Zia Ahmed Awan Advocate

Mr. Zia Ahmed Awan is a distinguished lawyer, human rights activist, and social reformer whose work has made a profound impact on Pakistan’s legal and social landscape. He holds an LL.B. degree from the University of Karachi and has earned international qualifications, including a Diploma in Development, Law, and Social Justice from the Netherlands (1986) and a Diploma in People’s Diplomacy from Italy (1994).

He is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the High Court, practicing law since 1981. Over the course of his career, he has handled numerous cases involving rape, abuse, divorce, and honor killings. His dedication and integrity have earned him repeated recognition within the legal fraternity. He was elected as a member of the Sindh Bar Council in 1994 and re-elected for two subsequent terms in 1999 and 2004. In 2011, he was elected as a member of the Pakistan Bar Council for a five-year term.

Beyond his professional practice, Mr. Awan has held several honorary and international positions. He served as a Board Member of Child Helpline International in Amsterdam and CARAM Asia in Malaysia, a network focusing on safe mobility and HIV/AIDS. He is a Fellow of Ashoka: Innovators for the Public, based in Washington, D.C., and a Board Member of the Pakistan Environmental Law Association. He is also a member of the Child Rights Commission (Sindh) and currently serves as the President of Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA).

In 1989, recognizing the need for accessible justice for marginalized groups, particularly women and children, Mr. Awan led a group of 50 lawyers to establish the Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA). The organization was founded to provide affordable and effective legal aid and to promote justice for the underprivileged. A passionate advocate since his student years, he has been a lifelong campaigner for freedom and human rights. His outstanding contributions earned him the international honor of “Young Outstanding Person of the World” in 1994, awarded in Kobe, Japan.

Under his leadership, LHRLA has helped secure the release of more than 30,000 innocent individuals, mostly women and children, from prisons across Pakistan. The organization has also provided free legal aid and counseling to over 100,000 people, including prisoners, trafficking victims, women prosecuted under Hudood laws, and children charged with juvenile offenses. Mr. Awan has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of human rights issues and to foster policy reforms at both national and regional levels.

He has been instrumental in promoting jail reforms, conducting paralegal training sessions, and organizing numerous workshops and awareness campaigns on issues such as juvenile justice, child rights, and women’s empowerment. Through his initiatives, Pakistan witnessed the establishment of its first Juvenile Court, a major step forward in protecting children’s rights. Mr. Awan continues to collaborate with the Government of Pakistan on implementing the Juvenile Justice Ordinance, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

Among his many projects, the Madadgaar Helpline stands out as a landmark achievement. It is Pakistan’s first child helpline and protection service for children and women in crisis, established in collaboration with UNICEF and LHRLA. The initiative offers immediate guidance, support, and referrals to victims of abuse and exploitation. Through LHRLA, Mr. Awan has also provided legal and counseling services to women in prisons and initiated public education campaigns through booklets and posters that inform citizens and prisoners about their rights under the law.

In 2002, he established the Migrant Community Center “Ujjal” in Korangi, Karachi, which provides free non-formal education and healthcare to women and children from migrant families. The Working Women Support Center (WWSC), launched in 1997, offers legal and psychological assistance to working women and combats harassment in workplaces and public spaces.

In collaboration with UNHCR, Mr. Awan developed the Advice and Legal Aid Center (ALAC) to provide legal protection and support to Afghan refugees in Pakistan. His organization also offers free legal aid to survivors of trafficking, including cases involving cross-border trafficking, false adoption, child camel jockeying, and exploitation of women and children for prostitution or labor.

To strengthen advocacy and policy work, LHRLA has also developed a comprehensive national database on human trafficking. This database monitors reports from 26 newspapers daily, documenting case studies of victims and perpetrators and sharing findings with the media and policymakers to raise awareness of the issue’s magnitude.

Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Zia Ahmed Awan has worked both at the grassroots and policy levels, combining legal expertise with social activism. His life’s mission has been to ensure justice, dignity, and equality for all, particularly the most vulnerable members of society. His dedication to legal empowerment, human rights, and social reform continues to inspire activists, lawyers, and citizens across Pakistan and beyond.

Warda Butt

Warda Butt is the dynamic CEO of Startup Mileage Pakistan (SMP), a national platform dedicated to empowering startups, driving innovation, and accelerating sustainable business growth. Under her visionary leadership, SMP has emerged as a vital hub for entrepreneurs, offering digital solutions, strategic mentorship, consultancy services, and a powerful podcast network that enhances brand visibility and impact.

With a diverse professional background, Warda wears many hats, she is a freelance sports journalist, host, podcaster, certified photojournalist, and a passionate social activist. Her extensive experience, over eight years in the corporate sector, equips her with a rare combination of creativity, communication skills, and strategic foresight, all of which she brings to every initiative she leads.

