Promoting Peace Education Through Arts and Literature in Pakistani Universities

Abstract

Peace education plays a fundamental role in promoting justice, equality and non-violence. However, the question of propagating peace education through arts and literature in Pakistani universities remains deeply unexplored and untouched due to socio-political challenges. The prime objective of this study is to investigate the role of Pakistani universities in promoting peace education specifically through arts and literature. The research focuses on the Greene-Nussbaum Model which highlights the transformative power of arts and literature in promoting moral imagination and empathy. Using a qualitative research approach, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 100 respondents from ten universities across Pakistan. The findings indicated clear regional disparities with Punjab and Sindh showing more active engagement through cultural festivals and artistic initiatives, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan face significant socio-political constraints which limits their efforts to mere symbolic gestures. Despite these challenges, arts and literature offer promising avenues for promotion of peace but it requires structural and policy-level reforms for sustainability. This study highlights the realities of peace education in Pakistan thus, inviting for further investigation into its untapped potential.