ISLAMABAD, June 27: Social scientists during a seminar on Wednesday stressed that research in social sciences could help in reducing poverty. The economics department of the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) held the one-day national seminar on ‘trade and economic growth linkages’ in collaboration with the social sciences and humanities section of the Higher Education Commission (HEC).

Prof Qasim Jan, QAU vice-chancellor, while inaugurating the seminar, said that research in social sciences has the potential to play an important role in contributing towards the socio- economic policy development and design of poverty reduction strategies.

He appreciated the support of the HEC for promoting research in social sciences at public sector universities.

Dr Ishrat Hussian, chairman HEC committee on development of social sciences, delivered his keynote address on ‘trade liberalisation: economic growth and poverty reduction’.

Ten research papers were presented on various national, regional and international perspectives of trade and economic growth linkages during the three working sessions.

The seminar was attended by faculty members and researchers from the Lahore University of Management Sciences (Lums), University of the Punjab, Fatima Jinnah Women University and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.