AIOU Notifies Ph.D. Award to Scholar Allama Syed Mohsin Ali Shah

(Press Release)

ISLAMABAD — Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has officially notified the award of a Ph.D. degree in Islamic Studies to scholar Allama Syed Mohsin Ali Shah, following the successful public defense of his advanced doctoral research.

According to the official notification issued by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, Mr. Shah has completed all academic requirements, including the strict quality criteria established by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The scholar achieved an outstanding academic record, securing an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.87 out of 4.00, equivalent to a final aggregate score of 82% and an ‘A-‘ grade.

Groundbreaking Financial Research

Dr. Mohsin Ali Shah’s doctoral thesis, titled “ISLAMIC BANKING IN PAKISTAN: ECONOMIC IMPACT OF SELECTED PRODUCTS,” directly addresses contemporary financial systems and evaluates their practical economic implications across the national landscape. Given Pakistan’s ongoing transition toward interest-free economic models, his data-driven research offers vital insights for financial policymakers and banking institutions.

Reflecting the academic rigor of his work, a portion of his research findings has already been published in the HEC-recognized, “Y”-category national research journal “Al-Manhal”.

High-Profile Evaluation Panel

The final academic milestone was concluded at the main campus in Islamabad following a rigorous viva voce examination. The public defense session was evaluated by an elite panel of national and international experts:

  • Primary Supervisor & Chair: Prof. Dr. Mohyuddin Hashimi, Dean of the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, AIOU.
  • Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Syed M. Amir Shah, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
  • National External Committee: Prof. Dr. Ghulam Hussain (Barani Rehmutul-lil-Alameen Authority/University, Rawalpindi) and Dr. Shahzadi Pakeeza (Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi).
  • International Reviewers: Dr. Arshad Islam (Associate Professor, International Islamic University, Malaysia) and Dr. Syed Abdul Majid Ghouri (Islamic Science University of Malaysia – USIM).

Following an in-depth question-and-answer session, the evaluation board unanimously approved the thesis, commending Dr. Shah’s valuable insights into the growth, regulatory frameworks, and operational models of Islamic finance in the country.

The formal transcript has been finalized under the authority of the Controller of Examinations, Muhammad Zahid Akhtar Khaki. Senior faculty members, university officials, and research peers have extended their warmest congratulations to Dr. Mohsin Ali Shah on attaining this prestigious academic distinction.