UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) – Refugee Status Determination, Voluntary Repatriation of Afghan Refugees, and Advice and Legal Aid Projects

At the UNHCR Branch Office Islamabad, I supported high-volume refugee protection programming across Refugee Status Determination (RSD), Voluntary Repatriation of Afghan refugees, and Advice & Legal Aid projects. I contributed to the processing and review of large caseloads, improving efficiency and accuracy in RSD decisions and legal referrals. I facilitated access to legal assistance and protection services for vulnerable refugees, while supporting repatriation processes that enabled safe and dignified returns. Through coordination with partners and service providers, I strengthened case management systems, reduced processing delays, and enhanced access to documentation, legal rights awareness, and essential services for displaced populations.

Targeted Population: Afghan refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable displaced individuals (including women and children)
Program Format: Case management, RSD processing, legal aid services, and voluntary repatriation support

Focus Area: Refugee protection, legal assistance, and durable solutions
Outcome Goals: Improve access to protection, legal identity, and informed decision-making on return or stay
Program Impact:

• Improved efficiency and accuracy in high-volume RSD and legal aid case processing

• Increased access to legal assistance and protection services for vulnerable refugees

• Supported safe, voluntary repatriation processes for displaced populations

• Strengthened coordination and case management systems, reducing service delivery gaps 

UNDP Electoral Support Program – Pakistan (Funded by the Australian Aid)

The UNDP Electoral Support Program aimed to strengthen democratic processes in Pakistan by supporting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in delivering transparent, inclusive, and credible elections. The program focused on enhancing institutional capacity, promoting civic engagement, and advancing electoral reforms. Key activities included coordinating stakeholders, monitoring and evaluation, program reporting, capacity-building for electoral staff, and voter education initiatives targeting women, youth, and marginalized communities. Through collaboration with national and international partners, the program contributed to improved electoral integrity and public trust in governance.

Role: Strengthened democratic processes and supported the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in delivering credible, inclusive elections.

Targeted Population: Voters (women, youth, marginalized communities) and electoral staff.

Program Format: Stakeholder coordination, technical assistance, capacity building, monitoring & evaluation, voter education campaigns.

Focus Areas:

• Electoral system reform & institutional capacity

• Civic engagement & voter education

• Inclusion of underrepresented groups

Key Achievements & Impact:

• Enhanced ECP readiness for national and provincial elections

• Increased voter awareness and participation among women and youth

• Advanced transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral processes

• Strengthened public trust in democratic governance 

The initiative was funded by the Australian Government upon the request of the Canadian Agency for the International Development. The CESSD project was a multi-sectoral governance initiative aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of primary education, basic health care, and drinking water services across eleven districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The program strengthened community-led governance structures including Social Service Committees, Parent Teacher Councils, Primary Care Management Committees, and Water User Committees—through capacity building, training, and citizen engagement mechanisms. By collaborating with government counterparts, the project institutionalized participatory governance, promoted inclusive decision-making, and advanced gender mainstreaming to empower women in local service delivery.

Role: Strengthened community governance and citizen engagement to improve local service delivery.

Targeted Population: Students, parents, women, and marginalized communities across 11 districts.

Program Format: Multi-sectoral governance initiative; capacity building, training, and government collaboration.

Focus Areas:

• Local governance & citizen engagement

• Primary education, health care, and water services

• Gender equality & inclusive participation

Key Achievements & Impact:

• Student enrolment ↑ 59% → 74%

• Child immunization rates ↑ sixfold

• Trained 10,000+ Water User Council members

• Institutionalized participatory governance mechanisms

• Advanced women’s participation and gender-sensitive service delivery 

Australian High Commission / Australian Aid – Direct Aid Program, and Small Grants Schemes (Pakistan)

The Direct Aid Program (DAP) and associated Small Grants Schemes funded by the Australian High Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) are flexible, community‑focused funding mechanisms that support grassroots development initiatives across Pakistan. These schemes provide small‑scale, high‑impact grants to local NGOs, community groups, and not‑for‑profit organisations to implement practical, sustainable projects aligned with Australia’s development priorities. Projects focus on critical community needs, including health, education, livelihoods, gender equality, inclusion, and resilience. Grants emphasize community ownership, tangible development outcomes, and people‑to‑people engagement that reinforce local capacities and promote sustainable, inclusive growth.

