Department of English

Overview:

The English Department of Government Graduate College, Sahiwal is offering Language and Literature related degree programmes at BS level.

The Department of English stimulates the intellectual development of our students through the production and analysis of diverse texts. It promotes close reading, information literacy, effective communication, and critical thinking. It is committed to diversity and inclusion; we seek to ensure a learning environment in which all students and staff – regardless of gender, economic background, religion, race, ethnicity, or disability – feel they are a part of an intellectual community and thrive in their work.

English is a global language, and the study of English encompasses many literatures. The study of literature in English is one of the most rigorous and enlivening scholarly exercises an undergraduate student can engage in. With a canon that captures both the classic and the contemporary, literature in English remains vital and relevant for any coherent understanding of the world. To train as a scholar of literature is to train the mind to ask incisive and critical questions, the hand to write persuasively and effectively, the eye to see beyond the obvious meanings of texts and images, the voice to orate, and the heart to empathise with the greater human experience.

History:

English Department is one of the oldest departments of this college as its history dates back to some prominent and legendary names like Prof. Raja Abdul Qadir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Bhalli, Prof. Ghulam Murtaza Ch., Prof. Shahid Hameed and Prof. Abdul Ghani who enriched the department with their scholarly vision, literary taste and mastery over English grammar.

In 1980, Prof. Khawaja Salah-ud-Din became the regular head of the department. He with his colleagues contributed a lot and opened up new horizons of English language and literature for the students and faculty. Later on, he became the Principal of the college and did untiring efforts to enhance the prestige and integrity of this valued institution.

In 1988, Prof. Syed Ali Azhar Naqvi became the head of the department. He with his colleagues, Prof. Dildar Pervez Bhatti, Prof. Shoukat Ali, Prof. Anwar-ul-Haq, Prof. Mian Farooq Tahir, Prof. Bashir Ahmad Gill, Prof. Iqbal Paras and Prof. Ahmad Raza accelerated the momentum of the department set by their predecessors.

In 1993, the department started its first class of Masters in English language and literature in the old campus where Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education is situated nowadays. Prof. Syed Ali Azhar Naqvi with the assistance of his colleagues, Prof. Ch. Muhammad Ali, Prof. Mukhtar Ahmad Khan, Prof. Muhammad Nawaz Malik, Prof. Sakhawat Ali Qamar, Prof. Muhammad Arshad, Prof. Abdul Latif and Prof. Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad not only hailed it warmly but also put their entire efforts whole heartedly to make it successful.

In 2001, Prof. Akhlaq Hussain became the Head of the department and ran it smoothly and efficiently. Later on, he became the Principal of this institute. He initiated and completed many developmental projects in the college during his tenure which are an asset for this college.

In 2010, Prof. Mukhtar Ahmad Khan became the head of the department. It was the time when HED launched BS four years programme to replace B.A/B.Sc. All the members of the faculty under the dynamic headship of Prof. Mukhtar Ahmad Khan  accepted this challenge and made it successful which is still going on with full devotion, sincerity and zeal and zest on the part of the faculty.

In 2016, Prof. Rana Muhammad Akram took the responsibility of the headship of the department. He worked very hard to systemize BS programme because he himself was chief coordinator of BS English.  He created cordial environment in the department. He with his serene and calm nature, sympathetic attitude, cooperative behaviour created harmony among the colleagues which is an integral part for the smooth working environment. Later on, he became vice Principal of the college and performed his duties efficiently till his retirement.

From 2019 to Feb 2022 English department has been contributing a lot in academic, administrative and other affairs of the college under the visionary and vibrant headship of Prof. Tahir Islam. In March, 2022, Prof. Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad, the most humble of the lot took the responsibility of the Department as a Head. The department has produced many distinguished personalities who are serving the humanity nationally and internationally. Present members of the faculty are the testimony of the fact as most of them are direct students of the legendary professors mentioned above.