Syed Jamal Shah , Federal Minister
The Prime Minister has appointed Syed Jamal Shah as care-taker Federal Minister of National Heritage & Culture Division vide Cabinet Division’s Notification No. 2-2/2023-Min.I dated 17th August, 2023.
Jamal Shah is an artist, writer, filmmaker, Educationist and social worker was born in Quetta. He completed his masters in English literature from Balochistan University and joined NCA for a degree in Fine Arts with a major in Sculpture. Completing his 4 years' professional studies, returned to Quetta where he set up the Department of Fine Arts in Balochistan University, chaired the department for 3 years and went on a British Council scholarship to do a masters in print making from The Slade School of Arts London.
ART
Trained in various disciplines of Visual Arts, his forte remains sculpture. He also has the distinction of being the first Graduate in sculpture from NCA. He has been a prolific artist throughout his carrier and has exhibited vastly in Pakistan and internationally. He is the recipient of many awards including Gold medal in the 5th Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka His work is part of permanent collection in Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Fukouka Museum Japan. He has done many important commissioned projects in Pakistan and abroad
TV, FILM, MUSIC & THEATRE
Jamal Shah joined TV in 1976 as a singer and composer and has been part of the most noted Pashto Musical programming for 15 years and became one of the most revered singers. People in the Pashtoon belt of Pakistan and Afghanistan still expects music from Jamal Shah. As an actor, he has achieved the image of a serious, committed and extremely choosy actor, never compromises on content and quality. He has done many Serials, Tele films and a Soup on PTV and other Pakistani channels. Jamal Shah has also acted in International projects such as TRAFFIK a channel 4 production and the recipient of 11 international awards and a Hollywood feature film K2.
As Director and script writer, He has landmark productions such as, Palay Shah, Barish Ke Baad, Kal, MDMR, Darckola, Bazeecha, Kohkan and Geet Aur Goli for television and Panja Shianja, Tamaasha, Bazeecha and Yehan Se Sheher ko Dekho. He has written produced and directed "REVENGE OF THE WORTHLESS" a film on violent extremism.
EDUCATIONIST AND SOCIAL WORKER
Jamal Shah has dedicated most of his time and resources towards the promotion and propagation of Art and culture in Pakistan. He was responsible for establishing The Fine Arts Department in his home town Quetta and Studio Gandhara in Islamabad. Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts is his most important contribution to Islamabad and Lahore. He has been sponsoring this not for profit Art Institution since 1992. He has been on boards of governors of many Art Institutions and cultural bodies. Besides Hunerkada he has been teaching and giving workshops and lectures in NCA and all other Art schools in Pakistan. Jamal Shah has also supported causes such as Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital Trust by organizing 3 fund raising Art auctions for it and Donating his work for meaningful causes. Jamal Shah also organized Art Aid, a big Live Art Auction in collaboration with PTV and raised funds for the victims of October 2007 Earthquake, the flood effected people in KPK and the recent earthquake affectees in Swat, Chitral and Buner. He has been a vocal supporter of human rights in the country.