People at Karandaaz - Karandaaz Pakistan

Waqas ul Hasan

Chief Executive Officer

Mr Waqas ul Hasan joins Karandaaz as Chief Executive Officer. He is credited with designing the Enterprise and Asset Growth Programme of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), arranging co-financing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and then setting up Karandaaz Pakistan for implementation of the programme. Mr Hasan has previously served as member on key Karandaaz Committees (Investment, Digital Finance) and as Observer on the Boards of Karandaaz, Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and Parwaaz Financial Services Limited (PFSL).

Mr Hasan has rich experience of designing and implementing a wide range of development finance programmes on infrastructure finance, public private partnerships, climate finance, MSME finance, credit guarantees and digital finance. He has also advised on financial sector projects in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Jordan and the UK. Mr Hasan has special interest in investment climate related regulatory reforms, seeding innovations, entrepreneurship and establishing key institutions to foster a rich development and impact finance landscape in the country. Mr Hasan has previously worked at senior staff and advisory positions in the public sector and at FCDO and the Asian Development Bank. He holds a Masters in Finance from the London Business School and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. He is also certified as Director by the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance.

Adeeb Ali Mirza

Chief Financial Officer, Karandaaz Pakistan

Adeeb Ali Mirza is currently heading the Finance Department of Karandaaz Pakistan. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) having vast experience in planning, implementing, managing, and controlling finance-related activities. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was engaged in public practice as a sole practitioner chartered accountant providing various services including auditing, transaction advisory, financial and tax due diligence, etc., primarily to the oil and gas sector companies. At Karandaaz, he is engaged in donor reporting, managing treasury functions, coordinating with auditors, and corporate compliance, etc.

Navid Goraya

Chief Investment Officer

Navid Goraya brings with himself over 25 years of global experience in asset management, investment strategy, product development and corporate finance. Before joining Karandaaz as the CIO, he was leading a Strategic Advisory Firm, White Oak Advisors Inc, in New York where he was involved in serving private equity funds, family offices, banks and insurance companies in support of global investments in the US, Middle East, South East Asia and South Asia. Earlier, at HSBC USA, Navid advised approx US$6 billion in specialized funds of HSBC and led a global wealth team covering North America, the GCC, and South East Asia. He has also led specialized Investment Banking teams at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Qatar National Bank. At IICG Bahrain, he led a Capital Markets Group managing proprietary funds and endowment portfolios. In Pakistan, Navid has led an award-winning research team at a leading brokerage house in the Karachi Stock Exchange. Navid has an MBA from IBA (University of Karachi) and has also attended the High-Performance Leadership Programs at INSEAD, Fontainebleau, and London Business School. He also serves on the advisory boards of firms in life sciences and financial services in New York.

Shumaila Rifaqat

Director Innovation Investments

Shumaila Rifaqat brings with her 15 years of work experience in influencing public policy, designing and implementing large scale reform programmes, institutional development and change management. Prior to joining Karandaaz, she was associated with DFID Pakistan as Governance Advisor & Tax Lead on Economic Reform support to government and private sector. She has also worked with World Bank-Pakistan as Social Protection Specialist and Asian Development Bank as Programme Analyst - Governance Unit. Shumaila holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University, Cambridge and a Masters in Economics (MSc.) from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.

Sharjeel Murtaza

Chief Digital Officer

Sharjeel Murtaza is an astute professional with 16+ years of diverse digital/IT transformation experience. He has been with Karandaaz Pakistan for 3 years and has successfully delivered in the roles of Associate Director Digital Transformation and Head of Digital Transformation Projects prior to being appointed as the Director for Digital Financial Services.

Sharjeel has attained continuous professional development and career progression by successfully delivering in domains of digital transformation, digital financial services, IT strategic planning, enterprise solution delivery management and infrastructure deployment/consolidation. He is highly passionate about establishment of an interoperable digital eco-system and catalyzing innovation for creating impact through digitalization for the underserved segments of Pakistan. Sharjeel is also an avid proponent of business process improvement, re-engineering and focus on change management for attainment of higher value from transformative interventions.

Mohammed Ghairat Hayat

Head of Risk & Compliance

Mohammed Ghairat Hayat has cumulative work experience of over 15 years in progressively senior roles with a diverse set of organizations in the financial sector, including a commercial bank, microfinance bank, and development finance institution. His areas of expertise include credit, market, liquidity, and operational risk management, and the Basel Framework. He is a CFA charterholder, certified Financial Risk Manager, and alumnus of Imperial College London. His most recent role was as Head of Risk Management and Credit Administration at Saudi Pak Industrial & Agricultural Investment Co. Ltd.

