Dr. Niaz Ali Successfully Defends PhD Thesis in Economics

Campus News

Dr. Niaz Ali Successfully Defends PhD Thesis at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

Mardan  |  25 August 2026  |  Department of Economics, AWKUM

Glimpses from the public PhD defence held at the Central Library, AWKUM

Mardan: Dr. Niaz Ali, PhD Scholar in the Department of Economics at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, successfully defended his PhD thesis in a public defence held on 25 August 2026 at the Central Library of the University.

His thesis, titled “Exploring the Role of Political Business Cycles in Economic Policies and Outcomes in Pakistan,” examines the influence of political business cycles on economic policymaking and outcomes in the country. The research addresses an important and policy-relevant area of economics and contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between political processes and economic performance in Pakistan.

The thesis was supervised by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tariq and co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan.

It was evaluated by Dr. Devika Hazra of California State University, Los Angeles, USA, and Dr. Efrem Castelnuovo of the University of Padua, Italy. The local examiners were Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, and Dr. Abdul Qayyum of COMSATS University, Wah Cantt.

As part of his doctoral research, Dr. Niaz Ali has published two research papers in reputable journals and one paper in conference proceedings, further demonstrating the academic significance and scholarly contribution of his work.

At a Glance

• Scholar: Dr. Niaz Ali
• Defence Date: 25 August 2026
• Venue: Central Library, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan
• Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tariq
• Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan
• Foreign Examiners: Dr. Devika Hazra (CSU Los Angeles, USA), Dr. Efrem Castelnuovo (University of Padua, Italy)
• Local Examiners: Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad (PIDE, Islamabad), Dr. Abdul Qayyum (COMSATS, Wah Cantt)
• Publications: 2 journal papers + 1 conference proceeding

The Department of Economics and Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan extend their heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Niaz Ali, his supervisor and co-supervisor, and his family on this significant achievement. The University wishes him continued success in his future academic and professional endeavours.

Department of Economics · Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

PhD Thesis Defense Successfully Held in the Department of Political Science at AWKUM

Academic Achievement

PhD Thesis Defense Successfully Held at AWKUM

Department of Political Science · Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

A PhD thesis defense was successfully held in the Department of Political Science, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM), marking an important academic milestone for the researcher and the department.

PhD Thesis Title

“Post-Conflict Peace-Building Initiatives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comparative Analysis of ANP and PTI Provincial Governments from 2008–2022”

PhD Scholar Ms. Sumayya Feroz

Supervisor Dr. Manzoor Ahmad

External Experts Dr. Zahid Anwar
Dr. Manzoor Afridi

During the defense, Ms. Sumayya Feroz presented the findings of her research and engaged in an academic discussion with the panel. The study comparatively examined the peace-building initiatives undertaken by the ANP and PTI provincial governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 2008 to 2022, with particular emphasis on post-conflict peace-building, governance, and related policy initiatives.

The defense provided an opportunity for the researcher to critically present and discuss the methodology, findings, and conclusions of the study before the academic panel. The research contributes to the broader field of Political Science, particularly to the understanding of post-conflict peace-building and governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The successful completion of the PhD thesis defense is a significant academic achievement for Ms. Sumayya Feroz and reflects the scholarly efforts of the researcher under the supervision of Dr. Manzoor Ahmad. It also highlights the Department of Political Science's continued contribution to advanced research and academic excellence at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan.

PhD Thesis Defense — Department of Political Science, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Mr. Muhammad Ziaullah, Department of Botany, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Ms. Aneesa Nayab, Department of Botany, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Mr. Amir Zeb, Department of Botany, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Ms. Attiya Nazneen, Department of Mathematics, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Mr. Saqib Khan, Department of Economics, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Mr. Hakim Said, Department of Political Science, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Ms. Asmat Askar, Department of Botany, AWKUM

 

انجینئر ڈاکٹر الیاس صالح نے پی ایچ ڈی مقالے کا کامیاب دفاع کر لیا

انجینئر ڈاکٹر الیاس صالح نے پی ایچ ڈی مقالے کا کامیاب دفاع کر لیا

شعبہ علومِ اسلامیہ، عبد الولی خان یونیورسٹی مردان کے ہونہار اسکالر انجینئر ڈاکٹر الیاس صالح نے آج اپنے پی ایچ ڈی مقالے کا کامیابی سے دفاع (Open Public Defence) کر لیا۔

