Trustees

Afia started her career as Pakistan's first female cricket journalist. She has accumulated a vast experience of print, electronic and web journalism with some of Pakistan's leading media outlets. She also has over 15 years of experience in the field of advertising, and headed Creative department of three known advertising agencies. She has more recently been involved in the field of development sector communications, focusing on environment, climate change, labour, gender issues, digital rights and media ethics, about which she writes, and trains media persons.

Salim has served as the Governor of State Bank, Pakistan and a member of the Advisory Council to the Pakistan’s Finance Ministry, working closely on drawing up of key reforms to underpin sustainability of economic growth in Pakistan. He is the founder of Pakistan Business Council (PBC). His previous associations have been with Citibank, Middle East, Africa, UK, Central Europe and Eastern Europe. His business experience covers Credit and Corporate Finance and Real Estate and Global Assets Management.

Being the first female Director General of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), I’ve always been keen to pledge with new and exciting realms. I’ve always been vocal for the importance of developing blue economy and environmental entrepreneurship program by creating awareness among the population. I’ve been linked to many foreign organizations as a visiting faculty such as National Center for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), QLD, Australia, University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Griffith University, Brisbane Australia, ERGO, School of Oceanography, Seattle Washington U.S.A to name a few. I’ve not only been the part of research and development at National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) but have also been instrumental in management and administration.

Nazish has an MSc in Poverty Reduction: Policy and Practice (Specializing in Natural Resource Management) from SOAS, University of London and an undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences from King’s College London. Nazish has previously worked both in the private and development sector, including establishing a Karachi centric skill-based volunteering programme and has taught subjects related to environment and sustainable development as adjunct faculty at NED, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and SZABIST.

Qazi Azmat Isa started the Balochistan Rural Support Programme and was its CEO or 6 years Later he joined the World Bank and headed the Afghanistan Reconstruction program for 4 years. He returned to Pakistan as the CEO of the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.which he served until his resignation earlier this year.

Amer Zafar Durrani is the founder and President of Reenergia and Paidartwanai—an ex-World Bank professional, and has over 36 years of experience spanning 26 countries. His areas of expertise include policy advisory on national and international issues, political economy, social impact advisory, blended finance, trade facilitation, energy, transport and logistics, infrastructure, climate change, disaster risk management, supply chain management, regional partnerships and outreach, special economic zones, and public works programs with a focus on community driven development and social protection—including disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. His more recent interests lie in public policy consulting and facilitation towards improved connectivity, e-governance, social impact investment, collaborations, and regional partnerships. He is a social entrepreneur for the past 8 years—who has successfully created a group of companies in multiple verticals including trade, transport and logistics, energy trade, fintech, special zones and information technology (IT).