Daniyal Haq Awan

Head of Internal Audit

Daniyal is a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan with fourteen years of diversified professional experience in External/Internal Auditing, Risk Management, Project Management and Regulatory Compliance. Prior to joining Karandaaz, Daniyal was leading the Internal Audit function at Khushhali Microfinance Bank. During his tenure there, he played a pivotal role in the transformation and alignment of its Internal Audit function with International Standards on Internal Auditing.

Umber Shakeel

Head of People Services

Umber Shakeel is an HR professional with over 11 years of experience. She has worked as an HR Generalist and then a Strategist in the Development, Education and Corporate Sector. She believes that diversity and inclusion are the future of a progressive organization and has been championing the cause in her last job at Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. She created and ran Pakistan's largest employee volunteer force - PTCL Razakaar, that received multiple accolades for philanthropy and employee engagement during her five year tenure. Umber has a Masters in Business Administration from the Riphah International University Pakistan and a Bachelors in Business Administration from the Curtin Business School Australia. She holds professional training in HR Strategy, People Management, Digital Trainings and Design Thinking in addition to D&I.

Darakshan

Company Secretary

With 14 years of professional experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, audit, and financial reporting, Darakshan holds dual Chartered Accountant qualifications from ICAP and ICAEW. She is also a member of The Institute of Corporate Secretaries of Pakistan and a Certified Director from ICAP. Prior to her current role at Karandaaz, she led Corporate & Legal Affairs at Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund as Senior General Manager. Her professional journey also includes substantial experience within the regulatory sector such as SECP and the Stock Exchange. Darakshan’s career aspirations are driven by her passion for fostering robust corporate governance and regulatory best practices.

Hasnat Ashraf

Head of Development Impact

Hasnat Ashraf brings with him over 10 years of diverse work experience, primarily focusing on enterprise development, pro-poor value chains, micro, small and medium financing, risk analysis and product and process innovations. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was working with Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) as Portfolio Manager where he was managing a portfolio of over PKR 8 billion to a wide range of Non-Bank Microfinance Institutions. He has also been associated with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) as Portfolio Manager and HBL as Relationship Manager - Corporate Banking Group. Hasnat holds an M.Sc. International Business and Management from the University of Bradford, UK. He also holds an MBA (Banking & Finance) from University of The Punjab, Lahore.

Muhammad Usman Ahmed

Administration Officer

Muhammad Usman Ahmed currently works as Assistant Administration at Karandaaz Pakistan. Since 2010, he has been working in similar roles at various organizations.

Mushtaq Ahmed

Manager Administration, Karandaaz Pakistan

Mushtaq Ahmed holds more than 20 years of progressive experience working with financial and development organizations. His core expertise lies in financial management and administration. Previously, he served at Management Sciences for Health (USAID Project), Sarhad Rural Support Programme, Financial Sector Strengthening Programme (a project of SDC), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (German Political Foundation), and Search for Common Ground (INGO).

Hasaan Anwar Raza

Associate Director DPI

Hasaan Anwar has a rich experience in the telecom and financial services industry – spanning across more than 9 years. Currently, he is working in Karandaaz digital team as Senior Technical Project Manager. Previously he was working at Telenor Pakistan as a financial services technology expert where his focus was on the technology strategy and architecture while collaborating with Telenor Group and its business units. Other than easypaisa, he has also worked for DTAC (Telenor’s BU in Thailand) and Zong (CMPak). He is a graduate of LUMS with a BSc. Honors degree.

Taimoor Ali

Group Head - Digital Financial Services Projects

Taimoor Ali brings with him more than 8 years of work experience of the telecommunication sector with expertise in the field of managing mobile money partnerships, product development, project management, strategy & pricing, P&L analysis, and direct business sales. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was working at Telenor Pakistan (Easypaisa) as Assistant Manager Corporates and Online Payments (Financial Services – Digital Payments). He has also worked as ERP Specialist (Project Management) at PTCL.

Faisal Mehmood

Head of Digital Public Infrastructure

Faisal Mahmood comes with over 16 years of work experience in the IT and banking industry with special focus on project management, process re-engineering, branchless & e-banking and business development. Previously, he was working as Head of IT & ADCs with National Bank of Pakistan’s Islamic Banking Group (NBP-Aitemaad), where he was leading the IT and e-banking portfolio. He also worked in the capacity of Head of IT Procurement & Vendor Management and Head of PMO at NBP. Prior to NBP, Faisal was associated with SunGard as a Consulting Practice Manager, where he was the Project Manager for core banking implementation/post implementation management for MCB bank, MCB Islamic bank, Burj bank & Faysal bank. He has also worked with Experton, AMZ Group, and UBL and has various certifications on project management and Islamic banking. Faisal also holds MCS (IT Management & E-commerce) degree from SZABIST and Bachelors from FAST & PIMAST.

