Over 28 years of experience in education development, working with national and international organizations including UNICEF, UNESCO, and JICA. Currently working as Deputy Chief Advisor with the AQAL-JICA and specializes in education policy, strategic planning, curriculum development and education reforms in Pakistan.
Farzana Yaqoob is a former minister for Social Welfare and Women Development, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. She is the founding member and Chief Executive of Mantaq Center for Research. She is Senior Associate and Secretary General of Working Group on Kashmir, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan.
She is advisor to Brussels Consulting, Brussels, Belgium. She is Advisor to Center for Strategic and Contemporary Research, Islamabad, Pakistan. She is a Board member of Aiming Change for Tomorrow (ACT). Yaqoob is Secretary General Eisenhower Fellowship, Pakistan. She is an alumnus of National Defence University and Naval War College. Yaqoob is Eisenhower fellow 2016. Yaqoob is Young Global Leader 2017 of World Economic Forum.
Highly experienced and accomplished legal professional with a proven track record of providing strategic legal counsel and guidance to organizations. With a diverse background spanning both corporate and litigation settings, Ms. Mazhar possesses a unique blend of skills in legal strategy development, regulatory compliance, team leadership, and relationship management. Proficient in fostering strong corporate governance, ensuring legal compliance, and managing complex legal issues to protect the interests of the company. Adept at managing relationships with external law firms, regulatory authorities, and stakeholders to achieve optimal legal outcomes.
Ms. Mazhar got her law degree from SM Law College, Karachi, and has done LLM (part 1) from the University of London. Ms. Mazhar has worked on the legal side with both financial and non-financial sector companies in Pakistan. She has completed the Director Training Program in 2021, in addition to many other training programs from time to time.
Presently she is working with Saudi Pak Industrial & Agricultural Company Ltd as Head of Legal and Company Secretary. Before that she worked with leading commercial banks such as HBL and Samba. She also had the privilege of working with Lotte Pakistan Ltd (previously known as Pakistan PTA Ltd) and ICI Pakistan Ltd.
Besides pursuing an active professional corporate law career, she has also been involved with community volunteer services such as being an elected member of the Parent-Teacher Association at American International School Lagos-Nigeria and American International School -Lahore, fostering parent-teacher-school relationships, and also played an active volunteer role in the admission process at Teach A Child School System in Lahore.
Tariq H. Cheema, MD is a renowned philanthropist, entrepreneur, and social innovator. He is the founder of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, the Global Donors Forum, and Doctors Worldwide. Since he left a lucrative career as a surgeon to focus on righting global inequalities in 1997, Dr. Cheema has built a diverse career as a senior executive and advisor, in both the social and private sectors. He has left an indelible mark on several social initiatives during his career, managed medium-to-large grant programs, and worked closely with world leaders, endowments, foundations, and businesses to strategically design philanthropic and social investment models. In recent years, his trendsetting efforts towards developing ideas into institutions of Muslim philanthropy worldwide have earned him international acclaim. For many years, Dr. Cheema has been ranked amongst the top 500 Most Influential Muslims impacting the world today.
His vision of responding to social challenges through economic empowerment has successfully resulted in establishing a strong global network of businesses to integrate emerging economies with leading international markets, as well as support, and solutions for, rapidly changing global value chains.
Ayub is an Accountant by profession and has been running a successful accountancy practice in London for 10 years. Helping and mentoring start-ups through to becoming successful multi-million-pound turnover companies is his forte.
Social work is a huge part of Ayub’s life, having started speaking on behalf of the Edhi Foundation from the age of 6 and volunteering at various charities since then. Currently, he’s an advisor to the Omnibus Charity in London as well as a trustee of Goodwill Caravan, a charity that assists refugees.
Having seen his parents fund-raise for the now self-sufficient Al Khadeeja School in Karachi gave Ayub the motivation to join a charity like PAGE. Seeing the positive effects of education, especially for girls has been a real eye-opener and he’s really keen on assisting as best as possible.
We believe that his set of skills and experience will prove to be beneficial for girls in Pakistan and his passion to see the girls in Pakistan thrive, and lead successful, independent and empowered lives, will be of great benefit to a cause like PAGE. We are eager to work with Ayub and welcome him on board! We hope that together we can help make a real difference in shaping the future of Pakistan.
I am a highly accomplished and dedicated leader in the social care industry, bringing over 25 years of expertise in mental health recovery, rehabilitation, and community support. As the co-founder and owner of a distinguished care home group, I have played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of adults with mental illnesses, providing them with specialised support, compassionate care, and the tools needed for long-term recovery and independence.
I have championed progressive care models, influenced best practices in mental health support, and empowered individuals to reclaim their lives with dignity and purpose. I am deeply involved in advocacy, policy discussions, and initiatives aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, ensuring that care services are not only accessible but also holistic, person-cantered, and truly transformative. My dedication to the field continues to inspire change and set new standards for excellence in mental health recovery and rehabilitation.
My dedication to advocating for and uplifting vulnerable individuals is evident in both her professional endeavours and personal mission, as she continuously seeks to create a meaningful impact in the lives of those who need it most.
With extensive experience in mental health care, social advocacy, and community development, I have consistently demonstrated a compassionate and person-cantered approach, ensuring that individuals receive the support, dignity, and opportunities they deserve. My tireless efforts in championing mental health awareness, advocating for education access for underprivileged children, and driving community service initiatives showcase my holistic commitment to social justice.
