Dr. Muhammad Tahir Ali Shah was born in District Mardan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). He has completed his Doctorate (Agriculture Extension) in 2010 from AIlama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Currently, he is Research and Development Director at Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. Dr Tahir Ali Shah is HEC Focal Person for Overseas Pakistani to address their queries related to Higher Education in Pakistan. He is Secretary, Pakistan Social Science & Humanities Research Council, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. He is Coordinator HEC Social Sciences Thematic Research Grant Programme. Dr. Tahir also Supervise funding, recognition and up gradation of HEC recognized research journals. He supervises verification of research journals/research articles for appointment & promotion of faculty members in BPS and TTS. He is also coordinator at International Collaboration for academics & research development. Dr. Tahir supervises the Centre of Excellence, Pakistan Study Centers and Area Study Centers of Pakistan. He is chief organizer of Annual International Social Science Conferences at HEC, Islamabad and conduct Social Sciences symposium, seminars, expo and Conferences.
Dr. Tahir was also Deputy Director-Academics and Coordinator of Social Science & Humanities Council at Higher Education Commission Pakistan. He was Project managers of World Bank Project “Improvement in the Quality of Affiliated Colleges”. He was Marketing Officer/Support Manager in 1991 for Pak-Swiss Project for Horticultural Promotion in NWFP, Agricultural University, Peshawar, Agricultural Research System, NWFP & Fruit & Vegetable Development Board, Peshawar.