Ahmed Kamal

Program Manager

Ahmed's journey with Karandaaz, which began 6 years ago as a Finance Specialist, has been nothing short of extraordinary. As a stalwart of the Finance Department, he ascended the ranks with promotions to Sr. Specialist Finance and then AM Budgeting & Treasury. His journey reached its zenith when he was appointed Manager Finance through an internal hiring process, where he consistently played a pivotal role. Ahmed's wealth of expertise and unwavering passion now journey with him to the DFS team. We have had the privilege of witnessing his remarkable growth and development within Karandaaz, and we are confident that he will make a significant impact in his new role as Program Manager.

Lalarukh Iqbal

Senior Manager, Procurement

Lalarukh Iqbal brings with her over 10 years of diverse work experience in the field of supply chain management (procurement and logistics). Prior to joining Karandaaz Pakistan, she was working with Inbox Business Technologies as Manager – SCM Transformation, where she was primarily responsible for delivering transformation for SCM and finance. Prior to Inbox Business Technologies, she worked at VEON, looking after IT supply chain and strategies for business support systems, enterprise support systems, and application development management. Lalarukh holds MS degree (Management) from Szabist University, Pakistan and also holds MBA degree (Finance) from NUST Business School, Pakistan.

Ali Akbar Ghanghro

Senior Manager, Research & Insights

Over the past 9 years, Ali Akbar Ghanghro has worked in various capacities in non-profits, think tanks and the government in both Pakistan and Canada. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was working as a Team Lead Research with Lead Pakistan where he was primarily responsible for managing the Research Portfolio of the Punjab Saaf Pani Project and providing strategic input to the CEO on funding raising opportunities. He was also associated with Pakistan Microfinance Network as Research Manager and Ministry of Finance-Government of British Columbia as Tax Policy Analyst. His areas of interest include public finance, public-private partnerships and financial inclusion. Ali holds a Masters in Economics from the University of Ottawa and brings diverse experience in research and advocacy.

Maryam Sohail

Analyst Admin Operations

Maryam Sohail, prior to joining Karandaaz, has worked in Admin and HR on another DFID funded project, implemented by IMC Worldwide. She has also worked with Creative Associates International as Admin and Grants assistant. Maryam graduated from COMSATS University with a Bachelors in Business Administration and holds a Masters degree from SZABIST University.

Muhammad Ali Shah

Manager Procurement

Muhammad Ali Shah is a seasoned Procurement and Operations professional with over 22 years of diverse experience in multinational companies and the development sector in Pakistan. Before joining Karandaaz, he played a pivotal role in Operations Management and Procurement. He has extensive experience working on multiple USAID-funded projects and leading roles in multinational and private sectors, where he excelled in operations, procurement and contracts management, negotiation, conflict resolution, supplier relationships, logistics, and administration. He holds an MS in Supply Chain from Bahria University, Islamabad. Additionally, he is CIPS Diploma Level 4 certified professional. Muhammad’s comprehensive expertise and robust qualifications make him a standout leader in the procurement and operations field.

Samia Salik

Gender Lead

Prior to joining Karandaaz, Samia Salik was working with Jazz Pakistan as MBB Segment Specialist. She has also worked in Telenor as Channel Planning Executive. She has experience of products, pricing & analytics in Telecommunication Sector. She has also been associated with Launchpad Interactive, a digital marketing firm where she looked after the on ground & digital activations of local brands of Pakistan. She holds an MBA (Marketing) and BBA (Marketing) from International Islamic University. Samia's journey with Karandaaz began 6 years ago as a Senior Analyst - DFS Insights. She ascended the ranks with promotions to Manager Innovation and then Senior Manager Innovation & Enablement. She has been instrumental in significantly expanding the private sector portfolio within the DFS unit. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Samia is a passionate advocate for diversity and gender inclusion in her personal interactions.

Nasir Saleem

Manager Risk & Compliance

Nasir Saleem brings with him over seven years of experience in the domain of risk management. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he has been associated with Askari Bank where he was part of Risk Management Group looking after Market Risk & Analytics, Data Analytics & Capital Adequacy under Basel Framework. He joined Askari Bank as a Management Trainee and grew to the role of Senior Analyst – Market Risk & Capital. Nasir has completed MBA and BBA specializing in Finance from NUST Business School.

Sana Bilal

Manager Fintech Ecosystem

Prior to joining Karandaaz, Sana was working with Telenor as Corporate Innovation Expert. During her time at Telenor, she worked in various divisions and was involved in the launch of an innovation program that focused on design thinking, promoted the adoption of a sprint framework for creative problem solving, alternate payment methods and was involved in the launch of Google Play. Sana also has experience of launching a number of digital products in startup mode from her work at the digital division at Telenor. Sana holds an MBA from COMSATS Lahore.

Awais Shafi

Specialist Procurement

Awais Shafi, prior to joining Karandaaz, has been part of procurement teams at SNGPL and Wi-tribe Pakistan. Having a SAP FI certification from Siemens Pakistan, Awais has led and trained SAP FI module trainings. He carries an Honors degree from Oxford Brookes University, UK, and an MBA from SZABIST, Pakistan.

