SWAT: In a significant step towards preserving cultural heritage, Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Syed Jamal Shah inaugurated the Department of Pashto at the University of Swat on Thursday.
The event, presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Sher, a large number of drew faculty members, students, and distinguished guests from different spheres of life.
On the occasion, Minister Jamal Shah emphasized the importance of promoting the mother tongue for national development, applauding the decision to introduce the Pashto Department at the graduate level. He acknowledged Swat’s historical use of Pashto as an official language during its princely state era and hailed the establishment of the Pashto department as a milestone in fostering the language through academic research.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Sher outlined the university’s achievements and future plans, expressing his commitment to elevating the institution’s international standing. He revealed plans to introduce departments like Peace and Conflict Studies, Climate Change, and others to meet market demands.
Renowned Pashto poet and academician Prof. Dr. Abasin Yousafzai commended the timely decision, noting that the Department of Pashto would not only provide theoretical knowledge but also contribute to preserving the rich history of the region.
The ceremony, attended by Director of Hunarkada Islamabad Amna Shah, advisor to the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Kashif Irshad, and local poets and academicians, featured the formal inauguration of the Pashto Department through a ribbon-cutting ceremony and cake-cutting by the chief guest.
