Dr. Adnan Rafiq

Dr. Adnan Rafiq is the development specialist and the co-author of National Security Policy, 2018. He has multiple years of experience leading research and development initiatives for a range of organizations, including the U.N. Development Programme, DAI, U.N. Women, and the British Council. Dr. Adnan is also an established author. He co-edited a book titled “Pakistan’s Democratic Transition: Change and Persistence” published by Routledge in 2016. He has also published a journal paper in Telecommunications Policy. He frequently contributes opinion pieces for national and international newspapers such as Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, Daily Times, and Huffington Post. 

Dr. Adnan holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Government from Oxford University and an MPhil from Cambridge. Adnan Rafiq is USIP’s country director for Pakistan. He is a senior development practitioner with a focus on public policy design, analysis, and implementation with years of experience of working with the government. His experience revolves around the political economy, governance, security, peacebuilding, international relations, and strategy.

Dr. Arshi Saleem 

Dr. Arshi Saleem Hashmi specializes in religion and violent conflicts. She is an Associate Professor at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, and focal person for the Centre of Excellence on Counter Extremism at National Defense University (NDU) Islamabad. She has worked with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Institute of Regional Studies, and University of Karachi before joining the NDU in Islamabad. Dr. Hashmi is a member of Women without Borders (WwB) Vienna and its project Sisters Against Violent Extremism (SAVE). She has been a speaker at TedxWomen 2012 in New York and Omega Women Conference in New York in 2012. She has been Kodikara Fellow, Rotary International Peace Fellow, and Yale World Fellow at Yale University and has studied Counter-Terrorism at Harvard University under South Asia Leadership Program.

Dr. Farhat Meher

Dr. Farhat Meher is the expert in the field of religious studies. Currently teaching at IIUI, Islamabad. Her research interests include Literature, Linguistics, Postmodernism and Islam, and Critical Discourse Analysis. She has also contributed as writer in Interactive English Book (FEP International Ltd, Pakistan) 1998-1999.

Dr. Munazza Yaqoob

Dr. Munazza Yaqoob is the Chair of the Department of English, Founder & Director of Critical Thinking Forum (CTF), and Director Institute of Professional Development (IPD) at International Islamic University, Islamabad. She completed her Post-Doc in 2016 from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, USA. She is a member of the ICLA Congress, International Comparative Literature Association, CLAI (Comparative Literature Association of India), and ACLA (American Comparative Literature Association). Dr. Munazza has authored two books. She has also completed two fellowships: SUSI Scholar (Pakistan) for the US Institute on Culture and Society at Multinational Institute of American Studies (MIAS), New York University by the State Department, US Embassy in 2014, and Australia Awards: Women in Executive Leadership-Pakistan.

Dr. Qibla Ayaz

Dr. Qibla Ayaz, the former dean Faculty of Islamic and Oriental Studies of the University of Peshawar, was appointed as the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in November 2019. With more than 20 published articles, Dr. Qibla Ayaz is also an author for 5 books. After earning his Masters in Islamic Studies from the University of Peshawar in 1975, in which he also served as a vice-chancellor later, he got his Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in the field of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies in 1985, his unpublished thesis being, in 2 volumes, An unexploited source for the History of the Saljūqs: A translation of and critical commentary on the Akhbār Al-Dawlat Al-Sajūqiyya, under the supervision of Dr. Carole Hillenbrand, proves his interest and intellect in the field. 

Dr. Soumia Aziz

Soumia Aziz teaches at the department of Tafsir and Qur’anic Sciences at International Islamic University, Islamabad Pakistan. She holds a diverse experience of research and teaching. Previoualy she served as lecturer in Islamic Institute Jeddah, KSA and as Research Associate at Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad. Soumia frequently teaches courses on Contemporary Approaches to the Study of Qur’an, Research methods in Islamic Studies, Translation of the Holy Qur’an and its problematics, Textual and Thematic study of Qur’an, Islam and the West, Critical and Analytical thinking, Academic Writing and Modern Western Thought. She is also University of California’s Fullbright scholar Alumni for Study of Religious Pluralism in the United States. She has participated in a number international conferences and seminars and published papers in various international and national academic journals. Her doctoral research focused on impact of female scholarship to the study of Qur’an in contemporary times with a critical analysis of traditional as well as reformist stratagems employed therein.