Hasan Saeed

Analyst Research & Insights

Hasan Saeed is a Knowledge Analyst with over five years of experience. He has worked as Research Lead and Associate in the startup ecosystem of Pakistan. Hasan believes in fostering the tech-driven ecosystem by monitoring insights and propelling relationships between public and private sector through teamwork and leadership. His previous work has also dealt with these tenets through research at startups.

Abbas Zulqarnain

Assistant Manager People Services

Abbas Zulqarnain has joined the HR team today. He has a postgraduate degree in Human Resource Management (M.HRM) and has over 8 years of experience in various sub-functions of HR in the industrial sectors of Banking, Media & Communications, Engineering and Construction. Abbas believes in open communication and is known to be respectful and trustworthy by his colleagues. He holds a passion for traveling and exploring new places.

Abdul Rehman Basit

Senior Analyst Private Equity

Abdul Rehman Basit has a well-rounded exposure of different industries as a Corporate Finance and Investment Banking professional. Before joining Karandaaz, he was working as an Associate at Synergistic Financial Advisors. He has taken part in multi-million-dollar transaction deals for GCC-based holding companies in several industries including but not limited to Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, Cement, e-Commerce, Solid Waste Management and Transportation sector to name a few. He is a specialist in constructing comprehensive financial models and deal advisory structuring. He holds an MBA in Finance, has a certification in Fixed Income Trading and Investments from USAID and is aspiring for CFA.

Alishba Zaheer

Analyst People Services

Alishba Zaheer is a graduate of NUST and an aspiring HR professional. She has worked as a Talent Acquisition Intern at PTCL where she successfully assisted in the recruitment and administration of new hires. She understands the importance of positive business culture and how it can increase employee morale and encourage equitable workplaces. She looks forward to playing her role in creating and enhancing a climate that promotes inclusion, equity, and diversity where employees of all backgrounds can thrive.

Saad Sarfraz

Analyst Adoption & Continuous Improvement

Saad Sarfraz is a well-known face around KRN and has contributed greatly to the RMC team prior to his current assignment with Analyst Adoption & Continuous Improvement. Saad has been a standout contributor to our research portfolio, demonstrating excellence in the dynamic field of digital financial services within the Research and Insights team. Leveraging his invaluable experience, Saad now assumes a pivotal role in DFS implementation, signifying a strategic progression in his journey at Karandaaz. Prior to this, Saad was engaged as a consultant in the MEL team, playing a significant role in developing the environmental and social management policy for PFSL.

Ramsha Khan

Senior Analyst Marketing & Communications

Ramsha Khan is a marketing professional and has over 5 years of experience working as a digital marketeer, graphic designer, and copywriter in the Telecom, Retail, Education, and Food sectors. Coming from Symmetry Group, she aims to build a career that empowers those around her. She believes in the power of the written word and the short strokes of paint that help give voice to stories that are in urgent need to be told.

Itrat Batool

Manager Corporate Finance & Treasury

Itrat's remarkable trajectory with Karandaaz began as a Short-Term Technical Assistant (STTA), which seamlessly transitioned into a full-time role within the Risk & Compliance team. Itrat has a sound scholastic record and holds an MBA in Finance from NUST Business School. She is pursuing a certification in Microsoft Power Bi and is also an aspiring CFA Level 2 candidate. With over 8 years of comprehensive experience spanning financial analysis, corporate finance, and risk management, she has been instrumental in implementing robust financial controls to align with organizational objectives. Her outstanding performance and financial acumen have paved the way for significant growth opportunities including her latest role as Manager Corporate Finance & Treasury at Karandaaz.

Saad Bin Qaiser

Assistant Manager Finance

Saad Bin Qaiser is an accounting professional with over 14 years of diversified experience in preparing financial statements, financial forecasts, financial modeling, project appraisals and as an audit liaison. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was working as a Corporate Analyst with the Shahzad Group of Companies - one of the largest privately owned E&P companies of the country. Saad holds a bachelor's degree in Applied Accounting and is a part-qualified ACCA.

Musawir Hussain

Associate Investment

Musawir Hussain is a dynamic business professional with diverse experience in investment banking and private equity, with specialization in deal advisory and financial modeling. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was working as a Chief Investment Officer at Apex & Company Limited, where he was responsible for developing an active investment pipeline. During his professional career, he has been associated with prestigious organizations such as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), Pakbrunei Investment Company Limited (PBICL), Rupani Foundation, and Copperchase Limited (UK). As a member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan and a certified director, he assisted the government in initiatives related to financial access and economic empowerment in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Bilal Safat

Associate Investment

Bilal Safat is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants UK (ACCA), with over 12 years of experience in Finance. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was working as a Finance Manager in a multinational telecom engineering company - LCC Pakistan, where he was leading the Finance function in areas of FP&A, Strategy, Project Investment Appraisals, and Financial Controlling. While being with LCC Pakistan, he got exposure to multiple corporate groups like LCC International US, Tech Mahindra, and Talkpool Switzerland. He also served the group at a regional level and worked on different assignments with senior management.

