PPAF Complements Government of Pakistan's Efforts for Poverty Alleviation acrocss Pakistan

Mr. Mohammad Tahseen is the founding Director of South Asia Partnership Pakistan, a leading national NGO in Pakistan working for social, political and economic empowerment of the weakest, especially peasants, women and religious minorities. He holds a master’s degree in public administration with specialization in Research Methodology and Techniques from University of the Punjab, Lahore - Pakistan.

Mr. Tahseen is known for his grass roots advocacy work in civil society circles of South Asia and is a strong believer of civil liberties. He has been supporting efforts of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) for the last many years. Mr. Tahseen is also a founder member and First Secretary of Pakistan NGO Forum, has served as the Chairperson of the Building Bridges Project of Forum International de Montreal (FIM and has also served as Chairperson of "Pakistan National Committee (PNC) of IUCN.

Mr. Tahseen plays a pivotal role in bringing trade unions, media organizations, peasants, and civil society organizations together at national forums to struggle for the common cause. He is serving as National Coordinator of the Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF) and a Convenor Pakistan India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) for the last two years. Mr. Tahseen has been awarded the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Presidential Award for Human Rights in recognition of his efforts for peace in the region.

Mr. Navid Ahmed Shaikh is an officer of Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) with over 30 years of strong and broad experience across complex policy areas and public management. He has served in the provinces of the Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, as well as in the Federal Government. Mr Shaikh has extensive experience in the areas of public financial management, social development, rural and urban management, and human resources management during his employment within the public sector across Pakistan. He has served as Secretary of MOITT and Special Secretary, Finance Division, Government of Pakistan. Previously, Mr. Shaikh served as the Chairman of the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, Commissioner of Karachi and Larkanao Divisions in Sindh province and Naseerabad Division, Balochistan. He headed various provincial departments, including as the Secretary of Services, General Administration and Coordination Department, Sindh Higher Education Commission, and Planning & Development Department, Sindh Mr. Shaikh earned an MBA from the University of Durham, UK. He was awarded the US Hubert H. Humphery Fellowship in Economic Development in 2012. He has also attended numerous international training programmes in public administration, executive leadership, and fiscal management.

Ms. Sabina Qureshi is a part of civil service of Pakistan with 29 years of experience in policy research, development, and implementation, She has worked in key ministries, including Cabinet Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education, Establishment Division and the Federal Public Service Commission.

Her experience spans public sector management, negotiations, stakeholder engagement, economic cooperation, and development partnerships. She has represented Pakistan in international forums and contributed to policy reforms relating to civil services, aid effectiveness, INGOs and national education. She also remained a part of National Education Policy Team and contributed to the White Paper on “Education in Pakistan” (2007).

Ms. Qureshi holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, studied Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Sweden and completed an International Policy Fellowship at Central European University, Budapest.

Dr. Muhammad Suleman Shaikh is a medical professional and social development advocate. He graduated from Liaquat Medical College and completed his postgraduate education at K.E. Medical College and Karachi University. He has authored books and articles on social development, poverty, and society.

Dr. Shaikh entered the national arena of social development in 1993 to head the Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO). He is the founding Board of Directors of Pakistan Poverty Fund and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP). He also participated in the formation of the Sindh Rural Support Organization and served as its First Chief Executive Officer (Honorary) until 2005.

Dr. Shaikh has authored several books in Sindhi and articles on social development, community awareness, poverty, and society. His literary works include short stories, and publications on bacteriology and public health, travel, and NGO movement in South Asia. He has also contributed many articles on the sociology of Sindh in leading Sindhi newspapers and periodicals. He also compered current affairs programs on Pakistan Television and has made radio talks on health and education.

Currently, Dr. Shaikh is the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at SZABIST, member of the PPAF Board of Directors, STEDA, and PPHI Sindh, and Chairperson of the Board of Governors at Public School Gadap in Karachi.

Ms. Maryam Kayani a Pakistan Administrative Service officer, has been in the service of the Government of Pakistan since 2008, with diversified experience of field and desk assignments. She has served at local government, provincial government and federal government. Mariam is posted in Finance Division, Ministry of Finance and Revenue since last 2 years. She holds the portfolio of Joint Secretary, External Finance. Mariam’s professional focus is on policy design, and programme evaluation to improve the effectiveness of government programmes through evidence-based practices. Mariam is an Associate Chartered Accountant of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. She also holds Bachelor of Law from University of Punjab and Master’s in Administrative Law & Policy from University of Sydney. She has been a recipient of Australia Awards scholarship and Humphrey Fellowship under the Fulbright exchange programme of U.S. State Department..

Mr. Mahfooz Ali Khan’s diverse career spans over 38 years, He started his career as a journalist before joining the Provincial Civil Service in 1977. He served in Education, Planning, and Home Departments of the Government of Balochistan and later joined Civil Superior Services of Pakistan.

Working with the Provincial, Federal Governments, Authorities, and Autonomous Bodies, including in the telecommunication, finance, and accounts offices. Mr. Khan has served on key positions of Finance Secretary and Accountant General.

As Secretary Finance, Government of Balochistan, he played a crucial role in increasing provincial Tax and non-Tax revenue, and besides part of three NFCs, facilitated in finalizing the historical 7th National Finance Commission Award for the Province. While serving as Head of Audit Office, he planned and supervised audits of all provincial government departments. He also streamlined Peace Time Accounting Procedure of Garrison deployed in Balochistan while serving as Controller Military Accounts.