Dr. Uxi Mufti

Dr. Uxi Mufti, a Pakistani folklorist, social scientist, cultural expert of repute, and author of many books including “Measuring the Intangible” and “Kaghaz Ka Ghora”. He is the founder of Lok Virsa, The National Heritage Museum, Islamabad – a project that has spanned over forty years of labor of love in detail and sensitivity. His work has been recognized internationally through many national and international awards including the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and the Asia Prize for Culture 2006, Japan.

He was awarded a Certificate of Honorary Citizenship by the City of Memphis Tennessee, USA for outstanding contribution in Cultural Studies & Preservation of Culture. He was also awarded the Japan Cultural Foundation research project on Documentation of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Central Asia and the Indus Valley with Prof. Dr. Tsuge and Prof. Harumi Koshiba of the Tokai University of Fine Arts. He is an editor of a series of audiovisual productions as Educational Materials on Asia by Asian Cultural Centre for UNESCO ACCU, Tokyo. He is an honorary President for Asia and Pacific, World Crafts Council, an NGO affiliated to UNESCO in Category-I for Skill Development 1990-94.

Mr. Farnood Alam

Mr. Farnood Alam is a well-known writer, blogger, and political analyst.  Mr. Alam is currently working as media manager with International Committee of the Red Cross, Islamabad. He has done double Masters in Political Science and International relations. He writes for Independent Urdu, Pakistan and Quarterly Esbaat, India. Previously, he worked as reporter, sub editor, magazine editor and editorial in charge with print media. Also, he served as a lecturer at GCT college SITE area Karachi. He is also contributing as a script writer with production house.

Mr. Harris Khalique

Harris Khalique is a poet in Urdu and English, essayist, columnist, and civil society activist. Khalique has authored eight collections of verse poetry, as well as a book of creative nonfiction.

In 2013, he was awarded the UBL Literary Excellence Award in the category of Urdu poetry for his verse collection of Melay Mein. In March 2018, he received the Pride of Performance award from Pakistan’s president as an acknowledgment of his contributions to Pakistani poetry.

He is also a University of Iowa Honorary Fellow in Writing and a recipient of the President’s Award for Pride of Performance. Over the last 25 years, he has successfully led, managed, and advised civil society organizations, community development projects, labor rights movements, and human rights campaigns in Pakistan, South Asia, and Europe. 

Currently, he is serving as the Secretary-General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Harris is also the leader of the “AAWAZ – Voice and Accountability Programme”, a project of Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) which is a private development company focusing on the rights of women and excluded groups in Pakistan.

Mr. Hassan Miraj

Hassan Miraj worked with the government for internal and external communications mainly Counter Violent Extremism. Hassan has years-long experience in image management, narrative construction, and communication designs. With an interest in curriculum development and political networking, he is also a film-maker, published author, lyricist, folklore archiver but essentially, a story-teller. Besides writing for the widely read English-language Pakistani daily Dawn, Miraj has scripted many short films and theatrical works. His first book, Rail ki Seeti (2016), explores the impact of modernity and politics on the rural landscape. He is currently a key member of a London-based strategic advisory firm CTD Advisors and divides his time between the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

Mr. Khurshid Ahmad

Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem is a scholar, media person, social activist and author. He has been the editor of quarterly “Fikr-o-Nazar”, an academic journal of Islamic studies, being published by Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University Islamabad. He is the founder of Organization for Peace Education, an institute that aims to transform Pakistan into a truly democratic, liberal, pluralist and tolerant society based on the universal principles of human equality and social justice.

Mr. Muhammad Usman Asghar

Mr. Muhammad Usman Asghar is currently serving as faculty member in the Department of Government and Public Policy at National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. He has recently completed training on International Conflict Management from School of International Service (SIS), at American University, Washington D.C. His areas of interests include Public Policy, Conflict Analysis and Violent Extremism.

Mr. Usman is also pursuing his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Center for International Peace and Security (CIPS) at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) with emphasis on religious extremism.

Mr. Radesh Singh Tony

Radesh Singh Tony is the serving president of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Pakistan Minorities’ Alliance. He is also an activist working for minority groups and arranged multiple protests against the killing of humanity and stood for peace. Tony is the Chairman of the Khalsa Peace and Justice Foundation. He had also unsuccessfully contested the general elections in Pakistan in 2018 as an independent candidate.

