Association for Behavior and Knowledge Transformation (ABKT)

Advisors

ABKT utilizes the valuable advice and input of its honorary advisors, distinguished in their respective fields at national and international levels. Below are the brief profiles of our honorary advisors:

Muhammad Raza 

Muhammad Raza is a Fulbright scholar. He got his LL.M. degree in international law (focusing on human rights) from the Georgetown University Law Center, Washington D.C. in  2006. Muhammad Raza has worked at strategic level with national and international organizations. He has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of key development issues and priorities – governance, rule of law, community-driven development, culture and politics etc. - in Pakistan with particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He possesses in-depth knowledge and understanding of government structures, and strategic priorities and frameworks of the Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and has produced reports and papers that inform policy reform and strategic direction at both national and international levels. His research and activism ranges from policy research to formation of civil society organizations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA for progressive reforms leading to protection of fundamental rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, and PATA. He has also authored papers on the status of Pakhtun women and the socio-cultural and political landscape of Malakand Division that impacts development, especially relating to women rights.

Dr. Saba Gul Khattak

Dr Saba Gul Khattak earned her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Hawaii in 1991. She worked as a research fellow at the East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii in 1992-93, and also taught international relations at the University of Peshawar and political science at the University of Hawaii. She is associated with several organizations, being a member of the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), governing bodies of several NGOs, editorial board of Theoretical Perspectives curriculum committees of two women's studies centers. Dr. Khattak specializes in comparative politics and her research interests revolve around the political economy of development, feminist and political theory with special emphasis on state theory. She has provided regular input to the government on women's issues and co-authored a chapter: “Effects on Women of National and International Armed or Other Kinds of Conflict” the Pakistan National Report for the Beijing Conference on Women. Dr. Khattak writes on gender issues, public policies, governance, militarization, refugee women and refugee politics. She contributes to journals and books and presents papers at conferences. Her papers include “The Effects of Nuclearization on Pakistani Women,” Development; “Gendered and Violent: Inscribing the Military on the Nation-State,” Engendering the Nation-State; “Linkage Between Internal and External Dynamics of South Asian Security,” Internal and External Dynamics of South Asian Security; “Security Discourses and the State in Pakistan,” Alternatives; “Militarization, Masculinity and Identity in Pakistan—Effects on Women,” Unveiling the Issues; “A Reinterpretation of the State and Statist Discourse in Pakistan,” Locating the Self, Perspectives on Women. 

Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel

Dr. Mary Hope Schwoebel has over twenty-five years experience in the fields of humanitarian assistance, peace building, governance and development.  She holds a Doctorate degree from the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University and Masters in international development from the University of California. Most recently Dr. Mary Hope spent five years at the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peace building at the US Institute of Peace, where she developed, taught and trained in over a dozen countries overseas and in Washington D.C..She designed and oversaw dialogue initiatives in war-torn countries, and has many policy-oriented publications. She has also taught courses at Georgetown University, American University, George Mason University, and University for Peace in Costa Rica. Dr. Schwoebel is the author of a wide range of publications, most recently two forthcoming book chapters: “The Intersection of Public and Private Spheres for Pashtun Women in Politics” in Gender, Political Struggles and Gender Equality in South Asia edited by Margaret Alston (Palgrave Macmillan Press) and “Twenty Years of Somali Fashion: Human Security and Women’s Clothing” in Staying Fab in Insecure Times, edited by Andreas Bekne and Linda Bishai (Routledge Books) have been written by her.

Jamal Shah

Jamal Shah is a TV actor, a director, a painter, and a social worker. He was born in 1956 in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. In 1984 he established the Fine Arts Department at the University of Balochistan and headed the department for three years. in 1985 he formed the Artists Association of Balochistan and became the first Chairman of Artists Association of Pakistan. Jamal Shah obtained a Master's in English literature from Balochistan University, Quetta, Balochistan in 1978 and in 1983 an NDA, National College of Arts, Lahore. He later obtained a Masters in Fine Arts from the Slade School of Art in London. He is currently the director of HunerKada art academy in Islamabad which he founded in 1992 and Telenor Brand Ambassador doing Television Productions (Hunerkada Productions) his latest upcoming Drama is "Girdaab". Being an actor, he performed in many TV serials as well as a renowned mini series titled Traffik produced by Britain's Channel 4 about illegal drugs and the role of Pakistan, Germany and Britain in its production, transportation and usage. Traffik was nominated for six BAFTA Awards, winning three. It also won an International Emmy Award for best drama. He has also starred in the film K2 from 1992, directed by Franc Roddam. In 2005 Jamal Shah was responsible for the Pavilion in the Pakistan section of the World exposition in Aichi Japan. In 2007 He became the Executive Director of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Dr. Qibla Ayaz

Dr. Qibla Ayaz is the Dean of Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Studies, University of Peshawar. He has held several top academic positions in the past as well, including Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar, Dean, Faculty of Islamic Studies & Arabic, University of Peshawar, Director, Institute of Islamic and Arabic Studies, University of Peshawar, Director, Shaykh Zayed Islamic Centre, University of Peshawar and Chairman, Department of Seerat Studies/Prophet logy/Prophet Studies, University of Peshawar. He is also a member of various statutory bodies, committees and academic societies. A doctorate from the Edinburgh University, U.K, his major achievements include establishment of Department of Seerat Studies/Prophet logy/Prophet Studies at the University of Peshawar, Pakistan Council of World Religions, Al-Farabi Council for Citizen Diplomacy and Academic for Knowledge and Review (AFKAR). He is also a recipient of the US Gold Star Alumni (2011) and Presidential Award (MA Islamic Studies, 1975). To date, Dr. Qibla Ayaz has participated in number of national and international conferences and seminars. He also frequently delivers lectures and conducts training workshops majorly on the subjects of Islam and education. His other areas of interest include religious diversity, conflict resolution and religion, peace and dialogue, interfaith dialogue and citizen diplomacy. He is also an author of numerous books and articles.