The department of English at the Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, was set up in 1975 when this University came into existence. It started working in a rented building at Gulgasht Colony, Multan. In 1980, it was moved to the Institute of Languages (IOL) Block on Campus of the University. The Department offers a wide range of activities in language, literature and linguistics.

The Master’s degree programme is predominantly a literature-based course with some components of modern linguistics. M.Sc. in Applied Linguistics, is, assuredly, a new programme of studies which prepares candidates for an effective teaching at all levels of teaching English as a second/foreign language. Diploma in ELT is also aimed at improving the linguistic and pedagogical competance of those who have already earned Master’s Degree in English Literature.

The Department has started M.Phil. Programme in Linguistics so that the aspiring candidates may be able to do Doctoral research for which M.Phil. is a necessary condition. This programme is meant for rigorous training in the field of linguistics. Candidates for Ph.D. programme have already been registered. Information regarding M.Phil./Ph.D. programme may be obtained from Chairman of the Department. Advanced diploma in literature is meant for the students who have already earned their Master’s degree and want to update their knowledge and want to acquaint themselves with recent developments in the field of literature and critical theory.

Spoken English programme is aimed at improving the communicative competence of students. The department also offers tailor-made courses to cater for the needs of people belonging to different professions and institutions. In order to help the university students to cope with the problems which they face while studying their respective subjects in English, the Department of English has introduced a Study Skills in English course which will not only give them training in study skills but will also be helpful in improving their proficiency in English Language. Other short courses include IELTS/TOEFL and CSS/PCS preparatory courses.

Dr. Shirin Zubair's current interests include literacy and gender in multilingual communities, social uses of literacy as well as issues related to gender and power. She has published research papers on various aspects of ELT, sociolinguistics, and literacy use.

Dr. Zafar Iqbal’s main interest lies in the area of dictionary making for non-native speakers of English. He has written papers on several aspects of lexicology, lexicography, and applied linguistics. Five doctoral researches are already in progress under his supervision in the field of ESP, language varieties, contrastive analysis, and lexicology.

Dr. Mobina Talat has published several papers on Pakistani English. Her other research interests include research methodology in non-native English language varieties, stylistics, reading skill in second language and language pedagogy.

Dr. Farida Yousaf is interested in comparative study of literature. She has written extensively on various comparative aspects of Urdu and English Literature. American Literature is another field of her specialization.

Mrs. Saiqa Imtiaz Asif has worked in the area of Siraiki Phonetics and Phonology. Her other research interests include ELT, ESP, teacher education and professional development. She has published several research papers related to these topics.

Mr. Naveed is currently involved in research in the field of legal English and genre analysis. He is also interested in teaching English as a foreign language with particular reference to Pakistan. He has published a number of research papers in the field of applied linguistics.

Mrs. Qamar Khushi Ijaz’s current research interests include ESP with particular reference to English for army personnel. She is also interested in teacher education.

Mr. Tariq Saeed has done research in the fields of syllabus designing, corpus linguistics, and phonetics & phonology. His current research interests include ELT; ESP; language teacher education; discourse analysis; stylistics; language, power and ideology; instrumental analysis of speech; and computer assisted language learning (CALL). He is also interested in forensic and clinical linguistics.

Mr. Aleem Shakir is currently involved in advance research in the field of English for Occupational Purposes (EOP). His major focus is on the communicative needs of the hotel industry staff in Pakistan. He has already carried out research on ‘Fore grounded Irregularites in E.E. Cummings’s Poetry’. Many research projects on various aspects of Applied Linguistics are in progress under his supervision. He has published one research paper on EOP. He is also interested in English for Business purposes (EBP).

Research Facilities

The department now has the distinction of having the largest number of linguists and prominent researchers at one place in the BZU, making this institution unique in the country and also an ideal place for promoting research in linguistics.

There is a library in the department with a modest stock of 5000 books on linguistics and applied linguistics. It is meant to cater for research activities at higher academic levels. It should be mentioned that the main stock of books on English language and literature is available in the central library situated some yards away from the department.

A Reference Collection Cell/archives unit has been established to make relevant material readily available to research students.