Dr Shahida Shaheen is a Pakistani poet, author, radiologist, and social worker, writing in Urdu and Pashto. Her work is also referenced under the name Dr Shahida Sardar in publications and appearances.
Dr. Shahida Shaheen is a Pakistani poet, acclaimed author, writer, and dedicated social activist whose life reflects a natural blend of professional commitment, literary depth, and humanitarian purpose. Belonging to District Karak (Khattak Pathan), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, she is a professional radiologist who, over nearly three decades, has continued to serve people through medicine while remaining deeply engaged in literature and community welfare. Her journey has developed through consistency rather than visibility, where healing, writing, and social service move together with a shared sense of responsibility toward society.
While continuing her work as a doctor, Dr. Shahida Shaheen gradually established a respected place in Pakistan’s literary community. She writes in both Urdu and Pashto and has worked across almost every form of literature, including poetry, fiction, short stories, travelogue, Na‘at, essays, research articles, literary criticism, and newspaper columns. Through these forms, she explores social issues, cultural traditions, spiritual values, and love for the country, allowing her words to reach readers from different backgrounds with clarity and relevance.
Her literary journey is marked by wide participation in national and international mushairas, literary conferences, seminars, and cultural programs, where she has delivered performances in thousands of gatherings and represented Pakistan’s literary and cultural identity. Among her notable contributions, her travelogue Deewar ke Us Paar holds a distinct place, written after her visit to India as a delegate of the Government of Pakistan at the SAARC Sufi Conference. The work is appreciated for its thoughtful observations, engaging narrative, and the way it introduces readers to new perspectives, including insight into the Radha Soami belief, offering both literary value and informative depth.
Dr. Shahida Shaheen is the author of a total of ten books, with two more currently under preparation. Her published works include Hawa ki Sargoshi, Mehkati Dharti Sulaghti Saansen, Karb-e-Zeest, Deewar ke Us Paar, Charagh-e-Aghahi, Saughat, Satray Manbam, Tehqeeq o Tasurat, Aina Ishq, along with her broader body of literary publications completing ten books. Two additional works, Australia ka Safarnama and Pashto Tehqeeq, are currently in progress. Her seven collections have been awarded multiple times across different cities of Pakistan, reflecting the reach and recognition of her work within the literary landscape.
Her book Mehkati Dharti Sulaghti Saansen, entirely dedicated to Pakistan, earned her the distinction of being the first female poet from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to write a complete book devoted to the homeland. Prof. Dr. Nazir Tabassum (Late) honored her with the title “Poet of the Voice of the Soil,” recognizing her contribution and noting that no female poet from the province before her had presented such a work centered on patriotism. Her poetry reflects a strong sense of حب الوطنی, expressing deep emotional and cultural attachment to the country.
In recognition of her literary services, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa awarded her the Bint-e-Hawa Award. Her name has also been nominated four times for the Presidential Award (Pride of Performance) for excellence. Over the years, she has received numerous national, international, and global awards, shields, and gold medals from both government and non-government organizations. These include: Recognitions from Pakistan Women Writers Forum (2008), Urdu International Australia (2014), SAARC Sufi Festival India Jaipur (2015), Mashal Pashto Adabi Tolana (2015), Culture Center Consulate General of Pakistan (2016), District Government Peshawar (2017), Pashto Academy University of Peshawar (2018), Allama Iqbal Gold Medal by Nazaria Pakistan Council Islamabad (2018), Garrison University Lahore (2018, 2019), Abaseen Arts Council Peshawar (2020), Pride of Performance by Sukhanwar Foundation Faisalabad (2021), Parveen Shakir Award Islamabad (2021), Bank of Khyber (2022), Writers Guild Lahore (2023), Rotary International Peshawar (2023), Frontier Model School Peshawar (2023), Global Writers Association Italy awards including Iftikhar-e-Adab and Grand Award (2024), Mir Babar Ali Anees Adabi Award (2024), Baba Bulleh Shah Adabi Gold Medal Lahore (2024), Zeb-un-Nisa Award India (2024), multiple recognitions from Chamber of Commerce and Industry Peshawar including Best Performance Award (2025), Supreme Star Medal (2025), Lifetime Achievement Award (2025), and several gold medals including Bheel International Adabi Sangar Lahore (2024–2025). She has also been honored with the Fakhr-e-Urdu Adab Award by Mawara World Literary Forum America, along with another distinguished award from the same forum recognizing her services to Urdu literature.
Her literary importance is also reflected in academic research. Eight M.A. and M.Phil. theses have been written on her personality and work at institutions such as the University of Peshawar, Qurtuba University, Government College Peshawar, Haripur, and the University of Dera Ghazi Khan. These research works include critical analysis of her poetry, evaluation of her prose, and detailed studies of Deewar ke Us Paar and Karb-e-Zeest, along with research on themes such as patriotism in her poetry. In addition, several more research projects are currently under progress.
Her writing style carries a distinct quality, where literary expression is combined with meaningful information. In Deewar ke Us Paar, she presents cultural and religious insights with clarity, while in Mehkati Dharti Sulaghti Saansen, she reflects a message of courage and motivation for youth inspired by Iqbal’s vision. In Karb-e-Zeest, her storytelling brings realism and emotional depth, where characters appear vivid and expressive.
From 2000 to 2008, she remained associated with Radio Pakistan Peshawar for eight years as an anchor, host, and doctor, presenting programs in Urdu and Pashto for women, including Hamari Duniya and Da Khwendo Narray. She has also participated in television shows and literary programs on different channels, maintaining her presence across media platforms.
Her commitment to social work remains a defining part of her life. Inspired by the devastating earthquake of 2005, she formally established MAPC (Motivation and Awareness Program for Community) in 2010, registered with the Government of Pakistan, where she serves as Director. Through this platform, she regularly organizes free medical camps, supports disaster-affected communities, and has helped thousands of people across different regions.
She also established SH Sewing Center and SH Beauty Parlor, where deaf & dumb, and underprivileged girls receive vocational training through three to six-month courses, enabling them to become financially independent. She runs training programs and basic education initiatives for street children, helping them gain practical skills. Her contributions further include mosque construction, installation of water pumps, renovation of government schools, support for marriages of underprivileged girls, and medical treatment for persons with disabilities, reflecting a life closely connected to the service of poor, needy, and deserving communities.
Fluent in Urdu, Pashto, Hindko, Persian, and Punjabi, Dr. Shahida Shaheen connects with diverse audiences across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Her literary voice is also reflected in her representative poetry, where her ghazal expresses themes of reflection and human experience, while her Hamd and Naat carry devotion, spiritual depth, and reverence expressed through poetic language.