Key skills and expertise

With over 20 years of experience, the professional is a development economist specializing in public finance, decentralization, and fiscal federalism. Expertise includes project leadership, technical assistance, and policy development. The professional has led significant tax reform and fiscal decentralization projects in collaboration with local and international bodies, such as UNDP and the World Bank. Notable accomplishments include designing performance-based grant systems and contributing to policy briefs and strategic reports, enhancing governance and public service delivery in Pakistan.

Project experience and donor exposure

The professional has collaborated with international donors such as UNDP, World Bank, and UNICEF on various development cooperation projects. Involvement includes technical assistance, project implementation, and capacity building across thematic areas like public finance, education, nutrition, and governance. The projects are primarily national in scope, focusing on regions within Pakistan, including Sindh and Balochistan. The professional's work has contributed to significant policy reforms and strategic planning in these sectors, enhancing governance and public service delivery.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across multiple sectors, including education, social development, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, democratization, SME and private sector, decentralization, and local development. Responsibilities have included leadership in public finance management, tax reform, and fiscal decentralization. The professional possesses interdisciplinary knowledge, such as integrating digitalization in public finance and governance. The work is primarily country-specific to Pakistan, with significant contributions to regional development and governance reforms. Extensive geographic experience in Pakistan includes a deep familiarity with local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development issues. This expertise is reflected in long-term assignments and recurring involvement in projects focusing on fiscal decentralization, public finance management, and governance reforms. The professional's work has significantly contributed to policy development and implementation across various provinces, including Sindh and Balochistan.

Languages and education

The professional is fluent in multiple languages, including English, Urdu, Persian/Farsi, Pashto, Punjabi, and Sindhi. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including in-country work in Pakistan and collaboration with multilingual teams on international development projects. This linguistic versatility supports effective communication and collaboration in diverse cultural and professional environments.

With a background in economics, the professional holds a PhD in Economics with a focus on Public Finance from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, Pakistan. Additionally, an MS in Economics from the same institution complements further qualifications, including a Junior Associate certification from the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP) and an M.Com from the University of Sindh, Pakistan. These credentials underscore a strong foundation in economics and public finance.