Department of Pakistan Studies

Subject of Pakistan Studies was introduced in Pakistan at a time of national crisis. The separation of East Pakistan in 1971 led the ruling elites and scholars to the conclusion that there was an urgent need to study Pakistani society in a manner that would contribute to promotion of patriotism, national cohesion, strength and development. The first outcome of such thinking was the establishment, in 1973, of a Department of Pakistan Studies at the country’s premier university, the University of Islamabad (now Quaid-i-Azam University). In 1976, National Assembly of Pakistan passed Pakistan Study Centres Act for in-depth study and research on Pakistan. Consequently Pakistan Study Centres were established in different provincial universities and National Institute of Pakistan Studies at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. Presently Pakistan Studies departments are functioning in various universities of Pakistan.

Department of Pakistan Studies at Havelian Campus of Hazara University (Now Abbottabad University of Science and Technology) started to function on October 21, 2013 under the leadership of Dr.Sultan Mahmood (PhD in Pakistan Studies from Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad) as its founding Head of the Department. Pakistan Studies is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary subject in which different subjects of Social Sciences such as Economics, Sociology, History, Political Science, Languages, Literature, Mass Media and Communication and Public Administration are studied in Pakistani perspective. The main purpose of program is to provide an in-depth understanding of Pakistan through teaching and research about state and society of the country. The Programme therefore offers courses consisting of history, ideology, politics, education, geography, economics, foreign relations, society, culture, languages and literature, customs, attitudes and motivation, of the people of various regions of Pakistan.