Anthropologyqau

22/05/2026

On 14th May 2026, Rabia Jawed, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, successfully defended her thesis titled “Navigating New Frontiers through an Anthropological Analysis of New Reproductive Technologies and Reproductive Health in Pakistan’’. Her research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Anwaar Mohy-ud-Din. The external examiners were Dr. Anwar Iqbal Shaheen and Dr. Aysha Sheraz.
The research examined the socio-cultural dimensions of reproductive health, new reproductive technologies (NRTs), and women’s reproductive rights in Pakistan through an anthropological lens. Conducted over one year at the Mother & Child Health Centre of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, the study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design involving a survey of 383 respondents alongside participant observation, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies. The findings revealed that reproductive health in Pakistan is deeply shaped by cultural norms, gender expectations, social stigma, limited awareness, patriarchal structures, and unequal access to healthcare services and reproductive technologies. The research further highlighted barriers such as illiteracy, financial constraints, religious and socio-cultural perceptions, and restricted decision-making power for women regarding reproductive choices. The study concluded that ensuring equitable, informed, and culturally sensitive reproductive healthcare, including access to modern reproductive technologies, is essential not only for public health but also for advancing social justice, women’s empowerment, and human rights in Pakistan.

Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid congratulated Dr. Rabia Jawad on this academic achievement and thanked the faculty members, students, and audience for their presence and engagement.

22/05/2026

On 14th May 2026, Tafakhar Ali , a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, successfully defended his thesis titled “ Dynamics of Successful Aging and Power: A Narrative Analysis of Early Life Experiences in Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir”. His research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Aneela Sultana. The external examiners were Prof. Dr. Jameel Ahmed and Dr. Anwar Iqbal Shaheen.
This ethnographic study anthropologically explores the dynamics of successful ageing through the lived experiences of older adults in Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, a region undergoing demographic transition alongside rapid social change. Drawing on Bourdieu’s concept of social capital and Gramsci’s notion of cultural hegemony, the research examines how physical, financial, and social power shape autonomy, identity, and well-being in later life. Conducted over 18 months through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with older adults aged 60 to 90, including retired bureaucrats, academicians, judges, professionals, political and religious leaders, the study highlights ageing as a negotiated and relational experience influenced by shifting social roles, mobility restrictions, changing family dynamics, and evolving cultural values. The findings reveal the growing importance of social and religious ties for emotional well-being, the gendered dimensions of ageing, and the ways older women often experience greater social freedom in later life. A significant contribution of the study is the identification of a cultural shift from Khidmat (material care) to Raffaqat (companionship), emphasizing emotional support, meaningful engagement, dignity, and social inclusion for older adults. The research offers an important anthropological contribution to ageing studies in Pakistan and provides policy insights for promoting the well-being and quality of life of older adults.
Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid congratulated Dr. Tafakhar Ali on this academic achievement and thanked the faculty members, students, and audience for their presence and engagement.

21/04/2026

ADMISSIONS OPEN FALL-2026

Applications are invited from Pakistani and Foreign Nationals for admission to the following Programmes of study

Undergraduate Programmes (BS & LLB) on
Regular/Self-Finance Basis
Deadline for submission of the application
10/08/2026

Pharm.D
Regular/Self-Finance Basis
Deadline for submission of the Application
22/09/2026

M.Phil
Graduate programmes on Regular Basis
Deadline for submission of the Application
21/08/2026

Ph.D
Programmes on Regular Basis
The deadline for submission of the application is
21/08/2026

Admissions on Self-Support Basis
BS /LLB (18/08/2026)
Pharm D (29/09/2026)
MPhil/MS (21/08/2026)
Post Graduate Diploma (21/08/2026)