Targeted Population:
Local communities in Pakistan, especially underserved and marginalised groups including women, youth, persons with disability, and rural populations, as well as community‑based organisations implementing development activities.

Program Format:
Flexible small grants program offering grants up to AUD 60,000 for community‑driven projects. Projects are submitted by local NGOs, community groups, educational institutions, and local governments on a non‑profit basis, typically implemented over up to two years, with co‑contributions encouraged.

Focus Area:

• Health, education, water & sanitation

• Women’s empowerment and gender equality

• Economic livelihoods and skills development

• Environmental sustainability and climate resilience

• Youth engagement, inclusion, and capacity building

• Human rights and community governance strengthening.

Outcome Goals:

• Deliver practical, tangible community benefits through locally designed solutions.

• Build local organisation and leadership capacity to sustain development outcomes.

• Strengthen people‑to‑people links and trust between communities and institutions.

• Promote inclusive development with an emphasis on gender equity and participation of marginalised groups.

Program Impact:

• Increased access to essential services and community infrastructure in targeted areas.

• Strengthened civil society and local leadership in development planning and implementation.

• Enhanced empowerment and participation of women and marginalised populations.

• Visible improvements in livelihoods, health, education, and resilience consistent with Australian Government development priorities. 

The Market Development Facility (MDF) Pakistan program aimed to stimulate inclusive economic growth by fostering market-driven solutions that improve livelihoods for low-income communities. By partnering with private sector companies, public institutions, and civil society, the program promoted sustainable business practices, strengthened value chains, and expanded access to services while integrating gender and social inclusion. Through strategic interventions, MDF Pakistan created opportunities for systemic change, ensuring long-term economic resilience and empowerment of marginalized populations.

Targeted Population:
Low-income and marginalized communities, including women, youth, and smallholder farmers, benefiting from inclusive economic opportunities.

Program Format:
Market based development program implemented through public private partnerships, technical assistance, capacity building, and grant-supported interventions.

Focus Area:
Inclusive economic growth, value chain development, access to essential services, and promotion of gender and social inclusion.

Outcome Goals:

• Strengthen market systems and value chains to increase income opportunities.

• Enhance participation of marginalized groups, particularly women and youth.

• Improve access to essential goods, services, and financial resources.

• Promote sustainable and scalable economic interventions with systemic impact.

Program Impact:

• Increased income and livelihood opportunities for low-income communities.

• Strengthened business linkages and market systems supporting sustainable growth.

• Improved access to services and markets for women and marginalized groups.

• Promoted long-term social and economic inclusion, contributing to systemic change.

Australia Awards Scholarships & Alumni Engagement Program - Pakistan

The Australia Awards Scholarships are prestigious, fully‑funded international scholarships funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). They provide citizens of Pakistan with opportunities to undertake study and research at Australian tertiary institutions, with the goal of building leadership skills, advancing knowledge, and empowering scholars to contribute to Pakistan’s development and sustainable growth. The program promotes equitable access, encourages participation from women, people with disabilities, and other marginalised groups, and builds enduring people‑to‑people links between Pakistan and Australia. Complementing the scholarships, alumni engagement activities support professional networks, continuous development, and the application of new skills in sectors aligned with development priorities.

Role: Supported equitable access to world-class education, leadership development, and alumni engagement to strengthen Pakistan-Australia ties.

Targeted Population: Emerging leaders, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups.

Program Format: Fully-funded postgraduate scholarships, professional development, pre-departure support, and alumni engagement.

Focus Areas:

• Leadership, governance & public policy

• Sustainable development & inclusive growth

• Gender equity & social inclusion

Key Achievements & Impact:

• Empowered scholars to drive community and sectoral change

• Increased participation of women and marginalized groups in higher education

• Strengthened institutional and technical capacity through international partnerships

• Built an engaged alumni network contributing to Pakistan’s development