ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: The Inter-University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and the Centre for Civic Education singed a memorandum of understanding to undertake collaborative efforts for promotion of civic education in Pakistan.

Renowned human rights activists I.A. Rehman, Tahira Abdullah, Dr Nasser Ali Khan, member HEC Dr Riaz Hussain Qureshi, and Wilson Lee, senior programme officer National Endowment for Democracy, were present at the signing ceremony held at a local hotel.

Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director HEC Dr Sohail H. Naqvi said the commission was committed to promoting social sciences in Pakistan and in this regard special programmes had been initiated during last 10 years.

Dr Mohammad Mukhtar, the chairperson of IUCPSS and the vice chancellor of Islamia University Bahawalpur, termed the agreement a milestone in improving the state of civic education in Pakistan.

Zafarullah Khan, the executive director of Centre for Civic Education, hoped that the joint efforts would be greatly helpful in encouraging critical and creative ways of thinking and stimulating civic activism to promote pluralism, rule of law and good governance at the leading Pakistani universities.

Prof Mohammad Nizamuddin, the chairperson of National Committee on Development of Social Sciences, HEC, termed the promotion of social sciences vital for the socio-economic development of the country.