For detailed advertisement, please visit the QAU website www.qau.edu.pk

16/04/2026

On 15th April 2026, Riaz Ahmad Muazzmi, successfully defended his PhD thesis titled “The concept of Khula in Pakistan: Exploring the socio-legal dynamics (A Case study of Mandi Baha-ud-Din, Punjab). The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Aneela Sultana and evaluated by external examiners Prof. Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman and Dr. Anwar Iqbal Shaheen.
This study examines the socio-legal challenges faced by women in Mandi Baha-ud-Din, Pakistan, when seeking divorce through Khula. Although Khula is legally recognized in Islamic law, the research finds that its practical implementation is constrained by patriarchal norms, cultural expectations, and institutional barriers, particularly in rural contexts. Using a qualitative case study approach with interviews, focus groups, and thematic analysis of responses from women, lawyers, mediators, and religious figures, the study highlights how legal procedures, interpretations of religion, and family pressures limit women’s agency. Factors such as domestic violence, neglect, infertility stigma, and economic exploitation often drive women to seek Khula, yet they encounter procedural inefficiencies, social stigma, and emotional distress both during and after the process. The findings suggest that while Khula offers a formal avenue for women’s empowerment, in practice it operates as a negotiated and constrained form of agency, shaped by unequal gender relations, cultural norms, and the attitudes of legal and religious authorities.
Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid extended her congratulations to Dr. Riaz Ahmad Muazzmi on this significant academic achievement and appreciated the presence and engagement of faculty members, students, and attendees during the online viva voce.

09/04/2026

On 7th April 2026, Faiza Faisal successfully defended her PhD thesis titled “COVID-19 Pandemic: Work from Home and its Impact on Work-Life Balance, Family Relationships, and Wellbeing of IT Professionals of Pakistan.” The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Waheed Chaudhry and evaluated by external examiners Prof. Dr. Jameel Ahmed and Dr. Ayesha Sheeraz Naaz.
This qualitative study offers a timely and critical examination of the transformation of work practices during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on Pakistan’s rapidly growing IT sector, the research employed digital ethnography. The findings highlight the initial challenges of blurred work-life boundaries, increased workload, and continuous connectivity. However, participants demonstrated adaptive strategies over time, including the use of digital tools, dedicated workspaces, and improved time management. The study further emphasizes the importance of organizational support for flexible work arrangements and employee wellbeing. Notably, female participants underscored the significance of family and institutional support in balancing professional and domestic responsibilities, identifying work-from-home as a meaningful opportunity for career progression. A strong preference for hybrid work models also emerged across respondents.
Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid extended her congratulations to Dr. Faiza Faisal on this significant academic achievement and appreciated the presence and engagement of faculty members, students, and attendees during the viva voce.

09/04/2026

On 7th April 2026, Samia Zulfiqar successfully defended her PhD thesis titled “Exploring Brain Waste and Brain Drain in the Pakistani Healthcare System: Political Economy Analysis in Anthropological Perspective” The research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Anwaar Mohy-ud-Din and evaluated by external examiners Dr. Syed Anwar Iqbal and Dr. Ayesha Sheeraz Naaz.
The study offers an anthropological reflection on the lived experiences of doctors regarding brain waste and brain drain within Pakistan’s healthcare system, contributing to the political economy of health by situating these processes in a specific cultural context. It highlights a structural paradox where severe shortages of doctors coexist with unemployment and professional stagnation due to weak infrastructure, poor governance, limited resources, and workforce inefficiencies. Based on qualitative research conducted in Rawalpindi and Islamabad across major public and private hospitals, the study draws on surveys and in-depth interviews with employed and unemployed doctors, revealing a predominantly young cohort vulnerable to underemployment and inclined toward migration. Thematic analysis identifies economic constraints, administrative failures, cultural norms, gender disparities, and limited career mobility as key drivers, interpreted through a political economy framework and a feminist lens that foregrounds patriarchy and the “doctor brides” phenomenon. The findings reveal that brain waste is not merely an outcome, but a driver of brain drain, intensifying the Human Resources for Health crisis. With significant annual emigration of doctors and high female attrition, the study demonstrates how material conditions, political instability, governance failures, and social norms interact to sustain this crisis, and calls for targeted reforms focused on resource allocation, accountability, and alignment of policy with lived realities.
Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid extended her congratulations to Dr. Samia Zulfiqar on this significant academic achievement and appreciated the presence and engagement of faculty members, students, and attendees during the viva voce.

