LAHORE: Punjab University’s College of Information Technology (PUCIT) on Saturday launched digital archives of the pre-Partition Lahore-based newspaper, Inqilab.

The Urdu newspaper had started in 1922 and its archives were available on inqilab.pucit.edu.pk.

Earlier, the college had also launched digital archives of Zamindar as part of an effort to make a digital library of historical documents and make it available to the public for free. The newspaper was an important source of pre- and post-Partition information for researchers.

PUCIT Principal Dr Syed Mansoor Sarwar, while addressing the launch ceremony, said that the college’s Digital Archives Project was started in 2011 and January 1928 to September 1941 digital editions of Inqilab would be available with some missing in the university archives.

He said that the college would continue to add archives of other newspapers and documents of historical importance to facilitate researchers and public. “We will also add missing editions to Zamindar, Inqilab and work towards adding digital versions of Paisa Akhbar and Civil and Military Gazette. We are negotiating with Punjab Public Library and Dayal Singh Library to expand their digital archives,” said Dr Sarwar.

He appreciated the efforts of the team that developed the digital library of Zamindar and Inqilab.

Meanwhile, the college also held a ceremony to honour its top performing students of BS and MSc degree programmes. As many as 53 students were awarded certificates and Rs20,000 each. It was the first academic unit of the university that recognised high achievers.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2018