ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP): The Pakistan Anthropological Association (PAA) has been formally established as the first-ever national body dedicated to bringing anthropologists together on a common platform and promoting the teaching, research and professional practice of anthropology.
More than 60 founding members, including academics, researchers, graduates and practitioners from Pakistan and overseas, have come together to strengthen the discipline and highlight the contribution of anthropological knowledge to the country’s social, cultural and development priorities.
Addressing the first meeting of the PAA Executive Council held here, Association President Dr. Syed Anwar Iqbal described its establishment as a major milestone in the development of anthropology in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s remarkable cultural, linguistic, ethnic and regional diversity makes anthropology particularly relevant to understanding society and addressing the country’s evolving challenges.
Anthropological knowledge, he added, could help institutions better understand diverse communities and respond more effectively to their needs and priorities.
Dr. Syed Anwar Iqbal said the PAA would promote professionalism, inclusivity, transparency and academic excellence while fostering meaningful collaboration among anthropologists and institutions across Pakistan and internationally.
He said the Association aimed to strengthen the contribution of anthropological research to public policy and development planning, particularly in areas involving cultural heritage, health, education, migration, social inclusion, climate adaptation and community development.
The Association will focus on strengthening its institutional foundations, enhancing professional credibility and building partnerships with universities, government bodies, development organisations, cultural institutions and international professional networks.
The Association has been formally registered, launched its website and constituted an Executive Council comprising national office-bearers, provincial and regional coordinators, international coordinators and executive members.
The PAA Executive Council includes representatives from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, alongside international coordinators representing Pakistani anthropologists overseas.
Membership of the Association is now open to Pakistani anthropologists residing in Pakistan and abroad, as well as anthropology students and specialists from other disciplines who have made significant contributions to anthropology.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
