A Selection of Lectures
Role of Women in the Nationalist Movement
Seminar arranged by Bacha Khan Markaz on Women Rights and their role in the cause put forward by Abdul Ghaffar Khan — Bacha Khan — and the Khudai Khidmatgars. Prof. Dr. Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah elaborated upon Bacha Khan's approach to the uplift of women in Pashtoon society, noting that "an educated woman is an asset to the country and society." He gave examples of prominent Khudai Khidmatgars who actively educated their daughters, who later became doctors, educationalists, politicians and social workers.
Witness to History: A Personal Account of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Prof. Dr. Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah was an eyewitness when the Red Army marched into Kabul on the fateful winter night of 27th December 1979. He mesmerized the audience with his narration of the Soviet troops' arrival at Kabul, the ouster and assassination of Hafizullah Amin, and the occupation of Kabul. Part 1 covers Afghanistan's history specifically; Part 2 provides the personal eyewitness account of events as they unfolded.
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Non-violence, Bacha Khan and the Pashtoons
In honor of International Non-violence Day, the Pashtoon Student Council of QAU arranged this seminar on 2nd October 2019. Prof. Dr. Shah — an international expert on Abdul Ghaffar Khan and the Khudai Khidmatgar Movement — quoted Bacha Khan: "Nonviolence is a power and has an army just like violence, but its weapon is preaching while the weapon of violence is gun."
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Qissa Khwani Massacre – April 1930: A Forgotten Chapter of History
In remembrance of the martyrs of Peshawar who sacrificed themselves for freedom. An authentic account of the Qissa Khwani Bazar massacre of 23rd April 1930, recounting how innocent and unarmed people were brutally massacred by the Colonial authorities. Dr. Shah's related article "The 1930 Civil Disobedience Movement in Peshawar Valley from the Pashtoon Perspective" provides the scholarly context.
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Abdul Ghani Khan: His Life and Times
On the occasion of Ghani Khan's 105th Birthday, the Pashtoon Student Council of QAU arranged this seminar. Prof. Shah elaborated on Abdul Ghani Khan's life — particularly his time at Shantiniketan (Calcutta) under Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore, his encounters with Gandhi, Nehru and other great leaders, and his political journey. Ghani Khan's poetry was also recited: "Zor hasay peghor shee che himmat warsara mal na shi…"
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Sindh: History & Culture — Identity Crisis and the Responsibilities of Pakistani Historians
An international conference jointly organized by Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur and the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, QAU, in collaboration with the HEC. Prof. Dr. Wiqar Ali Shah presented "Identity Crisis and the Responsibilities of the Present Pakistani Historians" and argued for rewriting Pakistan's history with special focus on regional history and progressive leaders.
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Pakistan Resolution Day 1940 — 23rd March Celebration
Invited as Chief Guest at Lawrence College's Pakistan Day celebrations, Prof. Shah urged students to rededicate themselves to the cause of Pakistan: "We need to face the challenges and contribute to nation-building by focusing on studies, acquiring maximum knowledge and excellent character." He named peace icons Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Abdur Sattar Edhi, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela as models for peace, stability and harmony.
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Mother Tongues Day — Khushal Khan Khattak & Pashto
To commemorate International Mother Language Day, PNCA arranged this event where Prof. Shah was one of the main speakers. He insisted upon the adoption of Pashto as a national language of Pakistan and warned that its neglect would negatively affect the whole nation. His closing message: "Pashto Waya, Pashto Leeka, Pashto Lwala — Speak Pashto, Write Pashto, Read Pashto."
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