Saraiki Area Study Centre (SASC)

 

                                                                                                   (Image Credit: Saraiki Area Study Centre, BZU)

Saraiki Area Study Centre, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan

In a national landscape where regional languages have long been sidelined in policy and academia, the Saraiki Area Study Centre (SASC) at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, emerges as a pivotal institution championing linguistic equity and cultural preservation. Established with the vision to elevate the Saraiki language, literature, and identity, SASC serves not only as a hub of scholarly research but also as a symbol of empowerment for a historically marginalized region. Its role is critical—not just for the survival of Saraiki as a vibrant language, but for reinforcing the pluralistic and multilingual character of Pakistan.

The Saraiki Area Study Centre (SASC) at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan is a premier institution dedicated to the study and promotion of the Saraiki language, literature, culture, and history. Established to reflect the growing academic and cultural importance of the Saraiki region, SASC serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, higher education, and cultural preservation.

The roots of SASC lie in the formation of the Saraiki Research Centre in 2001, which later evolved into the Department of Saraiki in 2006, offering M.A. programs in Saraiki language and literature. The formal inauguration of the Saraiki Area Study Centre took place on January 23, 2010, by the then Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, who also announced a grant of Rs. 30 million to support its development. A commemorative volume titled Saraiki Wasaib was published to mark the occasion.

SASC now houses several academic departments, including:

• Department of Saraiki
• Department of Archaeology
• Department of Cultural Studies
• Department of Linguistic Communication
• Department of Post-Colonial Studies

The Department of Saraiki is the flagship department, offering BS, M.A., M.Phil, and Ph.D. programs. Its curriculum is designed with an interdisciplinary focus, preparing graduates for careers in education, media, research, and cultural institutions. A significant achievement includes the launch of its M.Phil program, initiated through the efforts of Director Dr. Mumtaz Khan and Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akbar Kundi.

The Centre boasts a rich library of over 17,000 books, including rare manuscripts and personal collections donated by notable scholars and writers such as Allama Atique Fikri, Dr. Mehar Abdul Haq, and Ustad Fida Hussain Gadi. Additional facilities include a cultural museum/archive (Mirza Ibne-Hanif), a modern computer lab, and audio-visual and conservation laboratories to support academic and field research.

SASC actively promotes cultural and academic dialogue through seminars, conferences, workshops, literary festivals, and annual Saraiki Literary Awards. The Centre also publishes research monographs and is preparing to launch its own academic journal.

Led by Prof. Dr. Rohma Hafeez as Head of Department, and supported by dedicated faculty including Dr. Naseem Akhtar, Mr. Muhammad Arif, Mr. Hafiz Muhammad Fiaz, and Mr. Malik Ammar Yasir Khakhi, the Centre continues to play a vital role in preserving and celebrating the identity and intellectual heritage of the Saraiki region.

Further Information

For more details about the Saraiki Area Study Centre at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, please visit the official links below:

🔗 Official Website:
Saraiki Area Study Centre – BZU Multan

🔗 Official Facebook Page:
Saraiki Area Study Centre – Facebook