About me
A development economist and a commonwealth scholar, I enjoy a sound understanding of socio-political environment in developing countries. Currently I am working with International Rescue Committee as Regional Technical Advisor - Youth and Livelihoods Program covering Asia and Caucasus. Before that, I was working with United Nations in Kenya as Junior Professional Officer - JPO. Whereas I worked for UN in Tanzania and for International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Pakistan and Kosovo. I also had the opportunity to work in different capacities for United Nations Islamabad, Oxfam GB and IUCN Pakistan. Enjoying strong academic and professional background in international development, I have a better comprehension and appreciation for the challenges that developing countries are facing in their fight against poverty and under-development-- hindering prosperity, sustainability, and security. Development as a profession is my passion and the career choice to reduce the suffering of the people and contribute to a better world for all.

Work Experience:

I have worked for different international development agencies at national and international level. Presently I am working for International Rescue Committee, a US based NGO, in Pakistan. Before taking the current assignment, I worked in Kosovo office of the same organization. Moreover I was involved/worked in different capacities for United Nations Drug Control Programme Islamabad, Oxfam GB in Brighton, United Kingdom and IUCN Pakistan. Experience with these organizations has developed my capacity to employ integrated approaches to explore and resolve different issues affecting the welfare of common people.

Development Project:

I worked/contributed directly and indirectly in different development projects. These includes Dir District Development Project (DDDP), Kosovo Women’s Imitative (KWI), Female Eeducation Program (FEP), Water and Sanitation Project, Women’s Empowerment Center and World Summit for Information Society (WSIS) as United Nations Online Volunteers.

Academic Background:

To obtain sound academic back in my chosen profession, I have made an attempt to integrate management, finance and economics. I did Master in Development Economics from University of Sussex, United Kingdom where as I completed MBA from NUST Pakistan and BA in Economics & Political Science from prestigious Government College Lahore. Currently I am pursuing PhD in Governance and Development from Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, University of Maastricht, Netherlands. Studying, Governance, development economics and management has not only given me the intellectual capability to have a better understanding of development process but also provided me the management skills to achieve development targets in an efficient way. Studying in fine educational institutes provided me the opportunity to meet people from across the country and from different countries, giving diversity and depth to my understanding to the needs of People in different cultural, social and geographical contexts.

Academic Distinctions:

I am a Commonwealth Scholar for year 2002-2003. In a three-stage competition, I was one of the six successful candidates from Pakistan who were offered Commonwealth Scholarship. In the first two stages around 2000 applicants participated in the competition at national level. In the final stage, 30 short-listed candidates from Pakistan competed with 6000 applicants from 50 Commonwealth countries. 300 of them won the distinction of been a Commonwealth Scholar.

I was Selected in 'Study in France Programme' by Embassy of France (2002) and also Won Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST) Scholarship after competing with around 1500 applicants where I got 40th position at national level (2001). Moreover I was the only other student who NUST Merit Scholarship for 2 consecutive years (1999-2001).

Research Interests:

With research interest in Poverty, Growth and Financial Development, I have interest to investigate how these three phenomenon interact with each other and in through what channels they affect people. In my research thesis ‘Financial Development & Economic Growth’ I have examined variation between the relationship between financial development & economic growth across the countries in different income and regional groups. In another paper, ‘Do Poverty Measures Measure Poverty?’ I have examined the quantitative and reserach issues that affect the measurement of poverty. To enhance the research skills in social sector and to obtain the practical experience to employ different research techniques in real life, I worked under the auspices of IUCN-Pakistan for MBA dissertation on the achieving sustainable development in business environments. The thesis evolves with the critical evaluation of the failure Gadoon Amazi Industrial Estate, the means for its revival and integrating business concepts with sustainable development.

My other papers includes:
‘Welcoming Multinational Companies is the Quickest and Best Way to Modernise Your Economy?’ This essay discusses the evidence of dissemination of product and process technologies to local firms from MNCs, and its net impact on the productivity improvement in local firms. ‘Why East Asia has grown faster than Africa?’ The difference policies in the two regions are analyzed that has produced contrasting growth stories.

Extracurricular Activities:

Currently I am involved with United Nations Volunteers Online Volunteer and United Nations Youth Association. I am also member of ‘Society for International Development’ (SID-Italy) and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI-Pakistan)

Participating actively in college life in Government College Lahore, I was the Vice President of ‘Ravians Quiz Society’, Member of ‘Environmental Protection Society’, and Executive Member of 'Sondhi Translation Society'. At NUST I was Member, Executive Council Member of ‘Culture Society’ and ‘Secretary Hostel. A development economist and a commonwealth scholar, I enjoy a sound understanding of socio-political environment in developing countries. Currently I am working with International Rescue Committee as Regional Technical Advisor - Youth and... (more)