Mr. Syed Ali Hameed

Syed Ali Hameed is the Executive Director at Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness (SFEA), Ali is a known countering violent extremism (CVE) expert, peace-building specialist and a social entrepreneur working in the development arena of Pakistan since 2008. He specializes in the development and execution of community development projects. He has worked in more than 60 districts of Pakistan engaging thousands of social leaders, especially youth at universities and religious seminaries. He has developed various national level campaigns and projects for the promotion of peace and tolerance including currently running project AmnQalaab, Salamti Fellowship Program, and National Peace Talks. He has developed and spearheaded Pakistan’s leading women entrepreneurship development programs such as “Women Can Do” and Pakistan’s first “Women Entrepreneurship Summit” (2015). He is also the brain behind Pakistan’s leading program on building capacities of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) called Capacity Enhancement Leadership and Linkages (CELL) Development Program for SMEs. He also heads a transnational peace-building campaign called “Peace Without Borders”.

Ali is an alumnus of Peace Fellowship by Erasmus (Netherlands), International Visitor Leadership Program(IVLP) on Community Conflict Resolution – the United States, Georgetown Young Leaders Summit (GYLS), Doha -Qatar, Global Peace on the Move (GPM14) by World Peace Initiative, Thailand, Commonwealth Youth Parliament, UK, Pakistan Young Leaders Conference, UK and many others. Ali carries an overall experience of 10 years of working in the development sector.

Mr. Syed Bilal Qutab

An architect by profession & an intellectual by passions Syed Bilal Qutab has been a renowned celebrity being into Digital Media since some time and have been on his credit various spiritual programs specifically in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Bilal has been in his academia profession since 90s as a Renowned architect , owns an architectural firm in USA , In Digital Media,gentleman holds an extensive viewership around the Globe & keeps within himself a commendable knowledge on Religion and spirituality, has been a Hot cake & preference for Digital Media Programs on mysticism.

Bilal has been admired & praised for his communication skills as well as his deep inside thoughts on one of the most critic and debated topic of Islam. Bilal has also host Aalim Online quiet successfully for almost a year and yet done it with unbeatable command. The recent live Ramadan Transmission with Samaa TV has gathers one of the Greatest viewership in Samaa TV history.

Mr. Syed Shamoon Hashmi

Syed Shamoon Hashmi is a Joint Secretary, National Assembly of Pakistan.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of the Punjab, Lahore and a Diploma in Advance & Creative English Writing from the Bournemouth University, England. Syed Shamoon Hashmi holds an active track record as a human rights activist and in particular the Gender related issues.

Mr. Wajih Nizami

Wajih Nizami, a Pakistani musician, composer and writer as well, who plays the plucked string instrument SITAR. He is a classical “SITARIST“ and upholds the tradition of sitar playing handed down to him through 18 generations of dedication and devotion to the field of music.

Ms. Aisha Mughal 

Aisha is a transgender woman, an activist, a qualified researcher, and a trainer. She is working with the Ministry of Human Rights as a UNDP Expert Consultant. She has been working for transgender empowerment, health, and rights in Pakistan since 2015 and has achieved several milestones.

Aisha Mughal was one of the country’s delegates at the UN convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 2020 in Geneva which was led by the Ministry of Human Rights Pakistan and granted the honor to Pakistan to become the first country in the world to include a legally recognized transgender woman.

Aisha has the honor of becoming Pakistan’s first Transgender lecturer and first Transgender person to serve as a consultant in any Federal Ministry of Pakistan. She has successfully broken the negative stereotypes about her community. She has earned her Mphil and BBA degrees from COMSATS Islamabad and has taught at Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal Universities and other educational institutions.

Her research paper on Transgender people has been published by Tailor and Francis (impact factor publication) and paper on HIV has been published in Gulf Medical journal. She was a member of the National Task Force on Transgender Bill and has played an important role in getting the transgender bill passed by the Government of Pakistan. This Bill is now an Act i.e. Transgender Persons (protection of rights) Act 2018. She has also served as a focal person for transgender rights at the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), Government of Pakistan.

Ms. Humaira Masihuddin

Ms. Humaira is a lawyer, based in Islamabad and holds LLK in Public International Law from the University of London, LLB (Shariah and Law) from the International Islamic University, MA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh USA and an MSC in Criminal Justice Studies from University of Leicester, UK. She is a trained victimologist and visiting faculty in a number of law enforcement and security training schools including, Police College in Sihala, Police Training School in Islamabad, Federal Judicial Academy. She regularly imparts training on diverse topics including the concept of Multiculturalism and Pluralism with special reference to Islamic teachings, Human Rights, Rights of Minorities in Islam, Theories of Criminality, Criminology of Terrorism, and Policing of Vulnerable groups. 