Saqib Tariq

Associate Strategic Equity Investment

Saqib Tariq is a passionate finance professional with zeal for sustainable finance. He started his career at S&P Global Market Intelligence and went on to lead the financial institution research for APAC. He brings in experience of banking research, valuation, financial modelling and data analysis. Saqib is a Chevening Scholarship awardee and holds a Master in Finance (MFin) degree with distinction from the University of Glasgow. He is currently pursuing the CFA certification. Apart from finance, he enjoys chess, table tennis and reading.

Hammad Ghaznavi

Specialist Treasury

Hammad holds an MBA degree from Bahria University Islamabad. He joined Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited in March 2015 and after completing 1 year he joined Bestway Cement Limited in 2016. His career spans over 7 years with most of it spent in the treasury department. His last assignment, before joining Karandaaz was with Edotco Pakistan Pvt Ltd where he served as Senior Executive Treasury. Hammad has diverse experience in the Treasury operations including Trade Finance as prime key area along with Cash Management, Investments, Marine insurance. He has good understanding of Cash Forecasting and UCP 600.

Zain Zaidi

Analyst Finance

Zain is an ACCA member and a finance professional with over five years of experience in the audit and telecom sectors. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he worked as an Executive Finance at Trans World Enterprise Services. Before that, he served as a Senior Audit Associate at KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co. Zain believes that the promotion of start-ups and SMEs is the best way to help society accomplish job creation and economic growth

Danyal Ahmed

Assistant Manager MarCom

Danyal Ahmed is a Communications professional with over 7 years of experience creating impactful content and brand identities. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he has worked with various organizations including EU, NUST, Nutrition International, UNDP, and USAID. Danyal is dedicated to crafting authentic brands that resonate with audiences and drive societal change. He has expertise in media strategy and marketing operations. He holds an MA in Advertising from Bournemouth University and a BS in Mass Communication from NUST.

Miqdad Haider

Associate Credit

Miqdad Haider is a finance professional with over 10 years of diverse experience. In the past, he has worked in the Credit Rating Agency, Microfinance, and Banking sectors. Before joining Karandaaz, he was associated with the Pak China Investment Company Limited as Assistant Vice President – Corporate Banking Group handling a wide range of corporate relationships in sectors such as Sugar, Oil & Gas, Textile, Banking, Telecommunications, Power, and Microfinance. Miqdad holds a BSc. degree in Accounting from the Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and has also cleared two levels of the CFA program.

Amina Shahid

Senior Analyst Research & Insights

Amina Shahid is a dedicated professional with a fervent interest in economics. She completed her BSc in Economics from LUMS, where she honed her understanding of economic principles and developed critical thinking skills. Over the past six years, she has amassed valuable experience, including international assignments in Sri Lanka and Fiji with the prestigious Market Development Facility. These opportunities have equipped her with the ability to navigate intricate market landscapes and effect tangible change. Looking ahead, Amna's career aspirations center around leveraging her expertise to shape inclusive economic policies, drive sustainable development, and instigate positive social transformations in communities worldwide.

Muhammad Kamran Tauqir

Specialist Innovation Investment

Kamran Tauqir carries with him over 8 years of work experience of which he spent majority of the time in managing multiple areas of risk including Investment, Market, Liquidity, Credit and Operational risk for Khushhali Microfinance Bank Limited while also leading implementation of IFRS 9 in the bank. Kamran has been part of Pakistan Center for Philanthropy (PCP) where he evaluated different non-profit organizations all over the country for their program delivery and its efficiency and effectiveness. He believes that financial inclusion is at the heart of economic development of any country and it requires intent and innovation at the same time to achieve this objective. Kamran qualified ACCA in 2013 and is into the last level of his CFA.

Misbah Jilani

Manager Financial Accounting and Reporting

Misbah Jilani is a finance and accounting professional with a decade of valuable work experience under her belt. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having dedicated 8 years with PwC Islamabad, gaining comprehensive expertise in financial auditing and taxation. She further expanded her horizons by joining Quixel Pakistan - Epic Games Inc., where she spent two years contributing her financial acumen and playing a vital role in the company's growth and success.

Yasir Farhan

Graphic Designer

Yasir Farhan has a passion for advertising and a desire to deliver excellence and innovation through his projects. He brings more than 15 years of experience in the industry, including 3 years as a Consultant Graphic Designer with Karandaaz Pakistan. Here, he has collaborated with the Marketing & Communications team to support various verticals, such as Digital, Capital, Innovation and Research, and ensured consistent and effective branding across all communication channels. Yasir has a keen eye for design and a creative flair that aligns with the company's vision.

