Speakers

Dr. AHMAD, Shahid
 Member Natural Resources
 

Dr. Ahmad holds a Ph D. in Agricultural Engineering with specialization in Water Management. He started his career in early 1975 as Consulting Engineer with the Colorado State University Field Team, USAID, Islamabad where pioneering research was conducted in water management leading to establishment of On-Farm Water Management Programme in the country. During mid-1976, he joined Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and contributed in initiating National Programme on “Consumptive Use of Water for Major Crops”. Later on in 1980s, he initiated research programmes in the area of Land and Water Resources as Founding Director in PARC. He contributed in pioneering research and development for water management and conservation for Barani and irrigated areas of Pakistan leading towards development of new knowledge and technologies.

During 1990s, he contributed in the development of Water Resources Research Institute at the National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad where pioneering work was accomplished on: a) development and indigenization of sprinkler and drip irrigation systems and skimming well technology; b) water management for Barani, mountainous and Rod-Kohi areas; c) soil and water conservation; and d) renewable energy resources for water pumping. He also contributed significantly in the establishment of Space Informatics laboratory with facility of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Image Processing and Remote Sensing (RS). He was also able to develop a trained team of GIS/RS experts, who is now actively engaged in the development of integrated database development, Water Informatics and On-job Trainings. 

During 2001, he was posted as Chief Scientific Officer/Senior Director Land and Water Resources in PARC, where he was able to initiate a National Research Programme on “Management of Spate Irrigation Systems in Pakistan”. During this period he also worked as Member Incharge Natural Resources and Crops.

During 2005-05, he led the Team who formulated the draft Water Policy for Balochistan, which was approved by the provincial Cabinet on March 9th 2006. He also contributed in the development of conceptual framework for the formulation of National Programme under the initiatives of Prime Minister of Pakistan for the “Introduction of High Efficiency Irrigation Systems in Pakistan”.

During August 2005, he joined as Project Coordinator, ADB TA Grant Project, Supporting Implementation of Water Policy in Balochistan. During this period he initiated Policy Briefings (Water for Balochistan) to assist the policy makers for effective decision making. Have 286 publications in journals, international proceedings, books, monographs, reports. He was called back by PARC during September 2008 and he is working as Member Natural Resources since 23rd September 2008.  

Mr. ALAM, Rafay Ahmad
Chairman of the Board of Directors- Lahore Electric Supply Company

Ahmad Rafay Alam is a lawyer, academic and environment activist. He recently took a leave of absence from his position as Senior Associate at Hassan & Hassan (Advocates) to give more attention to role as newly elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Lahore Electric Supply Company.

Rafay is a member of the faculty of the Law & Policy Department at the Lahore University of Management Sciences as well as the Departments of Architecture and Law at Punjab University. At LUMS, Rafay is the coordinator of the environment and natural resource cluster of the Development Policy Research Center and is Program Manager of the LUMS Water Project.

Rafay is also involved in several pro bono public interest litigation cases before the Lahore High Court and Supreme Court of Pakistan. Rafay also has experience in urban planning and development and was recently part of the Planning Commission Task Force on Urban Development.

Dr. CHAUDHRY, Qamar uz Zaman
Advisor (Climate Affairs), Ministry of Defence, Govt. of Pakistan
 

Dr.Qamar-u-Zaman Chaudhry has extensive work experience of thirty nine years in the field of Meteorology - Climate and related sciences. His present assignment is Advisor (Climate Affairs) Govt of Pakistan. He has also served as director General Pakistan Meteorological Department . He is Permanent Representative of Pakistan with World Meteorological Organisation. He is Vice-President World Meteorological organization Asia-Region and Secretary UNESCAP/WMO Panel on Tropical Cyclones.

His areas of expertise focuses on Forecasting & Warning of Natural Disasters which include forecasting & tracking of tropical storms, flood forecasting, forecasting of flash floods, forecasting of strong monsoon systems, Global Warming; Climate Change and its impact on Environment, Agriculture and Forests. He has the honor of winning a number of awards such as the SAARC Best Young Scientist Research Award for 1993, President's Pride of Performance Award-1999 by Government of Pakistan, and International Award of recognition by American Biographical Institute that included his name in the "Five Thousand Personalities of the World” for his outstanding contributions to science. He has membership of a number of National and International committees including Planning Commission, Task Force on Climate Change, Ministry of Environment’s Technical Advisory Panel on Climate Change, Governing Board National Institute of Oceanography, National Science Council (NSC),World Meteorological Organization Asia Region, Regional Association for Asia (RA-II) and many more. Some of his publications include, “Long Range Forecasting of Monsoon Rainfall in Pakistan”, “Severe Dust Storm at Karachi, 31st May 1986” , “Analysis and Seasonal Prediction of Pakistan Summer Monsoon Rainfall”, “Effects of Climate on Health", "Monthly Fog Frequency in Pakistan" ,"Possible Climatic Consequences of a Major Nuclear War”, “Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Forests in Pakistan”, “Disaster Management in Rural Areas”, “Climate Change Impact Assessment and Adaptation Strategies in Pakistan”.
He is also the Lead Author of Draft National Climate Change Policy, 2011.

