PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
 
A results-oriented Program Manager and Legal Professional expert in Refugee law, especially Non Refoulment principle in the context of Pakistan with over nine years of experience specializing in human rights and refugee protection. Proven ability to direct extensive protection initiatives, currently overseeing UNHCR’s ALACII as Team Lead in partnership with SHARP. Possesses deep expertise in Refugee Law (including the Principle of Non-Refoulement), International Human Rights Law, Protection Monitoring principles, GBV, Juvenile justice system, Child Rights, and TIP/SOM. Adept at translating strategic objectives into tangible outcomes through effective legal aid provision, coordination of complex interventions (including refugee assistance during repatriation planning), stakeholder liaison, targeted advocacy, and capacity building. Cultivates crucial relationships with government bodies, LEAs, Judiciary, and international organizations. Committed to driving systemic change and ensuring access to justice, underpinned by an LLM focused on Non- Refoulement in Pakistan and an MA in Political Science.
Specially served as custodian of legal rights in the first and second phase of IFRP in Punjab & Sindh in 2023 & 2025. In Punjab, specially assisted a family, which sets a landmark in Pakistan, a family of ACC holder female was detained in the holding centre who was released from Narowal. She is assisting ACC holders along with POR holders ,in the holding centres in 24 districts of Punjab in monitoring plan with the instruction of UNHCR. 
   
CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
 
▶ Protection Monitoring and Program Management: Project Cycle Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Monitoring and Evaluation
(M&E) frameworks, Protection Analysis concepts, Donor Relations & Reporting (UNHCR, SEM, American Bar Association), Proposal & Concept Note Development, Resource Allocation.
▶ Legal Expertise and Analysis: International Human Rights Law, Refugee Law (incl. Non-Refoulement expertise), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Rights & Protection, Child Labor, Juvenile Justice, Trafficking in Persons &
Smuggling of Migrants (TIP/SOM), SRHR (Sexual & reproductive Health Rights) Case Management, Strategic Litigation, Human Rights Research.
▶ Stakeholder  Engagement  and  Advocacy:  Partnership  Building
(Government, Law Enforcement, Judiciary, NGOs, International Orgs), High-Level Liaison ( includes, Police/ bureaucracy & judiciary), Policy & Protection Advocacy, Community Outreach, Representation in Protection Forums & Coordination Meetings, Media Relations.
▶ Training and Capacity Building: Curriculum Development (IHRL, Refugee Law, Protection Principles), Specialized Workshop Delivery & Facilitation, Capacity Building for diverse audiences (Police, Judiciary,
Prosecutors, Civil Servants, CSOs, Community Members), Moderation.
▶ Technical and Interpersonal Skills: Strong Analytical, Writing & Communication Skills (Written & Verbal), Coordination, Negotiation, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Resilience, Cross-Cultural Sensitivity, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
   
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
 
Field Manager / Program Manager / Legal Adviser
Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid (SHARP)
November 2021 – Present | Lahore, Pakistan (Overseeing 24 Districts of Punjab) ALACII/ UNHCR.
▶ Directs and manages UNHCR’s funded program (ALACII) focused on refugee protection, health, education, and fundamental rights across  24  districts,  ensuring  alignment  with International human rights and protection standards.
Previously, in 2024, Led the, State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) funded program along with UNHCR’s ALACII, focused on refugee protection, health, education, and fundamental  rights in South Punjab,  ensuring  alignment  with
International human rights and protection standards
▶ Monitors and evaluates program impact through structured frameworks, utilizing data and feedback for continuous improvement and contributing to protection analysis.
▶ Plans and executes research initiatives on legal and policy issues affecting human rights and protection, contributing to SHARP's evidence-based advocacy goals.
▶ Develops and delivers specialized training modules on International Human Rights Law, Refugee Law, GBV, and Child Protection, enhancing the
capacity of diverse audiences including Punjab Police officers, Punjab Judicial Officers, Prosecutors, civil servants, media, and civil society members.
▶ Leads coordination and maintains strong liaison between SHARP, beneficiaries, and key stakeholders including Law Enforcement Agencies
(LEAs), Judiciary, Government Ministries, UNHCR, SEM.
▶ Oversees legal assistance operations, ensuring effective case management and timely resolution for individuals facing human rights violations, particularly refugees (including PoR/ACC holders implied contextually), women, and children.
▶ Spearheads advocacy initiatives, including organizing the "16 Days of Activism" campaign and facilitating consultative sessions on TIP/SOM involving high-level participants.
▶ Represents SHARP in relevant protection forums, networks, and coalitions to advance human rights agendas.
▶ Managed critical response operations, including leading a special assignment in Karachi to assist and protect refugees during the Foreigner’s Repatriation Plan, collaborating directly with UNHCR international staff, Mr. Alexy, the Assistant protection officer.
▶ Hosted and briefed high-level international visitors, including UNHCR Country Representative and US Embassy BPRM Representative, on field operations and refugee situations in Punjab, demonstrating presentation capabilities.
Senior Associate Lawyer
M. Mahmood Law Associates 2015 – 2019 | Lahore, Pakistan
▶ Provided legal counsel and representation to clients in human rights cases, with a specific focus on women's and children's rights issues.
▶ Conducted comprehensive legal research and drafted legal documents (complaints, petitions, motions, briefs).
▶ Represented clients in negotiations, mediations, hearings, and trials.
▶ Advocated for policy reforms addressing systemic human rights violations affecting vulnerable groups.
▶ Collaborated with paralegals, investigators, and expert witnesses to build robust cases.
▶ Engaged in community outreach and pro bono activities to promote access to justice.
   
EDUCATION AND TRAININGS
 
Master of Laws (LLM) | 2022 — 2024
Postgraduate School of Legal Studies, Punjab University Law College, Lahore Thesis: “Principle of non-refoulment: a critical analysis in the absence of refugee laws in Pakistan”
 
Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science | 2020 — 2022 University of the Punjab, Lahore
Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) | 2010 — 2015
Gillani Law College, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
Selected Training and Professional Development
 
▶ International Law, Refugee Law and Strategic Litigation: UNHCR (Dec
2023)
▶ Integrity and Refugee Law: UNIOM and SHARP (Nov 2023)
▶ Legal Case Management (Child Abuse, Child Laws, Child Marriages, Juvenility): ABA ROLI (Dec 2024)
▶ GBV, Child Protection: Pathfinder International and UNHCR (Multiple Sessions, 2024)
▶ Juvenile Justice System: UNHCR (2024)
▶ TIP and SOM, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Migration: UNODC, IOM, UNHCR (Various dates)
▶ Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of Children: USAID
LANGUAGES
 
▶ English: Fluent (Oral and Written)
▶ Urdu: Fluent (Oral and Written)