Naureen Bakhsh Chaudhry

MEL Specialist

With over 11 years of experience, Naureen excels in project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge handling. In her past roles, she led programs at Research and Development Solutions (RADS) and successfully directed a financial inclusion project at CARE International in Pakistan. Naureen is deeply committed to enhancing financial inclusion in Pakistan, especially for women. She holds a Master's in Project Management from the University of Southern Queensland, along with an MBA and a BBA Hons (Gold Medalist) from Bahria University.

Aamir Hameed

Associate Director Digital Transformations

Aamir Hameed is a seasoned IT and telecom professional with over 20 years of experience. He has multidimensional experience in delivering varied-scale projects and initiatives in the technology and marketing arena, particularly in establishing a digital ecosystem and driving transformational programs in the telecom industry. He is a passionate professional with an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to innovate, draft, and deploy strategies to attain the required excellence and results. He has a strong interest in keeping a keen eye on current and emerging trends and technologies in the global communication, digital, and financial landscape.

Shahzeb Faisal

Analyst Innovation & Enablement

Shahzeb Faisal is a professional working at the crossroads of management and technology, having obtained a Bachelor's in Engineering from the National University of Science and Technology and a Master's in Management from the Technical University of Munich, Germany. He has previously worked at a Silicon Valley Venture Capital firm, providing startup investment recommendations and facilitating corporate innovation. He is passionate about digital solutions and believes highly in the potential that Pakistan has for an increasingly digital future

Muhammad Essa Haider

Executive Program Office

Essa Haider is a dedicated professional driven by the transformative potential of digital financial services. Starting as an intern in the DFS team, Essa showcased exceptional commitment, earning a promotion to an STTA role. His dedication has paved the way for his transition into a full-time position. With a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Essa has seamlessly integrated theoretical knowledge into practical application. His previous contributions to Karandaaz were noteworthy, as he actively supported the program office for the DFS vertical. His work on social protection programs, particularly focused on maternal, newborn, and child health, underscored his passion for making a meaningful impact in these critical areas.

Khalid Hussain

IT Specialist

Khalid Hussain is an accomplished Information Technology Specialist with a robust professional history spanning over two decades. His wealth of experience encompasses various roles in organizations such as USAID, DAI Inc., World Learning, Deloitte Consulting, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). His expertise ranges from designing, implementing, and maintaining IT infrastructure, including LAN/WAN networks, cloud services, cybersecurity measures, staff training, and VOIP. He has proven ability to troubleshoot operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and MacOS, as well as configuring firewalls, switches, and other security measures. Khalid holds an EMBA in IT and certifications including CompTIA A+, MCP, HP Server/Desktop, and IBM/Lenovo certifications.

Agha Muhammad Salman

Manager Internal Audit

Agha Muhammad Salman is a highly qualified professional with a strong educational foundation, holding a Certification in Accounts and Finance from ICAP. With over ten years of diverse experience in both external and internal auditing, as well as Accounts & Finance, he brings a wealth of expertise in comprehensive audit analysis. His professional journey includes valuable tenures at renowned organizations such as Saudi Pak Investment Company, Khushhali Microfinance Bank Ltd., and Crowe International. His goal is to consistently drive financial success, streamline processes, and ensure rigorous compliance for the organizations he works with.

Bilal Amjad Khan

Principal Debt

Bilal brings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry. During his career he has worked in Pakistan and GCC on key assignments in the field of Corporate Finance, SME and Transaction Banking. Prior to joining Karandaaz, Bilal worked as Head of Supply Chain Finance - CIBG at Bank Alfalah Ltd. He was instrumental in developing global best practice SCF business for the bank and successfully delivered new SCF products and technology promoting financial inclusion based on the non-collateralized and off-balance sheet structures. He has worked closely with the State Bank of Pakistan to devise SCF guidelines for the industry.

Muhammad Hassan Shakeel

Senior Analyst Private Sector Engagements

Muhammad Hassan is a recent MBA graduate from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), with a specialization in Business Strategy and Financial Technology. He also holds a BSc. in Accounting & Finance from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). As a seasoned banking professional, Hassan has developed expertise in risk assessment and regulatory compliance. He has also served as Assistant Director at the State Bank of Pakistan, overseeing key initiatives. Now, he is dedicated to utilizing his expertise to promote financial inclusion, increase access to financial services for underserved communities, and drive equitable economic growth.

Aakash Husnain Ahmad

Senior Analyst Green

With over 7 years of cumulative experience in corporate finance and project management, Aakash Husnain Ahmad has excelled in the role of Corporate Finance Manager at Saudi Pak Industrial & Agricultural Investment Company, overseeing transactions from pitch to disbursement. Holding an MSc in Project Management from Royal Holloway, University of London, and a BSc (Hons) in Business from the University of London, Aakash looks forward to further refining his skill set and broadening his perspective while exploring the dynamics of green financing at Karandaaz Pakistan.