Khawar Mumtaz is an independent consultant in gender and social development. She was Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (2013-2019) and before that CEO of the leading feminist organization, Shirkat Gah-Women’s Resource Centre. She has researched and written about different dimensions of women’s lived realities (poverty, political participation, home based work, labour force participation, reproductive health and rights, environment). She believes in the separation of state and religion, in peace and environmental justice and strongly opposes discrimination based on class, ethnicity, religion and gender. With an MA in International Relations she has served on the faculty of the Centre for South Asian Studies, Punjab University, as Assistant Editor in the weekly Viewpoint, on syndicates of Women’s Universities and as Senate Chair of Karakoram International University. She has been active in women’s regional networks and has served/serving on the Boards of national, regional and international organisations.

Ms. Shabina Ayaz is a dynamic and accomplished women's rights activist who currently serves as Resident Director of the Aurat Foundation's Peshawar office. With a diverse background in managing outreach-based programs on Advocacy and Action, she has mobilized and capacitated a vast network of Citizen's Alliance/Network for the social and political emancipation of women and marginalized groups. Ms. Ayaz's exceptional lobbying, coordination, and communication skills have enabled her to effectively engage in human rights advocacy and work with parliamentary bodies and other institutional mechanisms meant for legislation.

With her international exposure, Ms. Ayaz brings a global perspective to her work, enabling her to localize global charters, conventions, and declarations (CEDAW, CRC, Beijing +, ICCPR, UDHR, etc.) and translate them into local actions through organizational policies, management, and the reproduction and repackaging of knowledge. Ms. Ayaz's previous experience in journalism has added value to her political and social analysis skills. She has served as a member of the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women and is currently a member of the Amir Ahmad Siddiqi Award. With her blend of professional experience and personal commitment, Ms. Ayaz continues to make a significant impact in promoting the social and political empowerment of women and marginalized groups in Pakistan.

Mr. Sher Jehan Mir is an accomplished banker, having served as Chief Executive and Chief Advisor at Karakoram Cooperative Bank in Gilgit-Baltistan, where he played a pivotal role in its growth and sustainability. He has also served in the development sector and held the position of Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan in the interim setup from December 2014 to June 2015. Mr. Mir is currently a successful entrepreneur in the oil and gas sector.

Dr. Bashir-Ur-Rehman Kant has over 48 years of experience of serving in various capacities in the health, allied government, academic, national, international and government sectors of Azad Jammu & Kashmir-AJ&K. He attained his degree in medicine from King Edward Medical College-Lahore and has received medals in the subjects of Pathology and Pharmacology. Additionally, he is a qualified MCPS & FCPS from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan.

Dr. Kant possesses a vast professional and administrative experience in project management while working with KFW-Health Infrastructure Programme, Asian Development Bank, Multisectoral Health Rehabilitation Project, World Bank Sponsored Primary Health Care Project, and UNFPA reproductive health project. He has also supervised several projects in the post-earthquake scenario, including the Australian Medical Mission, 212 Mobile American Surgical Hospital, South Korean Medical Mission, Cuban Medical Mission, and Canadian Medical Mission.

Dr. Kant has managed high-budget projects of UN-WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, US-AID, MSF & Mercy Corps for providing relief to earthquake affected communities and supporting regular health systems.

Professor Aijaz Ahmed Qureshi is a seasoned development professional, institutional development specialist, and educator with over 35 years of experience in environmental management, community development, water and food security, and change management.

As an independent consultant, Professor Qureshi spearheaded institutional reforms in the water sector in Sindh Province, Pakistan, under the auspices of SIDA. He has served as Regional General Manager for Sindh at the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), General Manager of Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO) and Managing Director (MD) of SIDA. Within the academic realm, he held professorships at the University of Sindh and directed prominent institutes such as the Institute of Business Studies and the Sindh Development Studies Centre (SDSC).

His global professional network extends to collaborations with renowned organizations such as FAO, ADB, USAID, and the World Bank, where he contributed to environmental and development initiatives. Notably, he led efforts for the rehabilitation of Lake Manchar, addressing critical water pollution challenges.

Professor Qureshi holds an M.A in Area Studies (South Asia) Economics/Economic History from the University of London and has actively participated in international conferences and workshops advocating for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

Mr. Salman Ahmad joined PPAF in January 2023 as Company Secretary / Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs. His professional career comprises over 20 years of extensive experience and cross functional exposure in the field of Finance & Accounts, Financial Management & Analyses, Audit, Taxation, Companies’ Secretarial & Corporate Affairs, Administration, HR and Operations support roles.

Prior to joining PPAF he was working in the same role with Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Limited, Government of Punjab, and before that he has served at Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), Government of Pakistan, as Director (F&A)/Secretary to the BISP Board. He has also worked with South Punjab Forest Company, Government of the Punjab, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Company Secretary. Previously he worked as Director (Finance) & Company Secretary with Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT). He has also worked as Head of Finance/CFO and Company Secretary with The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA). In the past, he has been engaged in supervisory role with a renowned Chartered Accountants’ firm. Mr. Salman Ahmad holds MBA (Finance) and PGD degrees.