque in Phase 5 Hayatabad near Rehman Medical Complex.

 Main buildings

  • Peshawar Development Authority
  • Hayatabad Medical Complex
  • Community Center
  • National Bank of Pakistan
  • Institute of Computer and Management Sciences
  • IMS Phase 7
  • Zarghooni Mosque
  • Sports Complex Phase 2
  • Sports Complex Phase 3
  • Frontier Children's Academy Phase 4
  • Khyber girls medical college Phase 5
  • CECOS university phase 2

 Parks

Each phase has many parks but most well known parks are Baagh-e-Naaran , Taataara Park and Khyber Park