Dr. Zubaida Abbassi is working with Population Welfare Department as a Senior Medical Officer for the past sixteen years. In this capacity, she has been involved in implementation of various population welfare programs and family planning activities. She has introduced and promoted Contraceptive Surgery to rural areas through Reproductive Health Services (RHS) Centers and Contraceptive Surgery Camps. She has also been involved in monitoring and validation of Contraceptive Surgery Cases operated in different area of District Khairpur by NGO’s such as Marie Stopes Society and Green Star. During her sixteen years career as a health professional, she has conducted numerous seminars on Health, Nutrition requirement of expecting mothers, Reproductive Health, Mother and child healthcare. Apart from this, she has been associated with Family Advancement for Life and Health (FALAH) Project as Master Trainer. She is also the supporting partner of Save the Children (US) funded project PAIMAN. So far, she has trained 30 health professionals including 8 doctors and several FWWs and Lady Health Visitors (LHVs). Ms. Abbassi is a qualified Gynecologist and Obstetrician. Along with her medical career, she regularly writes articles on health issues in a weekly local magazine. She also host a weekly radio program Sartyoon Sath on Radio Pakistan to sensitize and educate local population on health matters.

Ms. Naheed Akhtar earned her masters degree in Commerce from Shah Abdul Latif University of Khairpur Mir’s. She is associated with the development sector for the past five years, during which she has worked with several national and international NGOs, such as: IRC & NOWA, Layari Development Organization (LDO), LEAD Pakistan and UNDP in various capacities to improve and uplift health and education indicators in District Khairpur. Currently employed at Save the Children (US) as Community Mobilization Assistant, she monitors Female Support Group and Health Committees.

Mr. Inayatullah Jogi is the Deputy Director Finance of Colleges in Education Department, Sindh. Prior to this, he has taught Chemistry for more than 14 years as a lecturer in a local college. Along with his teaching career, he has worked in a public private partnership health project funded by DFID and Marie Stopes Society. He has conducted several trainings with various national and international organizations for promotion of democracy, political freedom, Importance of Health and Nutrition for Women, and Reproductive Health. He is involved with many local community welfare organizations. Mr. Jogi has remained the elected president of NGOs Coordination Council Thari Mir Wah for one full term.

Mr. Zameer Hussain Lashari, an experienced media and community development professional, is currently associated with ARY One World (news channel) as news correspondent for District Khairpur. He also works as Client Service Manager at New Jubilee Life Insurance Company. His articles on various social and political issues periodically appear in various local newspapers and magazines. Twice selected chairman of NGOs Coordination Council Khairpur, Mr. Lashari has contributed considerably towards the development of educational and health structure in the district. He undertook various initiatives for the development and education of youth in Khairpur. He established Ajrak Arts and Cultural Youth Organization Khairpur. This organization works with the youngsters and fosters their creative talents. Mr. Lashari also pioneered Khairpur Art Educational Academy, which provided many young artists of Khairpur an opportunity to showcase their talent on electronic media. Over the years, the academy has produced many TV, Radio and stage performers. Mr. Lashari holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur.

Mr. Mirani holds a masters degree in Sociology from Shah Abdul Latif University and LLB from law college Khairpur. He started his career from Bhittai Social Welfare Association Village, Saddar ji Bhatyoon, as President in 1988. The organization has contributed a great deal towards the development of the community through establishment of a woman vocational center, Mother Care Health Center, maternity home, EPI center, and Family Planning Center. Mr. Mirani was the elected Nazim of Union Council Saddar ji Bhatyoon, District Khairpur for ten years. During his tenure, he undertook several initiatives to promote participatory development of the area. He had also worked as the convener of District Council, member of District Government CCB monitoring committee, and focal person of District Nazim for coordination with NGOs and funding agencies. For the past five years, Mr. Mirani is working as a chairman for the District NGOs Coordination Council Khairpur. He is actively involved in coordination, communication and liasioning between the various local and international NGos working in the area with the government departments. Mr. Mirani is the District Coordinator Citizen Action Committee for Women Rights (Aurat Foundation Pakistan) for almost eight years. He is an active member of several national and international networks such as Pak-India Peoples Forum for peace and democracy, Human Resource Development Network (HRDN) Islamabad, and the World Social Forum in Pakistan.

