LAHORE: The Trust for History, Art and Architecture of Pakistan (Thaap) has unveiled the programme of its 15th international conference, “Culture and life in the Sabta Sindhu” scheduled for Nov 6-7, at 43-G, Gulberg-III, Lahore.
The annual event will bring together scholars and researchers from different regions of the country to present research on the historical, social and cultural dimensions of the Indus Basin. With a focus on locally rooted themes and indigenous knowledge, the conference will explore how rivers, landscapes, communities and civilisations have shaped the region’s cultural identity.
The two-day event will examine the riverine life of the Indus Basin, encompassing the northern mountains and foothills, the plains of undivided Punjab and Sindh, and the Indus Delta. Its key themes include historical settlements, trade routes, water management, indigenous knowledge, architecture, crafts, folk traditions and the continuity of cultural practices.
The programme features 23 research papers addressing the Indus Valley Civilisation, historical landscapes, cultural memory, language, architecture, traditional crafts and the relationship between the region’s past and present.
The inaugural session will feature a keynote address by Prof Dr Noman Ahmed, Pro-Vice Chancellor of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi.
Prof Dr Raheel Qamar, Rector of Comsats University Islamabad, will attend as chief guest. Thaap CEO Prof Sajida Haider Vandal will introduce the conference’s broader cultural and scholarly significance.
Speaking about the significance of the conference, Prof. Pervaiz Vandal said, “The Sabta Sindhu is more than a geographical expression; it represents a historical and cultural landscape shaped by rivers, human settlements, knowledge, artistic traditions and collective memory. Understanding this region requires us to look beyond individual monuments and historical periods and examine the interconnected relationship between people, their environment and their ways of life. Through this conference, Thaap seeks to encourage informed dialogue and research into the cultural foundations that continue to shape our collective identity.”
Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026
