A three-day international conference entitled “Historiography of South Asia” kick started here at the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) on Friday. The conference was jointly organised by the QAU’s Department of History, Hanns Seidel Foundation Munich, Germany, and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Speaking on the occasion, QAU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai said the event was unique and timely in the sense that Pakistan was going through one of the toughest phases of its history and it was at the crossroads, facing domestic, regional and international challenges.
He urged the social scientists to come forth with viable solutions to sail safely the trouble-stricken ship of the nation. He said the scholars and intellectuals provided the first line of defence to any nation, so there was a need to create and promote critical and philosophical body of knowledge to seek guidance to take the nation in the right direction.
“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 observed.
Expressing hope that through such conferences new approaches in the history-writing could be deliberated upon, Dr Yasinzai said that would “certainly provide an opportunity to come close to produce more authentic and valuable works”.
He emphasised that the discipline of writing history be provided preferable attention in the higher education sector of Pakistan.
QAU Department of History head Dr Razia Sultana, in her welcome address, said that it had been a long cherished dream of the department to hold the conference.
She said the basic process of learning and producing knowledge was about sharing of knowledge and by generating thought-provoking debates on various aspects. “Because all over the world, the campuses are known as torch bearers of revolutionary ideas and new inventions and discoveries,” she added. While introducing the three-day conference, she said it was divided into three broad sub-themes that range between ancient, medieval and modern or contemporary historiography, under which “very interesting articles and exciting presentations” would be presented.
She thanked all the participants and guests to attend the inaugural session of the conference.
Dr Martin Axman of Hanns Seidel Foundation also addressed the audience. PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira was also present on the occasion.