SWAT: The department of Pashto was opened at University of Swat on Thursday.

The department was inaugurated by Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Syed Jamal Shah. The event, presided over by Vice-chancellor Prof Hassan Sher, was attended by faculty members, students and other guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Jamal Shah highlighted the importance of mother tongue for development of a nation. He lauded the university administration for introducing Pashto at graduate level.

He acknowledged use of Pashto as an official language during princely state of Swat. He termed establishment of Pashto department at the university a milestone for promotion of the language through academic research.

Vice-chancellor Prof Hassan Sher outlined the university’s achievements and future plans. He expressed his commitment to elevating the institution’s international standing. He said that they planned to se tup departments like Peace and Conflict Studies, Climate Change and others to meet demands of market.

Pashto poet Prof Abaseen Yousafzai also lauded the decision of the university administration and said that the department would not only provide theoretical knowledge but would also contribute to preserving the region’s rich history.

The ceremony, attended by director of Hunarkada Islamabad Amna Shah, Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Adviser Kashif Irshad, and local poets and academicians, featured formal inauguration of Pashto department through a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake cutting by the chief guest.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2023