The Department of Education at Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, organised a guest lecture and book discussion titled Reflections and Insights with Dr. Shahid Siddiqui, author of Rethinking Education in Pakistan, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at Hladia Hall.

The session commenced with recitations from the Holy Quran by Hania Saleem and the Holy Bible by Shanzay Zahoor. Aania Rahman, Habiba Fatima, and Arooj Jamil conducted the programme.

The event featured insightful reflections by Dr. Salma Nazar Khan, Educational Consultant, and Dr. Tayyaba Tamim, Dean, School of Education, LUMS, who discussed the significance of Rethinking Education in Pakistan and its contribution to the broader educational discourse in the country.

In his keynote address, Dr. Shahid Siddiqui highlighted some of the key challenges confronting Pakistan’s education system, particularly the large number of out-of-school children and declining public expenditure on education. He emphasised the need to rethink existing approaches to education and advocated for a greater focus on learner-centred teaching and learning.

The keynote address was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session with students, providing an opportunity for participants to engage directly with Dr. Siddiqui and explore key themes raised during the discussion.

In her closing remarks, Principal Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum expressed concern over the declining culture of book reading and emphasised the importance of encouraging students to engage with books and ideas. She recommended that Dr. Siddiqui’s books be incorporated into the curriculum to further promote critical thinking and meaningful engagement with contemporary educational issues.

The programme concluded with the presentation of commemorative souvenirs by Prof. Dr. Iram Anjum to the distinguished guest speakers in recognition of their participation and contribution to the session.

The event was attended by Kinnaird College leadership, faculty members, and students from various academic departments, including Education, English, Economics, Business Studies, and Political Science. The session provided a valuable platform for academic dialogue and reflection on the challenges, possibilities, and future directions of education in Pakistan.