Ms. Humaira Masihuddin is an advocate at High Court and works as a criminology consultant. She has twelve years’ experience as a consultant and trainer in the Criminal justice system. She served as a visiting Faculty Police College Sihala, Federal Judicial Academy, National Police Academy, and FIA Academy.

Ms. Jennifer Jag Jivan

Jennifer Jag Jivan is the Executive Director of Christian Study Center, Rawalpindi. She holds academic degrees from Pakistan, UK and USA, besides being a Fulbright alumnus. Jivan’s areas of interest include education, theology, human rights and peace. She aspires to promote interfaith harmony, peace-building, human rights, women’s rights and minority rights and has extensively conducted research in those areas in collaboration with government, academia, churches, grass-roots organisations and international NGOs. Her outstanding research achievements include “State of Religious Freedom in Pakistan Report” launched by the Jinnah Institute in 2016; “Life on the Margins: A story on minority women in Afghanistan” (2012), a report funded by UN Women; “Why are we afraid of secularism in Pakistan?” (1999).

Ms. Maria Effendi

Ms. Maria is currently serving as Assistant Professor for Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. Previously, she has worked as team member in evaluation of the project “Radio for Peacebuilding”, implemented by Search for Common Ground with support of The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan in 2009-10. She has been nominated as “Pakistan International Fellow” at Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies – NDU (USA) for 2012 – 13, first from National Defence University – Pakistan. Ms. Maria was selected as First Pakistani Female Rotary World Peace Fellow, and shortlisted in competition of around 7000 applicants from all over the world, by Rotary International USA, December 2005. She is also a Kodikara Research Awardee 2005-06, Regional Center for Strategic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Ms. Sana Bucha

Sana Bucha is a Pakistani journalist, war correspondent, news anchor, and an actress. Apart from this English language bulletin, she also did several talk shows. 

Bucha started off as a production associate and became the producer for the first English Language Bulletin on GEO News. Other than producing it, Bucha frequently hosted the show. After the English bulletin, Bucha hosted and produced the channel’s first-ever English Show News Day. She hosted and served as the executive director for the current affairs program Crisis Cell before switching over to the new program Laikin. Bucha covers topics such as Pakistani politics and foreign relations, South Asia and Middle East affairs, and American involvement in the region.

Ms. Sheema Kermani

Sheema Kermani or Kirmani is a Pakistani social activist, the founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan Organization, and an exponent of Bharatanatyam dance.

Kermani was born into a middle-class educated family in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She went to the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Karachi. Later she went to London to earn a degree in arts and returned to Pakistan. She realized that women in the Pakistani society were not able to get equality in the society so she started a movement called ‘Tehrik-e-Niswan’ (Women’s Movement) and raised her voice for their rights, health issues, education, and equality.

Kermani’s father was a retired Brigadier from the Pakistan Army and a Chairman of KESC (Karachi Electric Supply Corporation). Kermani started learning Bharatanatyam in the mid-1960s. Kirmani learned Odissi under Aloka Panicker and Bharatanatyam under Leela Samson during her visits to India. Her first solo performance was at Pakistan in 1984. She also conducts theater workshops under the guidance of theater director Prasanna Ramaswamy in Karachi and heads a cultural organization, Tehrik-e-Niswan in Karachi.

She performed at the Faiz Aman Mela, Lahore where she paid a tribute to Asma Jahangir. She said we can bring peace, harmony, and equality by loving each other and by sharing the message of love with each other. In 2017 Kermani appeared at the shrine of Sehwan Sharif after the barbaric suicide attack and performed dhamal (a Sufi dance form). She gave a passionate performance and told the media that nobody can stop music and dance.

Ms. Sofia Hussain

Sofia Hussain is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI). She has done her M.A. and M. Phil. in English Literature and is currently working on her PhD dissertation. Her research interests include Pakistani Literature in English, South Asian Fiction, Feminist Literary Studies, Critical and Comparative Literature. She has published papers, reviews, co-authored English language teaching ELT manuals and books, and co-edited a book titled Muslim Women Writers of the Subcontinent (1880-1960). She has completed an international fellowship at University of North Carolina (UNCW), Wilmington, USA in 2016. She is also a member of the core committee of Critical Thinking Forum (CTF) and has organized numerous international conferences, seminars, workshops, and panel discussions etc.