Currently employed with Save the Children (US) as Community Mobilization Officer in a project Pakistan Initiative for Mother’s & Newborn (PAIMAN), Ms. Naqvi monitors Support Group Health Committee’s activities and arranges workshops for capacity building. Prior to this, she was employed at Marie Stops Society Khairpur as Center Manager, where she worked on providing comprehensive reproductive health information and services that include mother & child health and family planning services to the masses. Ms. Mehak Zehra holds a masters degree in Economics. She is associated with the development sector for over six years. So far, she has managed, supervised and monitored several projects on health and education.

Muzzaffar Hussain Panhwar is currently associated with Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) as Poject Manager for Disaster Risk Management (DRR). He graduated from Shah Abdul Latif University. Later, he went to Quid-e-Azam University, Islamabad where he did his masters in political Sciences. He attended several national and international workshops on disaster risk management and reproductive health during his five years career in the development sector. Before joining PFF, he has worked with LEAD Pakistan and Indus Resource Centre (IRC) in various capacities.

Mr. Nawaz Phulpoto is presently working with Government of Sindh on a project on Youth Development at district level. In past, he has remained associated with different government departments in various capacities to promote development in District Khairpur. Mr. Phulpoto holds a masters degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from Quid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. He has also done masters in Rural Development from University of Sindh Jamshoro. With his strong understanding and sound knowledge of socio-political issues and their economic impacts, he has worked with renowned national and international development organizations such as LEAD Pakistan and UNDP to facilitate their interventions, especially in the areas of education and health. He has also worked as Finance and Governance Specialist with Asian Development Bank and the District Government Khairpur in Sindh Devolved Social Services Program.

Mr. Mazharuddin Shaikh is currently working in National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Government of Pakistan as District General Manager for almost a year. NCHD aims to promote Human Development by supporting Government Line Departments, Non-Governmental Organizations and elected officials at the district level in primary education, literacy and provision of basic healthcare services. As a District General Manager, he is responsible for achieving the universal primary education goal through ensuring timely implementation of all planned activities. He has wide experience of working on issues related to education, health and gender mainstreaming. Previously, he has been associated with UNICEF and Education Department Khairpur as District Education Coordinator (DEC). Working as DCE, he managed to successfully achieve the goal of increased students’ enrolment and students’ retention in all Talukas of District Khairpur. Mr. Shaikh earned his masters degree from the Shah Abdul Latif University. Later, he successfully completed a one year diploma course in Computer Sciences. He has attended various training sessions during his career for skill enhancement and career growth.

Mr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh holds a masters degree in International Relations from Shah Abdul Latif University. He started his career from a local community development organization NOWA, where he worked for two years as Community Education Promoter. Later, he joined Sindh Education Foundation in Khairpur as Community Education Promoter. He has also worked with Cavish Development Foundation as field manager on ‘Universal Primary Education Project’, where he proved his abilities in successful implementation of the project through his perseverance and hard work. Now for the past three years, he is employed at Indus Resource Center (IRC) as Project Coordinator for UNICEF’s project ‘Acceleration of Girls Education (AGE)’. During his three years career with IRC, Mr. Shaikh has played an instrumental role in creating awareness and convincing parents to educate girls.

Ms. Raana Shah is practicing law for more than twenty years in Khairpur. She holds a bachelors degree in law from University of Sindh, Jamshoro. She has played a significant role in promoting and highlighting human rights in District Khairpur, especially gender equality in a culturally sensitive manner. She remains enthusiastically involved in various activates to curb women rights abuse, health related issues and illiteracy from District Khairpur. She is also the Chairperson of District Education Monitoring Committee. She regularly visits hospitals and prisons to identify deserving patients and prisoners for free medical and legal help. She also conducts awareness sessions on health and hygiene to promote health and hygiene, mother and child healthcare, and women rights on various public forums. Ms. Shah is also associated with various government and non-government welfare organizations, such as District Zakat Committee, Baitul Mal Steering Committee, and All Pakistan Women Association (APWA). She was elected twice as Zilla Councilor.

Ms. Shaharbano Shar is an advocate in Session Court Khairpur. She is a law graduate. She also holds a masters degree in Business Administration from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur. Her educational background, varied experience and proven leadership traits make her an ideal candidate for bettering reproductive health in District Khairpur. Before embarking on her career in law, she has worked for LEAD Pakistan as Taluka Coordinator in Democratized Education Management & Ownership (DEMO) project. She has also worked with Thardeep Rural Development Program (TRDP) as a Team Leader at District Khairpur and District Ghotki.