This paper presents the initial report of our “Karakorum Rescue Project 2020-21” in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The petroglyphs of the Karakorum Mountains are very important as it was... Show moreThis paper presents the initial report of our “Karakorum Rescue Project 2020-21” in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The petroglyphs of the Karakorum Mountains are very important as it was crucial crossroads throughout ancient times and different routes were used by a wide diversity of merchants, travellers, caravans and pilgrims for thousands of years. These rock art sites in the region are in danger due to the construction of dam, destruction and vandalism of especially the Buddhist rock art continue to threaten the existence of these historical petroglyphs, including many that have as yet never been documented before. For the preservation and documentation of this heritage, we initiated this project with the support of the Prince Claus Heritage Emergency Grant and the Aliph Alliance. This helps us to outline the academic and fieldwork strategies we used and how we combined a (non-invasive) archaeological photographical rescue campaign with an active and inclusive outreach to the local communities of the research region. Show less
Pakistan’s democratic and civilian groups face various problems: Issues of national integrity, reduction of violence, the creation of a governing consensus among different provinces and ethnic... Show morePakistan’s democratic and civilian groups face various problems: Issues of national integrity, reduction of violence, the creation of a governing consensus among different provinces and ethnic groups; all of these will have to be tackled by the new parliament. But just as important as the restoration of democracy and the end of military involvement in politics are problems of poverty and economic deprivation. Show less
In the past decade Pakistan has witnessed the emergence of Al-Huda, an institute offering religious education to women. Its popularity is greeted with hostile scepticism by many in Pakistan. Male... Show moreIn the past decade Pakistan has witnessed the emergence of Al-Huda, an institute offering religious education to women. Its popularity is greeted with hostile scepticism by many in Pakistan. Male religious scholars, feminists, and the mainstream media are amongst those who disagree with the practices of these women and their vision of moral reform. The author argues that by introducing women in new roles Al-Huda disrupts traditional structures for transmitting religious learning. Show less
Since the latter half of the 1980s, a large number of Muslims have come to Japan from countries such as Pakistan, Iran and Bangladesh in order to work. In the 1990s there was an increase in the... Show moreSince the latter half of the 1980s, a large number of Muslims have come to Japan from countries such as Pakistan, Iran and Bangladesh in order to work. In the 1990s there was an increase in the number of Muslims marrying Japanese women and forming families in Japan. The children of these families are now reaching school age and educational problems among second-generation Muslims are emerging. Show less
Cosmopolitanism is usually associated with educated, affluent, and highly mobile citizens. But why would the “open-endedness” of cultural vision not apply to less fortunate global citizens? This... Show moreCosmopolitanism is usually associated with educated, affluent, and highly mobile citizens. But why would the “open-endedness” of cultural vision not apply to less fortunate global citizens? This contribution follows the experiences of an Ismaili man from Tajikistan who temporarily joined the Taliban in Pakistan. His trickster-like abilities to artfully instrumentalize relationships with a variety of groups provide important insights into the workings of actually existing cosmopolitanism. Show less
On 26 October 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union, infuriating Pakistan and spawning one of the world's longest unresolved conflicts: Kashmir. India and Pakistan's half... Show moreOn 26 October 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the Indian Union, infuriating Pakistan and spawning one of the world's longest unresolved conflicts: Kashmir. India and Pakistan's half-century of perpetual conflict has been punctuated by four full-scale wars waged over the Line of Control, forcing villagers to hinterland refugee camps that have fundamentally changed the structure of the families living in them. Show less
The courtesan has been a stock character in popular South Asian literature and movies. The popular Urdu novel, Umrao Jan Ada, was recently made into a lavish serialized television play in Pakistan.... Show moreThe courtesan has been a stock character in popular South Asian literature and movies. The popular Urdu novel, Umrao Jan Ada, was recently made into a lavish serialized television play in Pakistan. It raises questions about how popular television performances create a space for a discussion on gender politics in a rapidly changing cultural, social, and economic milieu of present-day Pakistan. Show less
Considerable criticism has been directed towards traditional Islamic educational institutions, the madrasas, as breeding grounds of militant Islam and training camps for jihad. The powerful... Show moreConsiderable criticism has been directed towards traditional Islamic educational institutions, the madrasas, as breeding grounds of militant Islam and training camps for jihad. The powerful perception of the supposedly unilateral inter-relatedness between these religious schools and jihad, between mullahs and violence, produced and perpetuated fear in the public mind in the West. As a result, the relationship between state power and civil rights has been subjected to very severe restrictions in countries like Pakistan - and without major reactions from the public. This has enabled governments to push through restrictive policies in an unprecedented way. Show less
In 1947, when Pakistan came into being, there were only two university departments of social sciences: one in history and one in economics. More departments were established in the 1960s when... Show moreIn 1947, when Pakistan came into being, there were only two university departments of social sciences: one in history and one in economics. More departments were established in the 1960s when research in sociology and social work expanded. Although the growth of social sciences was still slow - until 1983 there were only 34 social science departments in all the Pakistani universities - the range of social sciences expanded to include (apart from economics and history) departments of political science, psychology, international relations, social work, and anthropology. The state began employing social scientists in its activities of planning and finance. The government also established research institutions in the fields of economics, foreign affairs, administration, and development economics. Show less
As the first nation created as a religious asylum, Pakistan has a short but tormented history of fifty-four years, half of which was controlled by a military regime. Founded in the name of 'Islam... Show moreAs the first nation created as a religious asylum, Pakistan has a short but tormented history of fifty-four years, half of which was controlled by a military regime. Founded in the name of 'Islam in danger' by Muhammed Ali Jinnah (1876-1948), Pakistan officially elected Islam as the religion of the state in 1973, during the tenure of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (1928-1979), the first popularly elected Prime minister of the country. Bhutto was arrested and hanged by general Zia ul-Haq (1928-1988). While the Islamization rhetoric of Bhutto was characterized by its mixture of socialism, nationalism and populism, the discourse of Zia ul-Haq appeared to be of a much more straightforward military-Islamist type. In opposition to his rule, a counter-discourse developed in which Mughal heritage was revived. Show less
To even the casual observer, public education in Pakistan appears to be in a state of crisis. On a recent trip to Islamabad and Lahore, I noticed state-supported schools seemingly outnumbered by... Show moreTo even the casual observer, public education in Pakistan appears to be in a state of crisis. On a recent trip to Islamabad and Lahore, I noticed state-supported schools seemingly outnumbered by private 'schools' that have sprung up on almost every street corner. These are generally housed in a villa, a bungalow, or a couple of rooms in a building with a billboard and fancy title and logo advertising their wares; Leeds Academy or London College of IT were spotted amongst the forest of signs. Other education indicators reveal Pakistan lagging behind its neighbours in South Asia: it has the lowest literacy rate, the lowest female participation in education, the highest female primary school dropout rate, and the lowest enrolment in tertiary education. Show less
