GOVERNMENT POSTGRADUATE COLLEGE KOHAT

Introduction to the subject:

Pakistan Studies is the name of a curriculum of academic research and study that
encompasses the culture, demographics, geography, history, and politics of Pakistan. The
subject is widely researched in and outside the country. Several universities in Pakistan have
departments and research centers dedicated to the subject, whereas many independent
research institutes carry out multidisciplinary research on Pakistan Studies. There are also a
number of international organizations that are engaged in collaborative teaching, research,
and exchange activities on the subject.

In foreign countries, the history and existence of their country is taught to the students in fifth
and sixth standard. It means emphasis is on the very existence of the nationals of that nation.
Every subject that is taught in any institution has its importance. For instance, about history it
is said that it is the study of the future. Natural sciences’ importance can also not be denied.
Similarly Pakistan Study has much importance in making the sense of nationalism, patriotism
and oneness in the society. These thoughts and beliefs make a nation strong and progressive.

Here in this subject you will come to know about three different but very important phases of
the making of Pakistan. Firstly, the era of before partition. Secondly, the era after the
partition and thirdly, the era of today’s Pakistan. The journey of this knowledge begins in 712
AD till date.

There are many events that occurred during this time and of course there are many
personalities who have poured their blood and sweat for the creation of Pakistan in one way
or the other. This subjects mainly encircles the past, present and future of Pakistan.

Why to Study ‘Pakistan Studies’ (Problems)

‘Pakistan studies’ is a compulsory subject at matric, intermediate, O’Levels, and BS

programmes in Pakistan. However, at times, the students who want to pursue their higher
studies and opt for a career in science and technical subjects like engineering, medicine
and computer sciences, express their alienation towards ‘Pakistan Studies’ and think it
superfluous and unnecessary.

There are different views and comments that a Pakistan-Studies teacher may encounter. The
most common question is asked by students, as to what can be significance of studying a
subject that deals with history and geography of Pakistan, when we want to become engineer
or doctor?
What could be the best answer of this question? Being Pakistan Studies teacher, in beginning,
I found this question a rather difficult. However, the experience and contemplation helped me
to satisfy students to some extent. The first argument is that every information or knowledge
has its worth, which cannot be denied at all. I ask students, is it bad to be an erudite scholar?
If you are doctor and you are also well versed in world history, would it not help you stand
out among your peers because you have an extra skill, knowledge or information along with
the sound expertise in your own field?

Another argument is that studying Pakistan-Studies connects youth with their heritage,
culture, history, traditions and motherland. This not only creates patriotism but
also bolsters up nationalism in students. Why do we celebrate August 14, independence day –
with vigor and enthusiasm, only on account of connectivity with our history and motherland
and this simply emanates from knowledge we learn about efforts and sacrifices of our
forefathers in making this beloved country.

Besides, affiliation with one’s roots gives a vibrant confidence. Yet another aspect of this
awareness of own culture, history, rituals or traditions is that it becomes a source of spreading
one’s cultural traditions in different places and it also allows him or her to transfer these
traditions to their younger generation. For instance, early European universities adopted
system of funding through trusts – that was similar to Islamic tradition. Even old European
colleges made their internal organizational systems, which were based on Islamic system of
graduates and undergraduates. The linguistic evidence in Spain tells that the Arab Muslims
influenced the Spanish language too, for example, word “alacrán”, meaning scorpion
originated from “al-‘aqran”,an Arabic word.
While teaching Pakistan Studies, one can experience, in particular, a lack of interest of
students. Scores of theories have been discussed and produced by educationists, on how to
generate interest among students in any subject. A good number of teaching methodologies
have been devised to make teaching an effective tool to awareness and understanding.
However, the bitter fact is that these methodologies remain confined only during teachers’
training programmes.
The graduates of these teachers’ training institutes are made to pass through a phase of
unemployment and joblessness that the frustration so experienced spoils all the impact of
training, and so the methodology and teaching techniques applied in the class rooms are
absolutely different from those learnt at the training institutes; hence, the desirable result
cannot be achieved. The fault lies on the system and also the teachers who try to find easier
ways to impart knowledge e.g. only making students to read topic from textbook without
detailed discussion on it.

The teacher should get off the oft-repeated track, take the student along, develop interest in
the subject by making the lecture interactive, present a verbatim extract from text book and
make the lecture ripe with knowledgeable discourses, and then students will feel inclined to
listen and learn. The history and geography are interesting subjects and make the students
more confident even in their social interactions. I hope my humble attempt to highlight some
grey areas in learning and teaching methodology, may be appreciated by readers.

Aims and Objectives Of Learning Pakistan Studies

1. To inculcate the sense of gratitude to Almighty Allah for His all blessings.

2. To emphasize learning of various concepts regarding Pakistan Studies in a way that it

encourages observation, creativity and other higher order skills.
3. To promote and understand Ideology of Pakistan, struggle of Muslims for emergence of
an ideological state, and efforts for achieving the goals of Islamization.
4. To enhance the understanding of physical and human aspects of Pakistan Geography.
5. To develop awareness regarding some socio-cultural aspects of the civic life.
6. To develop positive attitudes towards the role of the people in the development of
society.
7. To create awareness about current socio-cultural and socio-economic patterns of
society.
8. To create awareness in relation to Pakistan’s International relations.
Scope of Pakistan Studies

In broader aspect, Pakistan Studies has a very wide scope. For instance, it helps you get
through almost three subjects in competitive examinations. But, for students like you, its
scope is to give you some answers to valuable questions. For example, why was Pakistan so
inevitable? What are you? What is your background? Why people sacrificed their lives to
establish Pakistan? Were we in need of only a piece of land? Answering such kind of
question will illustrate the scope of Pakistan studies.

Interestingly, Pakistan Studies helps you acquiring an honorable job in any sector of Pakistan
whether it is private or public.

Relationship with other subjects:

Pakistan studies comes under the umbrella of social sciences hence its relationship with other
social science’s subject is more stronger than that of the natural sciences. This subject is inter
related with the subject of Geography, International Relations, International Organizations,
Economics, Political Science, Statistics, Regional Studies, History, Environmental Sciences,
Area Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Defense and Strategic Studies and many more.

Moreover, its deep impact on administrative studies cannot be ignored. For example, if you
do not have the knowledge of Pakistan Studies, you cannot be efficient and progressive in
administrative studies as well. For example, if you are studying management sciences or
business administration and you do not have the knowledge about the in and out of Pakistan,
geography of Pakistan, psychology and background of the people of Pakistan then it would
be impossible for you to administrate the work.

ZOHAIB IHSAN
Lecturer of Pakistan Studies
Government Postgraduate College, Kohat.