5 years after its inauguration, the University of Peshawar stands as a distinguished emblem of scholarship, resistance and renewal, right at the lip of the Khyber Pass, where civilisations have converged and cultures have collided for centuries.

The objective behind establishing this institution was inseparable from the vision of Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, who founded the Islamia College in 1913. This institution would, later, become the cornerstone for the foundation of University of Peshawar.

In 1948, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited Islamia College and proclaimed, “Nothing is dearer to my heart than to have a university in the North-West Frontier Province from where rays of knowledge and culture will spread throughout Central Asia.”

These words were not mere rhetoric; they constituted a solemn pledge. That pledge was fulfilled on October 30, 1950, when Shaheed-i-Millat Liaqat Ali Khan, the first prime minister of Pakistan, laid the foundation stone of the University of Peshawar.

The UOP thus holds the distinction of being the first university established in Pakistan, following independence in 1947. It was preceded only by the University of the Punjab and the University of Dhaka which were both founded prior to Partition.

Today, the university has expanded into many departments, centres of excellence, academies and constituent colleges. It has a student body of over 30,000. The pupils, both male and female, are enrolled into BS, MS, MPhil and doctorate programmes. 200 foreign students from several countries including Afghanistan are also receiving education here.

Seven mega-events including homecoming parade, art exhibition, month-long campus radio transmission, Facebook live shows, sports gala, poetry recitation sessions, food festival and live performances heightened the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of UOP. These events were organised by students, in collaboration with faculty members.

The 75th year’s celebrations, started on October 1, came to an end on the founding day of the Peshawar University. Old and current students, dignitaries, faculty members and families showed up for the final event.

Some of the alumni and academicians complained that, recently, due to a shortage of funds and low student turnout, the university has rolled back eight programmes. Some said that amid a host of factors, pension liabilities of the university’s retired employees were also pending.

Sandnce its inception, the University of Peshawar was envisioned not simply as a regional institution but as a scholarly conduit to Central Asia, a place where academic inquiry would transcend geographical boundaries and disciplinary confines.

Its location in Peshawar, a city historically positioned at the nexus of trade, migration and empire, endowed the university with profound geopolitical and cultural significance. Today, the University is spread over more than 1,212 acres, with an additional 67-acre summer campus at Bara Gali, situated at an altitude of about 8,000 feet above sea level. It comprises six faculties and more than 35 departments. The faculty strength is close to 500.

Over the decades, the University of Peshawar has evolved into a comprehensive academic ecosystem, initially including the Khyber Medical and Dental Colleges, the University of Engineering and Technology; and now comprising various academic departments and research centres, Jinnah College for Women, the College of Home Economics, the Khyber Law College, and the Quaid-i-Azam College of Commerce which was established through the financial patronage of Quaid-i-Azam and inaugurated by his sister Fatima Jinnah.

Throughout its history, the University of Peshawar has been more than a centre of higher education; it has served as a crucible of intellectual resistance. From student-led movements to faculty-driven critiques, the university has consistently provided a platform for progressive thought and democratic engagement.

As the oldest public sector university in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, University of Peshawar has played a seminal role in shaping the intellectual contours of the region. Its alumni have gone on to serve as vice-chancellors, educators, policymakers, politicians, scientists, artists and public intellectuals, both within Pakistan and across the globe.

The celebrations were a tribute to the generations of students and scholars who have passed through its corridors and pathways, each contributing to its legacy of excellence and equity.

Whether through expanding its research initiatives, digitising its archival resources, or advancing inclusive pedagogies, the University of Peshawar possesses the potential to remain a beacon of learning in an increasingly complex world.

“In celebrating 75 years of the University of Peshawar, we honour not merely an institution, but a living legacy; a space where history converges with hope and where every classroom reverberates with the promise of possibility,” a faculty member said on the occasion.

An event was organised by the College of Home Economics, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation. It coincided with the celebration of World Food Day and was observed on campus with great enthusiasm and purpose.

An exhibition showcased an impressive collection of artworks, including paintings by renowned Pakistani masters such as Abdul Rehman Chughtai, Sadeqain, Muhammad Rafiq, Ghulam Rasool and Mansoor Rahi. The work of prominent KP-based artists, including Tayyaba Aziz, Jehanzeb Malik, Fakhr-uz Zamaan (Uncle Tony), Naveed Shabbir, Ghulam Shabbir, Farida Rashid and Younas Masood, was also on display.

Tayyaba Aziz graced the 75th anniversary as the chief guest, praising the university’s efforts in promoting art and culture. The exhibition was organised by Shadab Khalil, Sonia Rauf and Qurratulain, who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.

It was followed by an event where, for the first time in its history, the University of Peshawar proudly hosted a Homecoming Parade to celebrate 75 years of academic excellence. The parade began at PUTA Square, continued along Road No 2 and passed in front of the Convocation Hall, where the vice chancellor, Prof Dr Johar Ali, the deans and the heads of departments stood to watch, cheer and encourage the participants. It concluded at the ground in front of the Administration Block.

The homecoming parade was conducted in a unique and symbolic sequence, beginning with the youngest members of the campus - nursery students, followed by students from the University Public School and University Model School, the university’s constituent schools. They were followed by students from Jinnah College for Women and the College of Home Economics, representing the university’s constituent colleges. This thoughtful progression highlighted the educational journey from early learning to higher education.

Each participating unit showcased its identity and achievements through creative displays, floats, artwork, posters and student-led performances. In total, more than 1,500 students actively participated in the parade. Thousands of their peers lined the route to watch, support and celebrate this historic moment.

A highlight of the event was the formation of a Human 75 by the students. The formation symbolised university’s 75 year journey.

In the end, Prof Dr Johar Ali, the vice chancellor, extended hearty congratulations to all departments, students, faculty and organisers whose dedication had made all the events successful.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. His X handle: @Shinwar-9