Ahmed Javed

Analyst Risk

Ahmed is an Accounting & Finance major from LUMS. His professional journey has been an exhilarating climb from an eager intern to an STTA, to a dedicated permanent employee at Karandaaz, first as Executive Finance and now as Analyst Risk. He claims that the corridors of LUMS shaped his foundation of learning, while his tenure at Karandaaz has honed his skills and ignited an unwavering drive and passion for the intricate world of finance and risk management.

Asra Malik

Analyst Innovation and MEL

Asra Malik brings five years of diverse experience in the development and policy landscape. She has contributed to both the private sector and the government, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering innovation, driving reform, and evidence-based decision making. With a curious mind and a drive to learn, she joined Karandaaz to explore new ideas in the domain of impact investing and financial inclusion. Asra holds a Master's degree in Economics from LUMS and has a keen interest in global and domestic affairs. This passion fuels her dedication to meaningful work that leaves a lasting impact.

Aneeq Ahmed

Technical Project Manager

Aneeq Ahmed is a seasoned Project Management expert with an 18-year track record. Throughout his career, he has taken on diverse roles, ranging from leading initiatives as a Business Analyst to pioneering transformative change in the public sector as a Change Expert. His expertise empowers organizations to elevate their operations, and his impactful endeavors at the Pakistan Single Window Company and PRAL reflect his dedication to transforming the landscape of business operations.

Sana Nawaz

Manager Finance

Sana Nawaz holds a professional qualification in ACCA and boasts an extensive background, having completed her articleship at Deloitte. With a decade-long tenure at Telenor Pakistan, she has accumulated valuable experience and expertise in her field. Sana is known for her openness to new challenges and opportunities, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and personal growth. Outside of her professional endeavors, Sana is a multifaceted individual with a passion for reading, painting, and hiking.

Umair Athar

AM Internal Audit

Umair Athar is a CA finalist from ICAP and a member of PIPFA who brings diverse experience from PWC and Askari Bank. He is eager to contribute his auditing and strategic management skills to address the financial challenges and opportunities at Karandaaz by ensuring their alignment with our mission and overarching vision.

Jawad Khalid

Specialist Green Innovation

Jawad brings 5 years of experience in development consulting and non-profits. His expertise extends to program design, technical proposal writing, research and financial inclusion, showcased in his previous roles at both national and international non-profits. With a keen interest in geopolitics, he has contributed to national and international dailies on crucial policy and political issues. Jawad aspires to foster an enabling environment for sustainable development and innovation through impact investing.

Umer Ashfaq

Executive Women Financial Inclusion (WFI)

Umer's journey with Karandaaz began as a Short-Term Technical Assistant (STTA), where his outstanding performance paved the way for his transition into a full-time role. Umer holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration specializing in finance, gaining practical experience through an internship at OGDCL Pakistan. During his tenure as an STTA, he led initiatives to empower women financially, including projects on Wehub Karandaaz that established a network of female agents. Umer's commitment to continuous learning is evident in his selection for a prestigious 6-month mentoring program with Financial Alliances for Women (FAW), where he was chosen from a global pool of applicants.

Usman Kokab

Associate Director Digital Transformation (Social Protection)

Usman Kokab brings with him nearly two decades of extensive experience in the telecommunications industry. With a remarkable tenure of 15 years at Telenor followed by his transition to Zong, Usman has deep-rooted expertise in digital payments, mobile wallets, customer experience, product development, and channel solutions. Throughout his career, Usman has consistently demonstrated prowess in customer acquisition, app growth, and the creation of innovative use cases. His Bachelor in Computer Sciences empowers him to address real-time challenges by designing efficient systems and processes. Beyond his professional achievements, Usman is an avid cricket enthusiast and possesses a keen talent for travel planning.

Abeera Asad

Executive Digital Public Infrastructure

Abeera Asad holds an MSc in Programme and Project Management from the University of Warwick and a triple major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Lancaster University, Abeera brings extensive experience in executing complex projects. Abeera's journey with Karandaaz began as a Short-Term Technical Assistant (STTA), where her outstanding performance paved the way for her transition into a full-time role. During her time here, she has actively contributed to the Digital Public Infrastructure workstream, playing a key role in the implementation and adoption of Raast initiatives. She has also supported the execution of multiple challenge grant rounds and promoted the adoption of digital payments for merchants. Abeera aspires to drive impactful projects, combining innovative solutions and strategic management for sustainable development within the global digital landscape.

