Islamabad:October 29:A three-day International History Conference on ‘Historiography on South Asia’ started here on Friday at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), with an aim to carry out an intellectual exercise that can contribute significantly in identifying problems and finding out their solutions for betterment of the country.
The conference has been organised by the QAU Department of History Hanns Seidel Foundation (Munich) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
While addressing the opening session, Qamar Zaman Kaira, information secretary of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said that knowing history is like knowing one’s own self and no nation can attain glory without knowing about its past. “Knowledge of history equips people with political consciousness and acumen, which are necessary for peace and prosperity. It is really heartening to know that a rigorous and conscious effort is being made on the part of Department of History to contribute their due share in the historiography of Pakistan,” he said.
Qamar Zaman Kaira said that it is research and invention that provides a nation ingenuity to resolve problems and tackle challenges and also it is the sense of exploration that keeps a society dynamic, optimistic and thriving.
QAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Masoom Yasinzai said the event is unique and timely in the sense that Pakistan is going through one of its toughest phases of history and it is at the cross roads, facing domestic, regional and international challenges.
“Social scientists should come forward with viable solutions to sail safely the trouble stricken ship of the nation. The scholars and intellectuals provide the first line of defence to the nation, so there is a need to create and promote critical and philosophical body of knowledge to seek guidance to take the nation in the right direction,” he said.
He said history is considered the memory of the nation and without sound memory no nation can survive. It is high time that fair and balance account of the preceding events be given to the new generation. That is one big favour that we the academics can do to our youth. Especially the art of historiography enables the scholars to introduce new trends and credible methods to interpret and promote scientific historical research,” he added.
Dr. Yasinzai said it would “certainly provide an opportunity to come close to produce more authentic and valuable works”. He emphasised that the discipline of History be provided preferable attention in the arena of higher education in Pakistan.
Dr. Razia Sultana, chairperson of the Department of History, QAU, in her welcome address, said that the basic process of learning and producing knowledge is about sharing of knowledge and generating thought provoking debates on various aspects because all over the world the academic campuses are considered the torch bearers of revolutionary ideas, new inventions and discoveries.
Giving details about the conference, she said that it has been divided into three broad sub-themes, including Ancient, Medieval and Modern or Contemporary Historiography.The news. </
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