Warda's journey into leadership began with her work at the Development in Literacy Foundation, where her commitment to education and community development first took shape. An alumna of the English Works program and a recipient of a prestigious U.S. scholarship, her leadership qualities were recognized early on. She has served as Youth Group Director and Vice President of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), Karachi Chapter, roles that deepened her impact in civic engagement and youth development.

In pursuit of inclusive leadership, Warda founded the Warda Community Development Organization (WCDO), a nonprofit focused on youth leadership, community service, and social inclusion. Through WCDO, she works actively to support marginalized communities including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and the transgender community, promoting a culture of acceptance and opportunity.

At SMP, Warda continues to champion emerging entrepreneurs, guiding them to scale smarter, faster, and more ethically. She believes in the power of innovation to transform lives and remains deeply committed to building an ecosystem where every voice matters and every dream has a chance to thrive.

A compelling speaker and changemaker, Warda Butt is not just leading ventures, she's shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and empowered future for Pakistan.

Shuja Qureshi

Shuja Qureshi is a well-known Pakistani journalist and television anchor. He has had an extensive career in the media industry, having worked as an anchor and host for several prominent television channels. He gained recognition as the host of shows on Indus TV and CNBC Pakistan, where he was known for his insightful interviews and engaging presentation style.

As of recent reports, Shuja Qureshi has joined Nukta Pakistan, a platform that continues his work in the media, offering coverage and analysis on current business affairs. His transition to Nukta Pakistan marks a new chapter in his journalistic journey, where he continues to be involved in broadcasting and discussions around key national and international issues.

Dr. Saad Humayun – Dental Surgeon

Dr. Saad Humayun is a dedicated and skilled dental professional with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from Fatima Jinnah Dental College, graduating in the class of 2015. He successfully completed his house job at the same institution in 2016, gaining hands-on clinical experience in various dental procedures.

Dr. Saad has undertaken several advanced courses in Endodontics and holds a six-month diploma in Implantology, equipping him with the expertise and confidence to perform complex implant procedures. His areas of specialization include Root Canal Treatments, dental fillings, and implant dentistry.

With a commitment to providing high-quality, patient-focused care, Dr. Saad continues to enhance his skills through continued education and clinical practice. If you're looking for professional and reliable dental care.

Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood Iraqi

Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood Iraqi has served in key leadership roles, demonstrating a commitment to education and institutional development. His tenure includes:

• Dean

• Vice Chancellor, University of Karachi

  • January 2013 to January 2016

  • 16-05-2019 to Present

During his time as Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Iraqi fostered a valuable association with the College of Banking & Finance. This institution was part of a public-private partnership aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for the people of Karachi. Prof. Dr. Iraqi is proud to have been associated with an institution that promoted the development of entrepreneurial spirit and business leadership.

Baela Raza Jamil

Baela Raza Jamil is a distinguished educationist, policy advocate, and the CEO of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) Centre for Education and Consciousness. She is widely recognized for her pioneering efforts in transforming Pakistan’s education landscape through advocacy, research, and innovative learning initiatives.

As the founder of the Children’s and Teachers’ Literature Festivals in Pakistan, Baela has played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of reading and learning. This initiative has since evolved into the Pakistan Learning Festival, a nationwide social movement dedicated to promoting literacy, creativity, and critical thinking among children and educators.

Her contributions to education have earned her global recognition, including being the sole Pakistani finalist for the prestigious World Education Medals. Under her leadership, ITA and the Sanjan Nagar School have reached over 20 million children and trained hundreds of teachers, significantly improving learning outcomes across the country.

Baela is a passionate advocate for the right to education (Article 25A), early childhood care and education (ECCE), and girls’ empowerment through education. She has spearheaded key initiatives such as the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Pakistan and the foundational learning program Chalo Parho Barho (CPB)/Teaching at the Right Level (TARL), which focus on improving literacy and numeracy skills among children.

Beyond Pakistan, Baela represents the country on global education platforms, serving as an advisor and board member for various educational and learning innovation programs. Her unwavering dedication continues to shape policies and initiatives that aim to create an inclusive, equitable, and quality education system for all.

Arif Soomro

Arif Soomro is among the renowned writers and researchers of Karachi and Sindh. He completed his matriculation and intermediate studies in Karachi and graduated with a master's degree from Shah Latif University, Khairpur. 

He gained recognition through the publication of research articles about Sufi poets and writers of Sindh in the Mehran Rang section of the Daily Jang. He began contributing research articles to Sindhi Wikipedia and Urdu Wikipedia, with close to a thousand articles published.

Various countries, including the Philippines, Ukraine, and Taiwan, have awarded him shields in recognition of his services to Wikipedia. 

His father, Faqir Muhammad, Uncles Mir Muhammad and Naseer Soomro are also poets and writers. Arif Soomro initially participated in general knowledge quizzes, winning awards, and he currently serves as the General Secretary of the Pakistan Quiz Society International, along with being associated with other literary organizations.