Our Team
Board Members
Prof. Dr. Riaz Ahmed Shaikh
Chairperson (Academics)
Riaz Ahmed Shaikh, PhD, is Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Education at Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology- SZABIST, Karachi, Pakistan. He is author of six books. His fields of interest are religious extremism, fundamentalism and human rights. He served as editor of peer-reviewed international research journal, Journal of Management & Social Sciences- JMSS from 2007 – 2010 and Managing Editor of Asia Journal of Global studies- AJGS, Osaka, Japan. His several research papers have been published in the journals of international repute.Dr. Rafat Nabi
Educationist
Dr Rafat Nabi is an educational development professional with over 30 years of extensive field experience in programme management, research and in multiple aspects of education (ECD, Formal and Non Formal, Adult and Inclusive). During her career, she developed, implemented, supervised, managed and documented large funded programmes, in all areas of Education. She also worked in the field of capacity building/professional development and developed numerous teacher training programmes (short and long periods), manuals for pre-primary (ECD), primary, secondary and Non-Formal teachers, teachers’ trainers, university faculties and School Management Committees.
Sadiqa Salahuddin
(Executive Director/ CEO/ Ex-Officio Secretary)
Mrs. Sadiqa Salahuddin is the founder and Executive Director of the IRC. Mrs. Sadiqa did her Masters in Economics from Karachi University after which she did a second Masters in Economics from Syracuse University, USA. She completed her M.S in Management from Management Education Institute, USA. Previously, she served as Director in NGO Resource Centre which aimed at capacity building and creation of an enabling policy environment for civil society. She has also done consultancies with different well known organisations like USAID, SUNGI, PCE, UNICEF, SWISS NGO, INTRAC, Government of Pakistan etc.Dr. Kamleshwer Lohana
Finance Secretary (Academics)
Dr Kamleshwer Lohana is a development practitioner with recognized contributions to teaching, research, writing and practice in the discipline of education, policy studies associated with gender, climate change, immigration and disaster management. He is PhD in development Studies and Master of Social Science in Asia-Pacific Governance and Development from Australia and teaching at Mehran University Institute of Science and Technology and Development (MUISTD), Jamshoro, Sindh.Naseer Ahmed Memon
Member (Development Professional & Columnist)
Naseer Memon is a development professional. He has worked for leading organizations in the humanitarian, development and corporate sectors and academia in Pakistan for over 20 years. He has held leadership positions in reputable organizations, including Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Engro Energy Ltd, Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan, Premier Oil International, WWF Pakistan. He successfully led and transformed organizations through his strategic leadership, as he chaired first nationalRehana Shaikh
Member (Development Professional)
Ms. Rehana Shaikh specializes in public policy, Gender, monitoring and evaluation, poverty analysis, capacity building, training and facilitation, education, and management expert. Her public policy and management expert experience spread over 20 years in social sector development in Pakistan. She has served in rural and urban settings, all over Pakistan. She has also worked on short term assignments in Bangladesh and Afghanistan.Dr. Imdad Ali Khowaja
Member (Academics)
Dr. Imdad Ali Khowaja is an Associate Professor of Economics in University of Sindh, Jamshoro. His areas of intreset and research are: Economics and Finance, Financial Management and Cost Accounting. He has over 20 Journal publications related to the Economics and Accounting.Ms. Nikhat Sattar
Member (Writer/Development Professional)
Nikhat Sattar is a development professional and writer, with over 30 years of diverse experience. Previously, she has served as Technical Advisor in Social Development Policy center and Indus Resource Centre. She has worked with IUCN in Pakistan and has also worked as National Consultant with British Council Pakistan. She has experience in development mediation While working as the Chief Technical Advisor for a policy research institute in Pakistan she managed a five-year programme investigating the vulnerability of women to climate change.For the last decade, she has worked in the field of education.Ms. Amina Abro
Member (Writer and Health Specialist)
Ms. Amina Abro is a Karachi based, Public Health Scientist. She has earned MSPH from SZABIST and MSc from University of Sindh. She has been working with public sector as Health Education officer for the past several years. She is also writer and women rights activist.Prof. Dr. Ghulam Raza Bhatti
Member (Academics)
Dr. Raza Bhatti has been serving as Vice Chancellor of ‘The Shiakh Ayaz
Unoiversity, Shikarpur Sindh. Previously he has worked with Shah Abdul
Latif University, Khairpur, after completing his five years’ deputation period
in the Higher education Commission, Islamabad. He has worked in key
administrative positions at the Higher Education Commission (HEC),
Islamabad, including Executive Director (August 2015 to February 2016),
Member HRD and Member (O&P), and Member Human Resource
Development (HRD).