اوپن پبلک ڈیفنس کا اجلاس شعبہ علومِ اسلامیہ کے چیئرمین پروفیسر ڈاکٹر کریم داد کی زیرِ صدارت منعقد ہوا۔ اس موقع پر مقامی بیرونی ممتحنین کے طور پر ڈاکٹر محمد جاوید (یونیورسٹی آف سوات) اور ڈاکٹر سعید الحق جدون (ہزارہ یونیورسٹی، مانسہرہ) نے شرکت کی۔ اس کے علاوہ شعبے کے اساتذۂ کرام، محققین اور طلبہ کی کثیر تعداد بھی اجلاس میں موجود تھی۔

سکالر کے تحقیقی مقالے کا عنوان تھا:

منتخب عربی تفاسیر(1301ھ تا 1445ھ) کا تعارف،منا ہج اور امتیازی خصوصیات:ایک تحقیقی مطالعہ

(The introduction, Methodologies and Distinctive Features of Selected Arabic Exegesis (1301AH–1445AH): A Research Study)

یونیورسٹی کے قواعد و ضوابط کے مطابق مقالہ بیرونی ممتحنین کے طور پر ملائیشیا اور متحدہ عرب امارات کے دو ممتاز پروفیسرز کو بھیجا گیا، جنہوں نے تحقیقی معیار کو تسلی بخش قرار دیتے ہوئے مثبت رپورٹس ارسال کیں اور سکالر کو پی ایچ ڈی کی ڈگری دینے کی سفارش کی۔

بحمد اللہ، آج کامیاب دفاع کے بعد انجینئر ڈاکٹر الیاس صالح نے ڈاکٹریٹ (PhD) کی ڈگری حاصل کر لی۔

واضح رہے کہ انجینئر ڈاکٹر الیاس صالح، ڈاکٹر حافظ صالح الدین، پروفیسر آف اسلامک اسٹڈیز، عبد الولی خان یونیورسٹی مردان کے بڑے صاحبزادے، مردان کی معروف علمی و روحانی شخصیت پیرِ طریقت, شیخ القرآن مولانا محمد کامل بابا جی رحمہ اللہ کے پوتے، اور مولانا ڈاکٹر حافظ نظام الدین کے بھتیجے ہیں۔

اس موقع پر انجینئر ڈاکٹر الیاس صالح نے اپنی اس کامیابی کو اللہ تعالیٰ کے خصوصی فضل و کرم، اپنے والدین، اساتذۂ کرام، بزرگوں کی تربیت، دعاؤں اور اہلِ خانہ کی مسلسل حوصلہ افزائی کا ثمر قرار دیا۔

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🎓 عبد الولی خان یونیورسٹی مردان
پی ایچ ڈی اوپن پبلک ڈیفنس کی کامیابی پر دلی مبارکباد

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Ms. Nida Khalid, Department of Statistics, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Mr. Ilyas Salih, Department of Islamic Studies, AWKUM

 

AWKUM MPhil Scholars Successfully Defend Their Theses in Botany

Two MPhil Scholars Successfully Defend Their Theses at AWKUM

Department of Botany | Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan

Two MPhil scholars from the Department of Botany, Ms. Hira Khan and Ms. Sonehra Khan, successfully defended their MPhil theses today under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ikramullah Khan, Professor of Botany at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) and Vice Chancellor, Hazara University, Mansehra.

The thesis defense was conducted before a panel of distinguished experts, with Dr. Laal Badshah, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, serving as the External Examiner. During the defense, both scholars presented their research findings with confidence and effectively responded to the questions and observations raised by the examination committee.

Prof. Dr. Ikramullah Khan congratulated both scholars on the successful completion and defense of their research work. He appreciated their dedication, perseverance, and academic commitment throughout their MPhil studies. He also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the external examiner in maintaining the quality and academic standards of the evaluation process.

The successful defense of these MPhil theses reflects the Department of Botany's continued commitment to promoting quality research, innovation, and academic excellence, thereby contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge and higher education at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan.

Highlights

• 🎓 Two MPhil scholars successfully defended their theses.
• 👨‍🏫 Research supervised by Prof. Dr. Ikramullah Khan.
• 🔬 External evaluation conducted by Dr. Laal Badshah.
• 🌿 Department of Botany continues to promote quality research and academic excellence.

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation in Respect of Mr. Salman Khan, Department of Biotechnology, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Mr. Kashif Ali, Department of Pharmacy, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Mr. Faizullah, Department of Pharmacy, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Mr. Shahid Ali, Department of Education

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Ms. Asia Zaman, Institute of Business Studies & Leadership, AWKUM

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Mr. Hayat Khan, Department of Pharmacy

 

Open Public Defense of PhD Dissertation of Mr. Shabbir Hussain, Department of Sociology