Pakistan Studies No Longer Mandatory Subject For Undergraduate Degree

In a significant development, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has revealed a notable alteration to its undergraduate policy, abolishing Pakistan Studies as a compulsory subject.

Commencing with the new scheme of studies in 2023, the updated undergraduate policy excludes Pakistan Studies as a mandatory component in BA, BSc, and all honors degree programs.

This decision has stirred reactions within various academic circles. Representatives from the Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Association and Dr. Amjad Magsi, the General Secretary of the Punjab University Academic Staff Association, have raised concerns.

They emphasized that Pakistan Studies has been an integral part of graduate-level education for several decades, and replacing it with another subject might evoke sensitive apprehensions concerning national sentiments. They appealed to the HEC to reconsider its decision and reinstate Pakistan Studies as a compulsory subject at the undergraduate level.

Contrarily, a spokesperson for the Higher Education Commission clarified that universities are not obligated to follow this policy. This suggests that the choice to include or exclude Pakistan Studies from the curriculum may still vary across different institutions.