85-year-old Haibatullah Halimi completed his doctorate degree in political science from the University of Balochistan proving that age is just a number for willing minds.
Governor Balochistan Zahoor Ahmed Agha awarded Halimi Ph.D. degree last week at the convocation of the University of Balochistan.
The governor, who was the chief guest of the occasion, commended the octogenarian saying pursuing education and earning a Ph.D. degree while defying age barriers was an act of encouragement for all.
The scholar, who belongs to Mastung, came up the stage with a stick in his hand and two people supporting him. The governor embraced the octogenarian before bestowing him with the degree.
Halimi, who retired from the police department as the deputy superintendent, earlier worked for the police department where he retired as the deputy superintendent.
Halimi, who worked for the police department and retired as the deputy superintendent after 40 years of service, took the path of higher education in 2005 as he enrolled at the University for an MPhil degree. After securing an MPhil degree in 2011, Halimi decided he was not done yet and enrolled himself for a doctorate degree. He earned his Ph.D. in 2019 but the convocation, which was scheduled a year later, was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Adil Zaman Kasi, the dean of the Department of Political Science at Balochistan University, showered praise on Halimi for his commitment to education.
“Haibatullah Halimi, despite being aged, remained determined to pursue his goal. We did not expect him to complete his Ph.D., but he persevered till the end and succeeded in his mission,” Kasi said.
He said Halimi was the oldest student of the political science department and served as a role model for other students at the university.
Halimi’s research is about traditional and modern policing in Balochistan.