Mr. MAHMOOD, Ashfaq
Co-Chair of the Trilateral Dialogue between Pakistan, Afghanistan and US on Water Shed Management and Irrigation Technologies

Mr. Ashfaq Mahmood is an expert on Energy and Water issues. He had been Federal Secretary for Ministries of Water and Power, IT&Telecom, Planning and Development, Kashmir Affairs, Northern Areas, States and Frontier Region, Youth Affairs, Sports and Science and Technology. He had also been Special Secretary, Ministry of Finance , founding Managing Director of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority in Pakistan and head of the Energy Wing of Planning Commission. He retired as Federal Secretary in December 2008.

Presently he is the Co-Chair of the Trilateral Dialogue between Pakistan, Afghanistan and US on Water Shed Management and Irrigation Technologies. He is also patron of Energy Management Program of COMSATS Institute of Information Technology and Advisor to Tethyan Copper Company.

Mr. Mahmood had been intimately involved in the recent water issues with India on Baglihar Dam, Kishanganga and Wular Barrage projects. He led Secretary Level Talks with India on water issues and Pakistan’s team in the case before the Neutral Expert on Baglihar Dam project. He also participated in the discussions on South Asia Water Cooperation (Abu Dhabi Group) , UN conference on Cross Border Governance Issues including water and Track II discussions on water issues between India and Pakistan (Neemrana and Institute of Conflict and Peace Studies). Besides, he had also been following up on water related matters with Afghanistan.

He has led preparation of several national plans and policies including draft National Water Policy , Independent Private Power Policies, Renewable Energy Policy , IT & Telecom Policy, National Youth Policy, Power Tariff Policy and several Socio-Economic Policies. He is well versed with various projects and issues in water and power sector in Pakistan , including but not limited to, water distribution amongst provinces, large canals and dams, telemetry, irrigation system, water conservation, power/energy supply and demand, energy conservation etc.

Mr. Mahmood is an Electrical Engineer with MS degree from USA. He had been a visiting scholar for UPENN’s Energy Policy program and Resource Person for training programs at Ukraine, Bangladesh, Nigeria and USA. He had been a member of Board of Directors of several companies/organizations and Chairman of two large engineering organizations in Pakistan.

Mr. Ashfaq Mahmood holds National Talent’s Medal from Pakistan and Eta KAPPA Nu honour from USA.
 

Ms. KAMAL,Simi
Founder and Chairperson of Raasta Marketing Research and the founder and Chief
Executive of Raasta Development Consultants.

With interest and extensive experience in water, environment, gender and institutional development sectors, Simi Kamal is an internationally recognized professional and has been active in the social development sector since the 1980s. She currently heads a USAID-supported US$ 40 million fund to support the advancement and empowerment of women in Pakistan (called the Gender Equity Program) and chairs Hisaar Foundation – a foundation for water, food and livelihood security. She has also been a member of Global Water Partnership’s South Asia Technical Advisory Committee (SASTAC) 2000-2002, and served as a member of GWP Technical Committee (TEC) for six years from 2003 - 2009. She has developed Women and Water Networks in South Asia and, more recently, the Karachi Water Partnership, the first water partnership in a mega city.

                     

Mr. Lamballe, Alain
 Brigadier-General (rtd)

Alain Lamballe was a Brigadier-General (R) from military academy of Saint-Cyr. He has done his PhD in political sociology and diplomas from the Paris School of Oriental Languages and Civilisations in Hindi, Urdu and Hungarian. He is the Corresponding member of the Académie des Sciences d’Outre-Mer and Asie 21/Futuribles. He is also the Chairperson of the association Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale/Asie Moyen-Orient (IHEDN/AMO).

 

 Mr. MULK, Shamsul
 Former Chairman WAPDA

Shamsul Mulk, Ph.D., HI, is a Pakistani civil engineer and a Technocrat. Shamsul Mulk had served as the 24th Chief Minister of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province under the Military Government of Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf. He had also served as Chairman Water and Power Development Authority WAPDA of Pakistan. He was 3rd Chairperson of Board of Governors of Sustainable Development Policy Institute.