05/03/2026

On 3rd March 2026, Taskeen Mansoor, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Quaid-i-Azam University, successfully defended her thesis titled:
“Reframing Normalcy in Dis/ability Worlds: Wheelchair Users’ Narratives of Ableism, Disablism and Disability Activism.”
The research was supervised by Dr. Saadia Abid, and the PhD Viva Voce was evaluated by external examiners Prof. Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman and Prof. Dr. Arab Naaz.
The dissertation examines the evolving landscape of disability initiatives in Pakistan, highlighting how disabled persons act as political agents through Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) and advocacy. Using anthropological theory and the lens of disability expertise, the study explores how wheelchair users navigate ableism, disablism, and create inclusive social spaces that challenge conventional ideas of normalcy.
Based on a two-year ethnography (2022–2024), including participant observation, go-along interviews, and in-depth conversations with 30 wheelchair users from central and southern Punjab, the research focuses on activists who lead DPOs, foster solidarity, and promote rights-based approaches to disability. The findings highlight the limits of charity-based or compliance-focused initiatives and emphasize the transformative potential of collective action and cultural agency.
Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid congratulated Dr. Taskeen Mansoor on this academic achievement and thanked the faculty members, students, and audience for their presence and engagement.

04/03/2026

On 3rd March 2026, Abdul Samad Akbar, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, successfully defended his thesis titled
“Analysis of Political Economy of Rod Kohi: A Qualitative Study of Koh-e-Sulaiman Range South Punjab, Pakistan.”
His research was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Anwaar Mohy-ud-Din. The external examiners were Prof. Dr. Arab Naaz and Dr. Haroon-ur-Rashid.
The research critically examines how local feudal elites manipulate floodwaters for political and economic advantage, while agrarian communities develop indigenous coping mechanisms to manage recurring flash floods. Drawing upon political economy theory, social capital theory, socio-ecological resilience theory, and patron-client theory, the study proposes a Hybrid Model to better understand the interaction between elite control and community resilience.
Using an ethnographic approach based on participant observation, in-depth interviews, and informal discussions, the research highlights the centrality of Biraderi networks, kinship ties, and collective action in shaping flood management practices. It also interrogates the limits of existing theoretical frameworks when confronted with complex local realities.
Conducted over a period of two years of intensive fieldwork, the dissertation makes a significant contribution to scholarship on disaster anthropology, political ecology, and climate resilience in South Punjab, Pakistan.
Chairperson Dr. Saadia Abid congratulated Dr. Abdul Samad Akbar on this academic achievement and thanked the faculty members, students, and audience for their presence and engagement.

27/01/2026

26/01/2026

Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
Admissions Open
MPhil Anthropology (Spring 2026)
Applications are invited from Pakistani and foreign nationals for admission to the MPhil Anthropology program, Spring 2026.
Last date to apply: 28 January 2026
Area of Study: Cultural Change and Development, Ethnographic Studies, Cultural Diversity and Integration.:
Eligibility Requirement: MA/MSc/BS (4-years) degree or its equivalent in Anthropology/Gender Studies/Behavioral Sciences/ Social Sciences from HEC recognized university.
About the Discipline of Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humans and their societies across time and place. It explores culture, social life, beliefs, and economic and political systems to understand how people live and make meaning. Social anthropologists compare societies using close, in-depth research, especially ethnography, to explain human behavior in everyday contexts.
About the Department
Established in 1974 through academic collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania (USA) and Heidelberg University (Germany), the Department of Anthropology at Quaid-i-Azam University is the pioneer and only full-fledged anthropology department in Pakistan, offering BS, MPhil, and PhD programs. The department regularly hosts national and international scholars and organizes academic events on key social issues, including migration, disaster management, education, health, and population.
Graduate Placement and Career Opportunities
Graduates of the department work in diverse sectors, including national and international development organizations, United Nations agencies, academia, research institutions, and the public and private sectors. Many alumni hold faculty positions in Pakistan and abroad and have received prestigious international scholarships for advanced studies at leading universities worldwide.
Test: 03 February 2026 (Tuesday) at the Department of Anthropology QAU
For details:
https://qau.edu.pk/admission-notice-for-mphil-ms-programme-spring-semester-2026/