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
