Articles

Kiran is a Senior Private Sector Specialist with the World Bank who has been engaged in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem since 2008. She mobilized the World Bank support for Pakistan’s SMEs and tourism sector. Over the past 8 years, this has led to an entire range of value chains strengthening activities at tourist sites in subnational areas of Pakistan. The resources and global expertise have been channeled into tourism planning, responsible tourism, rehabilitation of infrastructure, conservation of religious and heritage sites, branding of province’s tourism and heritage offering, technology and digital inclusion, and overall capacity development of the subnational public sector authorities. She also provides support to Nepal’s tourism activities financed by the World Bank. Kiran is strongly integrated into the startup eco-system of Pakistan and contributes to this crucial market segment through knowledge transfer.

Dr. Nasir Awan MBE DL is a prominent business leader, philanthropist, and community advocate, widely recognized for his contributions to business, charity, and civic life in the UK and beyond. Born in Peshawar, Pakistan, he moved to the UK at the age of eight and went on to establish himself as the Chief Executive Officer of Awan Marketing Ltd., and Awan Property Investments Ltd. In recognition of his services to business and international trade, he was awarded an MBE in 2014 and appointed Deputy Lieutenant of His Majesty The King’s Lord Lieutenancy for the West Midlands in 2017. Dr. Awan has served as President of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce—one of the largest chambers in Europe—as well as President of the Asian Chamber of Commerce, and currently acts as a Non-Executive Director of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. Deeply committed to philanthropy, Dr. Awan chairs Islamic Relief Pakistan Relief Worldwide, is a trustee of Euro Charity Trust, and is the founder and chair of The Trust Foundation. In addition, he has served as a trustee for the Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association and chaired the Inspire Education Academy for over two decades.

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Maqbool Ahmed, originally from Azad Kashmir, has proudly called Birmingham and the Midlands home for over 60 years. His career began in accountancy and finance, where he developed a passion for property and investment. Over four decades ago, he founded Yousaf Property Holdings and MIA Property Group, businesses built on strong relationships and a commitment to community development. Through these ventures, Maqbool has focused on investing in, developing, and revitalizing residential and commercial properties to bring them back into use for the benefit of local communities. In addition to his business success, Maqbool is deeply engaged in community service, having held numerous leadership and governance roles. He is the former Chair and current Trustee of Birmingham Mosque Trust Limited, a Trustee of the Yousaf Charitable Foundation, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee at Islamic Relief Pakistan, a Board Member of the International Waqf Fund, and a Governance Committee Member of the Islamic Global Academy (IGA). He also served as a Magistrate before retiring from the position.

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Accomplished international finance professional with deep expertise in strategic financial management, internal controls, and global transformation. Currently serving as International Finance Controller at Islamic Relief worldwide, where he lead financial governance, risk management, audits (internal and external), and change initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration and capacity building. A dual-qualified accountant (FCMA – ICMA Pakistan; AICPA-CIMA – UK), Mubashir is committed to financial excellence grounded in transparency and accountability. He consider donor contributions a sacred Amanah (trust) and ensure they are delivered to the right holders with integrity, in line with our humanitarian mission. His journey began with Islamic Relief, where he progressed through field, national, regional, and global roles. He actively contributes to the organization’s global strategy, with a passion for serving humanity through principled and effective financial leadership.

Currently serving as Company Secretary and Board Member for Islamic Relief Pakistan, overseeing statutory compliance, board governance, and stakeholder engagement. With a strong belief in empowering people, he is leading training and development programs for staff and partners, helping to strengthen systems that support sustainable, impactful change for the communities we serve.

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Abdul Mannan Bhatti is a seasoned humanitarian whose faith-inspired work has touched the lives of vulnerable communities for over 30 years. His journey began in policy research and management at the Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad, before he founded Islamic Relief Pakistan (1992), transforming it into a leading humanitarian organization. His dedication later took him to Islamic Relief UK (2004–2013) and Islamic Relief Middle East (2013–2024), where he played a pivotal role in strengthening global partnerships, fundraising, and collaborative humanitarian efforts. Holding an LLB/LLM in Shariah and Law from the International Islamic University, Islamabad, he uniquely blends Islamic ethics with modern humanitarian principles, ensuring aid is delivered with dignity, cultural sensitivity, and a focus on empowerment. His leadership is marked by humility, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to service. Beyond his professional work, he has been an active supporter of Muslim civil society in the UK, promoting charitable giving and community cohesion. Today, he continues his mission as a volunteer with Islamic Relief UK and other organizations, driven by the belief that true service combines compassion with professionalism.

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