Reliving the past: Academics recall World War I at symposium
The symposium at the NDU was held to commemorate the Centenary of the ‘great’ war.
The British High Commission held a First World War historical symposium at the National Defence University (NDU) as part of the British government’s programme of events to commemorate the Centenary of the ‘great’ war.
The symposium featured discussions and presentations from leading academics, international speakers and war experts from Australia, the UK and Pakistan. The event highlighted contribution made by the Commonwealth and in particular South Asia in the First World War, especially the role played by a very sizable Muslim contingent within the then British Indian Army, stated a press release.
Topics discussed at the event ranged from the overall context of South Asia before and during the war, the impact of the war on the region and the personal experiences of soldiers.
Speaking at the ceremony, British High Commissioner Philip Barton said, ‘’The UK and Pakistan share a deep and long history pre-dating independence by over a century. Today’s discussions about the First World War provide a unique insight into the world of 1914-1918, the contribution of what is now Pakistan and the sacrifices made by the Commonwealth and others a century ago. These shaped the world we live in today”.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2014.