Misbah Abad

Senior Analyst Operations & Corporate Governance

Misbah Abad is a seasoned finance professional with over 10 years of experience. Holding both Chartered Secretary and MBA in finance qualifications, Misbah's expertise was refined during her CA articleship at Deloitte, where she conducted external audits for diverse sectors. In her recent role as an internal auditor at PPAF, Misbah oversaw audits across Pakistan of PPAF units and Partner Organizations, focusing on regulatory compliance, financing agreements, and internal controls.

Muhammad Faizan Sarmad

Principal Equity

Faizan Sarmad is seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the financial services sector, having worked in Private Equity, Corporate Finance, Research and Risk Management functions. He has been involved in several local and cross-border M&A transactions across sectors including renewables, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, IT Services etc. throughout his career with latest as VP Investments at PNO Capital Limited. He completed his professional qualification from Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and is passionate about impact investments, driving Private Equity growth and advocating for meaningful reforms in the current investment ecosystem in Pakistan.

Zeeshan Haider

Specialist Innovation Investments

Zeeshan has over 9 years of work experience primarily in the banking industry, with hands-on experience in various departments of SME & Commercial credits. Prior to joining Karandaaz, he was associated with UBL and looked after the SBP Schemes Portfolio, including Women Entrepreneurship, Solar Refinance, PMYBL (Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan), and SAAF (SME Asaan Finance) schemes, with a portfolio of more than Rs. 2.5 billion. Zeeshan is a certified banker holding specialized certifications in branch banking, credit skills, and risk management. He holds a BBA (Hons) degree from NUML, Islamabad, with a specialization in Finance, where he also serves as an executive member of the NUML Alumni Club and BICON (Business Incubation Center of NUML).

Nabeel Zafar

Sr. Analyst Private Equity

Nabeel Zafar is a qualified ACCA and MBA from Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, with over 6 years of experience in financial analysis, advisory, valuation, reporting, and financial modeling. His previous association has been with Arif Habib Limited and AKD Securities Limited in their Investment Banking Department, where he was involved with transactions covering Merger & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Equity Capital Markets, Debt, and Corporate Reorganization.

Waqar Aslam

Senior Analyst Risk & Compliance

Muhammad Waqar Aslam brings over ten years of extensive experience in regulatory compliance, risk management, and internal audit within the banking and capital markets sector. He has held various roles at reputable organizations, including Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited, Albaraka Bank Pakistan Limited, and Telenor Pakistan. His areas of expertise encompass conducting thorough risk assessments, ensuring regulatory adherence, and coordinating stakeholders to optimize operational efficiency. His qualifications include a Fellow Membership of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) UK, Certified Accounting Technician (CAT), and certifications in financial regulations and fraud prevention, showcasing a deep understanding of industry standards.

Aaila Mujeeb

Executive Program Office

Aaila completed her Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance from Lahore University of Management Sciences. During her studies, she interned at Price Waterhouse and Coopers (PwC), where she gained valuable exposure to auditing. Her interest in Karandaaz was inspired by its research, which eventually led her to pursue an internship in the CIC department, focusing on Equity. Aaila is passionate about working in roles where her efforts can make a tangible positive impact on society, and she believes that Karandaaz is the perfect place to achieve this aspiration.

Waseem Ahmad Malik

Digital Payments Ecosystem Expert

Waseem is a seasoned financial expert with over 14 years of experience in the sector. His extensive expertise spans digital payments, banking, and mobile wallets. Notably, he has successfully managed large-scale government disbursement projects, exceeding $70 million in annual volume, and has guided various organizations in digitizing their payments, including P2G and corporate payments. Waseem has also demonstrated his ability to launch and scale digital channels and financial services, such as mobile wallets, mobile apps, and agent networks. He holds a BSc (Hons.) and an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). Prior to joining Karandaaz, Waseem led digital channels at MCB and has worked with prominent industry players like JazzCash and Bank Alfalah.

Fatima Tu Zahra

Executive Research and Insights

Fatima holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Mathematics from LUMS, where she developed a solid foundation in research and analytics. Before joining Karandaaz, she had the opportunity to contribute to one of Karandaaz’s research studies during her internship, which sparked her interest in the organization’s work. Starting as an STTA in the R&I team, Fatima showcased exceptional commitment paving the way for her transition into a full-time position. During her time here, she has been pivotal in supporting various research projects centered on Karandaaz’s key focus areas, including green financing, SME landscape, and digital financial services.

Mohammad Babar

Executive Treasury

Mohammad Babar is a graduate with double majors in Accounting & Finance from the Lahore School of Economics. His professional journey began with an internship at PTCL followed by Karandaaz Pakistan, where he developed a keen interest in pursuing a full-time role with our organization. After a short tenure with Batik Pakistan, Babar has joined us as an Executive in the Treasury team at Karandaaz. He is driven to excel in the financial landscape, and is passionate to leverage his academic and professional skills to achieve remarkable success in treasury operations.

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