Professional Accomplishments: * Current Role: Run a care home group focusing on recovery and rehabilitation for adults with mental illnesses. * Award: In 2018: received an award from King’s College London for my innovative approaches to recovery and rehabilitation. * Highly commended 2021: Women of the future * Pakistan Achievement Awards: Humanitarian of the Year 2024 – British Pakistani POWER 100 * BBMG (Bharat Bhagya Mahamtma Ghandi Award – Entrepreneur – Social Activist 2024 * Top 100 Influential People Winner 2025 – https://top100influentialpeople.com/winner/fatima-zaman/ * Oxford Executive Leadership Programme – Said Business School University of Oxford Dec 2024 * Peercite Journal article author – Revolutionising Mental Health * Outstanding Leader Award in Leadership at World Leaders Summit at University of Oxford March 2025 * Keynote speaker at iDIAS Global Conferences February 2025 “𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭: 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠.” • British Asian WHO’s WHO winner – Transformational Leader in Mental Health Services 2025 Honorary professorship – the Royal club, Oxford University December 2025
Community and Philanthropy: Ambassador for Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education: Fatima is actively involved in sponsoring two schools in Pakistan for underprivileged children. * Councillor for Selsdon Vale and Forestdale, Croydon: Engages in local governance and community support. * Conservative Muslim Forum: Serves as an executive member, contributing to the community’s engagement and representation. * Conservative Friends of Pakistan: Participates as a steering committee member, fostering relations and support. * British Asian Trust: Currently collaborating to provide her expertise in transformative projects in Pakistan, particularly Cowasjee mental institute.
Kassim Gaffar is a corporate executive-turned-entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in financial services and information technology.
He has a professional background in audit, investment banking and healthcare sectors. He has management experience in financial services both in the UK and Asia. He has served on not-for-profit sector Boards, driving improvements in reporting, governance, risk management, and development and execution of strategy.
Kassim is an insightful, highly performing, and responsive “C-suite” finance executive with a track record of delivering sustained, outstanding business performance and multiple transformations through inspiring leadership, strategic thinking, and change management.
Dr Nadia Bukhari is a UK-registered pharmacist, academic leader, and global health advocate, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the UCL School of Pharmacy and Founder and COO of Siha Health & Wellness. Her work focuses on advancing leadership within the pharmacy workforce, with a strong emphasis on education, policy, and health systems transformation.
Alongside her academic and professional roles, Nadia is a longstanding trustee of Pakistan Alliance for Girls’ Education (PAGE UK), where she has dedicated nearly a decade to championing access to education for girls in underserved communities. In this capacity, she plays a key role in strengthening governance, shaping fundraising strategy, and supporting sustainable programmes aimed at reducing barriers to education and empowering young women through learning.
Nadia brings a unique intersection of healthcare leadership and social impact to her work with PAGE UK. Her broader portfolio includes editorial roles with notable academic journals, contributions to global health discourse, and involvement in innovative healthcare models. She is also a member of the Faculty of Public Health (UK), reflecting her commitment to improving population health through both professional practice and community engagement.
Passionate about equity, representation, and opportunity, Nadia is dedicated to creating pathways for the next generation of women leaders both within healthcare and beyond.
Currently working as a community outreach manager for VOH a civil society organisation working with local gvernment to bridge service gaps for BAME women. Previously worked as an Integration Officer with Kingston Council Resetellement Program for th Afghan scheme, since 2022.I have worked as a Campaign Manager in Westminster from 2017. Working on the May 2018 Local Elections for the Conservative Party and then the snap elections in 2019, completing contract in 2020.
I have been a Senior Strategy Adviser at the International Unit G20 of the Department for Work Pensions from 2004 to 2014, and worked across UK government departments on social protection and human rights, international labour markets, and employment strategies in some of the UK’s most deprived wards. I ran the British Pakistan Foundation as Executive Director for two years whilst on a sabbatical from the civil service. Creating a formidable platform for the British Pakistani Diaspora. I had been Executive Director from 2011 to 2013.
In my recent role as Business Development Executive at Algebra Consulting, I delivered a successful two day event at Olympia London in 2016, with a footfall of 20,000 people. I was responsible for managing stakeholders, campaigns and online outreach to increase subscriber-ship and curate and launch campaigns. My core achievements have been fundraising, community outreach, managing stakeholder relationships, campaigning, and media marketing. I have also written and produced six theatrical plays and am currently working on my seventh venture with our group www.ludooproductions.com.Ihave also written an unpublished novel which is still laying in my back draw. I have additionally consulted for Oxfam policy and Southbank Alchemy Festivals, on cultural and community, fundraising and engagement.
Relevant to Film/Arts/Culture Space:
I am on the committee for the Tongues on Fire Film Festival run in the UK for the past 18 years, brokering Pak films in the UK (Now known as UKAFF: UK Asian Film Festival)
I had been a part of the steering committee for the Alchemy Festival at the Southbank for the 5 years from 2010, bringing Pak content to the UK
I have working ties with Asia House/RSA/BFI
I have a database of over 4000 British Pakistani contacts as a potential mailing list and worked on the steering committee for Karachi LitFest at Alchemy in 2017. And then worked on a Pakistan installation for the London 2018 Design Biennial.
