Ikramullah Shahid

Ikramullah Shahid was a distinguished writer, social activist, public intellectual, and seasoned politician whose public life spanned more than five decades. He was born on June 12, 1949, in Mardan, into a family deeply rooted in scholarly and patriotic traditions. His father, Maulana Midrar Ullah Midrar, was a key figure in the Pakistan Independence Movement, and this legacy of service and scholarship profoundly influenced Ikram Ullah Shahid's life.

Professionally, Ikramullah Shahid was an advocate of High Court, widely respected for his integrity and commitment to justice. His respect for religious scholars (Ulema) was evident throughout his life, and he maintained strong ties with the religious community. He was a devout lover of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and was passionately committed to defending the belief in the Finality of Prophethood (Aqeeda e Khatm-e-Naboowwat). He was an active member of the Aalami Majlis-e-Khatm-e-Naboowat, Mardan and consistently defended this belief throughout his life through his writings and speeches.

Academically, Ikram Ullah Shahid had a distinguished background. He earned a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies from the University of Peshawar, followed by an LLB from the University of Karachi. Despite his active political and social engagements, he remained deeply committed to academic research, publishing numerous articles and research papers in various journals and magazines. His pursuit of knowledge led him to complete an M.Phil. in Iqbal Studies from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, where his dissertation focused on “Iqbal and Afghanistan.” He was also enrolled in a Ph.D. program, with his research centered on “Iqbal and Afghan Personalities,” but unfortunately, he was unable to complete it due to health issues.

In politics, Ikramullah Shahid’s career was marked by dedication and service. He entered the political arena in 1979, being elected as a Councilor and then Chairman of the Municipal Committee Mardan. He was re-elected in 1983, holding the same positions, and served a third consecutive term as a Councilor. In the 2002 general elections, he contested on the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) ticket and was elected as a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA). He subsequently served as the Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly from November 27, 2002. He remained the Deputy Speaker of the assembly till March 21, 2006.

From the 1970s until 2024, he remained actively engaged in political, social, and literary spheres, dedicating his life to the service of society and the advancement of democratic values. Through his writings, speeches, activism, and political work, he inspired countless individuals and contributed meaningfully to public discourse. As an author of numerous books and articles, he used the power of the written word to document history, promote social awareness, and encourage critical thinking. This digital archive has been established to preserve his intellectual legacy, document his lifelong contributions, and provide future generations with access to his writings, photographs, speeches, memories, and historical records.

In the later part of his life, Ikramullah Shahid became deeply engaged in scholarly and research activities. He wrote and published more than 10 books on various topics, further solidifying his reputation as a dedicated scholar and intellectual.

Ikram Ullah Shahid passed away on June 26, 2024. His funeral was led by his son Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, and was attended by a large number of people from various walks of life, reflecting the deep respect and admiration he garnered throughout his life.