 

Mr. PALIJO, Ayaz Latif
Constitutional Lawyer, Water & Human Rights Consultant

Ayaz Latif Palijo is a lawyer by profession and an activist, lecturer & writer by interest. He is a graduate of Civil Engineering from Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, graduate of Law from Sindh University Jamshoro Pakistan, has done his graduation in Environment and Development from LEAD Int. and has done his M.Sc. in Rural Development from SU and Wye College UK. He has a community development and job experience of 16 years with Irrigation & Power Department, Sindh Arid Zone Development Authority (SAZDA), Oxfam, Swiss NGO Program Office, HRCP, Legal Practice and with the largest Monthly magazine Subuh Theendo-Tahreek. 

He has introduced the new trends of Public Interest Litigation (on bonded labour, violence against women, children and minorities and on honor killings, child labor, animal rights, prisoner rights etc) in the rural areas of Sindh Pakistan and has been working as a Lecturer in Sindh Law College and has also been holding the responsibilities of Chairman Sindh Research Council (SRC) & President Forum For Rights Justice & Peace (FRJP) for the last several years. At present he has been practicing as a leading constitutional lawyer of Sindh High Court Hyderabad and contributing as a Fellow of Cohort 7 of LEAD Pakistan. He has been contributing in advocacy and research initiatives of SRC, SCF, SIF, Subuh Theendo, Tahreek and email communication in the fields of Development, Politics, Environment, Human Rights, Legal Aid and Conservation. 

He has written extensively on environment, politics, education & gender issues in mainstream newspapers. He has written five books including hundreds of columns and travelogues of USA, UK, France, Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, China, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Norway, South Africa, Canada, Sri Lanka, UAE, Singapore & Hong Kong.

He has remained the member of several International Forums and Organizations including IWHA, LEAD, CASTME, IASFM, WCD Consultative Group. His areas of expertise are: bonded labor in Pakistan, violence against women, children and minorities in south asia, honour killings, child labour, animal rights, prisoner rights, religious extremism in south asia, water, irrigation and large dams, provincial autonomy and public interest litigation. 
 

Dr. HABIB, Zaigham
Consultant Water Resources and Environment

Dr.Zaigham Habib has worked in the water sector of Pakistan as a development and planning consultant, a researcher, and an advisor on policy issues. She has contributed in strategic forums on climate change and trans-boundary issues. She has many research publications on water challenges faced by the Indus Basin.

 

 

Mr. QUTUB, Syed Ayub
Former Board Member, LEAD Pakistan, Executive Director, PIEDAR

Syed Ayub Qutub has 30 years experience in environment conservation, sustainable development, and urban & regional planning, specialises in strategy and programme formulation, policy advice, leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, and in facilitating public meetings and expert workshops. Mr. Qutub is the Founder-Member and currently President of PIEDAR, a non-profit institution.

PIEDAR is involved in environmental action research with grass roots organisations of Pakistan in 32 villages and eight low-income urban communities in Punjab, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Balochistan.

From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Qutub was the Co-ordinator and Principal Writer of Pakistan's National Conservation Strategy (NCS). Mr. Qutub also worked with the Climate Institute, USA in developing Pakistan’s Response Strategy to Climate Change (1992-93) and with Harvard University’s Environmental Systems Group, to develop environmental quality indices (1994-95). Syed Ayub has represented Pakistan at the 11th Plenary of the Inter-Government Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Rome, 1995. Mr. Qutub is mentioned in Who’s Who in the World’s Environment and Conservation (Earthscan /IUCN, 1997).

 

Mr. SHEIKH, Ali Tauqeer
Chief Executive Officer/Board Secretary- LEAD

Ali’s contribution is, he has challenged the myth that leaders are born, not made – by developing and nurturing the networks of young, energetic, dynamic and committed leaders in various areas of sustainable development from multi-sectors – government, business, media, academia, and civil society.

In March 2010, LEAD forged a partnership with the UK Department for International Development [DFID] and launched CDKN - Climate & Development Knowledge Network. Ali is the CDKN’s Asia Director and in this capacity contributing towards making the globe climate compatible. He also heads LEAD’s Climate Leaders Action Network [CLAN] which gives him access to over 2,000 experts in the field.

Ali specializes in various facets of sustainable development, particularly in poverty-environment nexus, vulnerabilities and equitable development. He thinks quickly and makes the result oriented decisions – without fearing for making wrong decisions! ‘One should be able to decide. Making a wrong decision is much better than living in a state of indecisiveness!’ That’s what he shares with people around him.

Ali travels widely to represent LEAD at various national/international forums including the top meetings from the Earth Summit to Copenhagen.

Ali has a master’s in International Relations [Australian National University, Canberra]. Another master’s in Strategic Studies [University of Miami, Florida]; has been a Fellow at the Institute of Soviet and East European Studies (ISEES) Miami and the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) in London. He set up the LEAD Program in Pakistan while he was a Research Fellow the Rockefeller Foundation in New York.