Ms. Salma Baloach Alias Amar Sindhu
Member (Academics)
Amar Sindhu is Assistant Professor, Sindh University, Jamshoro. A poet with origins in Sindhi Literature, she is also a columnist, human rights activist and political analyst. She has contributed many articles in Urdu and English. Amar Sindhu is known for her unflinching human rights activism, her unequivocal support for the underprivileged sections of society, and her ability to speak her mind. She also published a magazine named Adrish on political, social, cultural and theoretical issues. One can find love, rebellion and passion altogether in her strong poetic expression. She is also an author of a bilingual book of poetry.Dr. Nighat Shah
Member (Medical Doctor)
Dr. Nighat Shah is currently serving as Associate Professor Sindh Reproductive and Genetic health center at Jinnah Sindh Medical University. She is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist and Medical Educationist and a scholar of change.Mansoor Raza
Development Professional & Academics
Mr. Mansoor Raza, a Professor in NED University Karachi, with over 15 Years of teaching experience at University of Karachi, UIT, SZABIST and at NED University of Engineering and Tecnology. He has particular interest in Sociology, Research Methods and Participatory Development with 30 years of experience in research, report writing, contribution to English dailies in Pakistan. He has co-authored 4 books on urban issues with noted architect and urban planner Mr. Arif Hasan. The issue ranges from migration, to land use and to transport and others. He contributes to various English Dailies of Pakistan on issues relevant to urbanziation, gender, demography and social change.Dr. Zafar Iqbal Junejo
Member (Writer)
Dr. Zaffar Iqbal Junejo has earned PhD in History, University Malaya, Malaysia. He regularly writes on historical heritages and social sciences topics. He has long experience of working with the UN body (Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Islamabad). Previously, he has been associated with Aga Khan Foundation and Sarvodhaya Sharmdhana Movement (Sri Lanka). He is trained in Historical Research Methods (University of Malaya). He is member of the Royal Historical Society, London (UK). Development (HRD).Senior Management Team
Bakht Birhmani
Program Manager – PSU
Mr. Bakht Birhmani has done Masters in Sociology from University of Sindh. He has been associated with IRC since past 8 years. He has previously worked with different local non-governmental organisations in Sindh. Currently he is working with IRC as Program Manager. He has represented IRC at various local, national and international forums. His areas of interest and expertise are Child Rights, Livelihoods and Rural Development.
Sumaira Saleem
Internal Auditor and Governance Focal Person
Works as an Internal Auditor and Governance focal person of the Indus Resource Centre. She holds an MBA Degree in Finance and Accounting from Bahria University, Karachi along with the Inter CA of TSA, Karachi. She conducts audits, look after the governance matters and provides independent and objective assurance and advisory services designed to strengthen IRC’s ability to management risk and improve its operations. She has extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in the fields of Auditing, Accounting, H.R and Procurement management and Reporting.
Farzana Buriro
District Manager
Farzana in this role is responsible for leading teams that are focused on program design and on initiatives to deepen the impact of IRC’s Sojhro Schools program. Farzana had been associated with IRC since 20 years. Prior to the non-profit sector, she served in many roles ranging from primary, secondary to teacher education and training, with cross-cutting themes of gender, human rights and protection, enterprise development, and advocacy. She has managed projects funded by Sindh Education Foundation, PPAF, Concern Worldwide, UNICEF and others donor and UN Agencies. She also served in communities throughout Sindh province, particularly in rural and difficult areas such as Kohistan and Kachho. Her academic qualifications include an MS in Sindhi Literature from University of Sindh. She has also participated in numerous education and training programmes throughout the world, including the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, and Thailand.Nesar Ahmed
Program Manager Adopted Schools
Nesar Ahmed in this role, is responsible for the successful operation and management of day-to-day activities across the adopted schools of Engro Ghotki and Rehri Goth Schools network. He has been associated in Education field since 1982. He also served as Program Manager for various NGOs and INGOs, including SAP-PDP, TVO, The Asia Foundation, and Development in Literacy. He has worked for Developments in Literacy for four years, facilitating the establishment of 26 non-formal schools in the most underprivileged areas of Orangi Town for literacy promotion and reading skills enhancement. He was chosen for an International Visit to the United States in June 2002 as part of a State Department-sponsored exchange programme titled “Preschool-Eighth Grade Educational Reform in Pakistan to visit various states in the US and meet academic specialists engaged in the study and application of educational reforms.
Javed Tajik
Manager Finance & Administration
Javed is responsible for supporting the growth of the organization while ensuring compliance with general accounting standards. He provides high quality financial management information necessary to support an effective humanitarian operation. He has been associated in Collating / analyzing and report on actual and planned monthly expenditure, interpret and communicate with field managers, advise of variance against approved budgets, and make recommendations for corrective action. Responsible for the financial health of a company or organisation. Javed holds an MBA from Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur and MA and B.COM from University of Karachi.Shamsa Mehtab
Program Manager – EMO Schools
Shamsa Mehtab has done her Masters in Social Sciences. She carries an overall 25 years of diversified exposure in the field of “Education” & “Banking & Finance” with reputed Local & International organizations. With major exposure spanning over as ;An Educationist with over 19 years with exposure of Academics, Education Planning, Curriculum, Teachers’ Performance Management, Training, and Education Administration.Currently working as Program Manager at IRC for an Education Management Organization (EMO) Project under School Education & Literacy Department, Govt: of Sindh, providing academic support to schools at Khairpur district.Muhammad Saffar Phulpoto
District Manager Khairpur
Mr. Muhammad Saffar Phulpoto has 12 years of experience in the development sector in the fields of Human Resources, Finance and Administration. He holds an MBA in HR and MSCIT degrees. Mr. Saffar has been associated with IRC for about 6 years. He has also worked for the USAID ED-LINKS project. HE rejoined IRC in 2013 as Manager Admin, Finance & HR, and is currently working as Administrative District Manager in IRC Khairpur office.Naheed Akhtar
District Manager Sukkur
Ms. Naheed Akhtar is working as Administrative District Manager at IRC Sukkur office since 2010. She has done her Masters in Commerce from Shah Abdul Latif University, and a second Masters in Sociology.
She has received a series of trainings from LEAD Pakistan as an Associate Member in the project Leadership in Reproductive health (RH), and visited to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during the course. Ms Naheed has also worked as EOM in FAFEN’s LTEOOP project and covered six districts to monitor and assess pre-elections, elections and post-elections of 2013. Ms. Naheed also has experience of hosting radio shows and stage compering.