A five-day national conference on the future of history education in Pakistan concluded at the Bara Gali Summer Campus of University of Peshawar, with participants agreeing on the need to modernise the discipline, strengthen research, and establish a national association of Pakistani historians.
National conference calls for modernising history education, establishing historians’ association
PESHAWAR, Jul 03 (APP): A five-day national conference on the future of history education in Pakistan concluded at the Bara Gali Summer Campus of University of Peshawar, with participants agreeing on the need to modernise the discipline, strengthen research, and establish a national association of Pakistani historians.
Organised by the university’s Department of History, the conference was held under the theme, “Rethinking the Discipline of History in Pakistan: Institutions, Policies, Pedagogy and Future Directions.”
It brought together leading historians, academics, researchers, and students from across the country to deliberate on the future of history education, research trends, teaching methods, and key challenges facing the discipline.
The inaugural session was chaired by Registrar Professor Yurid Ahsan Zia, representing Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Johar Ali. Conference Chairman Dr. Altaf Qadir welcomed participants and stressed the importance of aligning the study of history with contemporary academic requirements.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Dr. Muhammad Shafiq highlighted the intellectual and research challenges confronting historical scholarship in Pakistan.
He urged historians to strengthen research standards and adopt artificial intelligence responsibly as a tool to enhance research and teaching rather than viewing it as a threat.
Academic sessions covered a wide range of topics, including curriculum development, teaching methodologies, archives, public history, digital technology, post-colonial approaches to historical research, cultural heritage, regional history, and employment opportunities for history graduates.
During a roundtable discussion on the current state of history studies in Pakistan, participants reviewed institutional, curricular, archival, and professional challenges.
They unanimously agreed to establish an Association of Pakistani Historians to provide a common platform for scholars and strengthen engagement with academic and policy-making institutions.
The conference concluded with the presentation of recommendations and a declaration outlining future priorities for the discipline.
Participants also proposed holding a similar national conference in collaboration with another academic institution.
The closing session was chaired by Professor Dr. Hassan-ul-Amin, who praised the conference’s academic quality and organisation, describing it as one of the finest scholarly gatherings held in Pakistan.
The event concluded with a cultural programme and guided visits to the scenic tourist destinations of Mushkpuri Top, Lalazar and Ayubia, reaffirming participants’ commitment to promoting historical scholarship, quality research, and academic collaboration in Pakistan.
