The first seeds of the University may be said to have been sown by Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, who boldly conceived the idea and founded Islamia College - (The Dar-ul-ulum Islamia) in 1913 at the first out-post of civilization, almost at the mouth of the historic Khyber Pass. The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who perhaps saw the strategic role of Peshawar in his mind, on April the 12th, 1948, while addressing the students and teachers of the Islamia Collage Peshawar

The University of Peshawar, being a mother Institution of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not only catering for the academic needs of Peshawar but also of the whole province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The highly qualified and trained faculty, student friendly and supportive administration, modern curricula, conductive academic environment and excellent infrastructure are the hallmarks of the University. Its role in political, industrial and government leadership is recognized. The University has an over whelming contribution in bringing positive changes in the society.