Introduction

Established in 1962, the Department of Political Science is one of the oldest teaching departments of the University of Peshawar. Political Science deals with the various political, social and cultural arrangements through which people govern their lives. It attempts to interpret the past and explain the present and often dares to draw images of the future. As a field of study, it reaches to many levels from the evolution of political philosophy and the character of contemporary political concepts to the problems of development in emerging nations, from the crisis of governance in Pakistan to the interaction of State, Society and System in the international arena. Political scientists explore the concerns and issues that animate public life. Using both humanistic and scientific approaches, they study how political communities attempt to reconcile the claims of justice, power, liberty, and authority. The political science is a broad based discipline and has direct connection with history, economic, geography, sociology, philosophy and law. It also shares the traditional aims of liberal arts education while attempting to come to grips with the major public issues of contemporary world. Students will find courses on the ideas of great thinkers from Plato to the present, the problems of cities, war and peace, democracy and authoritarian political system, international politics and economy, human rights, women and politics Pakistan politics, and foreign policy and other regions. The department is offers four major fields of specialization at the master’s level: A- International Affairs, B- Pakistan Affairs, C- Political Philosophy, and D- Public Administration. Apart from master level courses, the department also enrolls candidates to M.Phil & Ph.D programs. In the recent years, measures have been taken to widen and accelerate its research program. Staffed with foreign qualified teachers, the department provides all necessary facilities to the research scholars. Dr. Israr Hussain Seminar Library, consisting of more than 10,000 books, sufficiently quenches the thirst of research scholars. A Computer Lab for the M.A. students has been established inside the aforesaid library and with all modern day facilities of information gathering makes the task of research students much easier. A separate Computer Lab has also been established for the M.Phil & Ph.D students. The department is proud of supplying enormous manpower resources to the prestigious civil service of Pakistan, Provincial Management Service and other administrative and business establishments and the print the electronic media.

Vision

• To establish and strengthen relationship of the department with her counterparts in advanced countries.
• To bring syllabus of the department at par with those of the developed nations.
• To carve out the discipline in such a manner that can facilitate the establishment of more departments e.g., Department of Local Government and Rural Development, peace and conflict Resolution etc.

Mission

• To provide for young, responsible and energetic leadership for induction to the different levels of elected institutions;
• To ensure transformation of the political culture of Pakistan through the encouragement of Public-spirited, honest and patriotic leadership.
• To encourage the induction of such leadership who can ensure decency and fairness in the political processes of the country;

Objectives

• To educate the young students of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the discipline of Political Science;
• To inculcate among them the sense of responsibility towards the state and society;
• To impart necessary training to the young graduates to enter into the sphere of politics.
• To enable them to lead nation in a befitting manner to face challenges of the time.