History matters: Most Pakistani historians don’t engage with peers

First meeting of history scholars held at FCC.

LAHORE:

Historians from various city universities gathered at the Forman Christian College University on Wednesday for the first meeting of the History Society.

Fifteen historians from Lahore College for Women University, Punjab University, Government College University, Forman Christian College and the University of Sargodha met at the Centre for Public Policy and Governance.

The idea for forming such a society for academics was conceived in January 2013 when Dr Ayesha Jalal chaired a meeting at the FCC for promoting history. FCC History Department Chairman Yaqoob Bangash, who had organised the meeting, said historians felt the lack of an organisation that could improve liaison among the history departments of various universities. “As members, our focus will be the promotion of quality and research in history.”

FCC History and Public Policy Prof Sikander Hayat said research and methodology were specialised areas where there was an urgent need for progress.  Dr Hayat was chairing the meeting.



Dr. Hayat said the quality of work particularly in areas of doctorate degree supervision and research was being adversely affected. “You are known by the supervisor you keep,” he said stressing the importance of good research supervisors.

Dr Hayat said that historians in Pakistan were largely writing without any engagement with other scholars. This, he added, produced shallow and myopic research. “We are very good at telling stories without any theme or intellectual research.”

He said many historians emphasised collection of data. This had resulted in a paucity of analysis. “We need to be honest with ourselves and our work.”

Dr Hayat said teachers must not intimidate students. He said this prevented students from learning. He also criticised the practice of quoting from foreign scholars instead of equally good local scholars with quality research.



Dr Bangash said the practice was widespread with those who believed that anything foreign was more authentic and credible. “We have lots of good research and work being done right here in Pakistan,” he said

Punjab University History Department Chairman Dr Iqbal Chawla said academic rivalry had inhibited progress in the discipline, especially in the area of research. He said many academics spent a lot of energy on petty institutional politics instead of focusing on research and academic activities.

The society is expected to meet once each month to discuss issues pertaining to the discipline of history and also deliberate research papers. The chair of the secretary of the society will rotate amongst its members.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2013.