Meet
Our Board Directors
Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila NI(M)
Chairman, Moawin Foundation
Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila NI(M), born: 1954, is an Admiral retired. He was 19th Chief of the Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy. He is recipient of various prestigious national and international awards including Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) and Chevalier de II order National Due Merit for rescue of French nationals in Maldives during Tsunami in December 2004. He has taken the oath as the Chief of the Naval Staff on October 7th 2011. He has retired from active naval service on 7th October, 2014. Admiral Sandila is a keen golfer and fond of book reading. He has founded Moawin Foundation (a Not for Profit Organization) with help of like-minded friends. Aim is to improve standards of education and provide vocational training for boys and girls in rural areas of Pakistan.
Hamid Ali Khan, DMG
Director
Former Federal Secy, represents Pak Administrative service (DMG), Government of Pakistan. Launched executed and monitored adult literacy and teachers training programme in partnership with Unesco as DCO Rawalpindi and executed Education sector reform programme in Government of Punjab in collaboration with world Bank. As Federal Secy Education, led the professional team of educationists and practitioners and developed vision and policy guidelines for promotion of literacy, quality education and skill development. Held key positions in his career both in Federal and Provincial Governments of KPK and Punjab. Served as Dy Commissioner in 3 Districts, Commissioner in 2 Divisions, Secy LG and Food, Chairman NHA, Water and power, Interior and Nacta.
In recognition of his outstanding services he was conferred with Tamgha-i-Basalat by the President of Pakistan.
Sabina Khatri
Director
Ms. Sabina khatri created the first mother and child, trauma-informed educational model of Pakistan which laid its seed in Lyari. She was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz 2022. The Karachi Pride award, ponds miracle women award, KE award for women empowerment and community uplifting. She joined Moawin Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2021. During COVID-19, she led the creation of digital learning opportunities for students during school closure. These included a Tele-school, E-Taleem Digital Portal, and Radio School initiative. She led the development of programs to address learning gaps and education in lagging districts for the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry was able to secure donor support for the initiatives that will target out-of-school children using digital solutions
V Admiral (R) Shahid Iqbal
Ex Rector Bahria University | Director
Mr. Shahid Iqbal is retired Vice Admiral from Pakistan Navy. Mr. Iqbal is an operations specialist and holds Principal Warfare Officer Specialization from School of Maritime Operations, UK. He is a graduate of Pakistan Navy and Turkish Staff Colleges and holds Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from National Defense University, Islamabad. He has rich experience of various command and staff appointment during his Naval career. Moreover, he has also served as Rector Bahria University. He acted as faculty member at PN War College and National Defense University. He has also served as Commander Task Force-150 (Multinational Naval Force) at Bahrain. Vice Admiral (R) Shahid Iqbal is recipient of prestigious National award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military).
Air Cdre (R) Syed Naser Ali Hamdani
Engineer And Ex-paf | Director
Mr. Syed Naser Ali Hamdani is a retired Air Commodore from Pakistan Air Force. He commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in Jan 1975 and passed from PAF College of Aeronautical Engineering in 1977 after securing Avionics Engineering. He holds the degree of Electro-Optics from USAF Institute of Technology and served in EW R&D, instructor in CAE, operational base, and deputation to Qatar. Mr. Hamdani commanded Avionics Engineering Depot, Software Engineering Depot, and Avionics Production Factory Kamra.He also has vast corporate sector experience, where he has served on many key appointments including Chief Technical Officer (North) of Zong, Director Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Visiting Professor Electrical Engineering Air University, adviser “Beyond the Horizon” on Media Code of ethics and Media/Social Media regulation, writer of “Depths with Hamdani” at Beyond the Horizon, on vital social, media, security & political issues.
Zulfiqar Ahmad
Chartered Accountant | CEO
Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed has served in different prominent and eminent positions for the Government of Pakistan. He is Managing Director, Elementary & Secondary Education Foundation, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since Aug 1, 2017. In addition to this, he has served as
• Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Human Development Fund, Islamabad,
• Director General, and Chief Financial Officer, at National Commission for Human Development (NCHD),
• Chief Technical Advisor, Financial Sector Strengthening Program (SDC), Islamabad,
• Chief Finance, Credit & Enterprise Development, Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), Peshawar.
• Member Board of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO).
• Chairman, Audit & Finance Committee, PESCO.
• Chairman Audit Committee of RAHNUMA Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP).
Umbreen Arif
Education Advisor
Ms. Umbreen Arif has more than 20 years of experience in the education sector, providing policy advice, technical and analytical support, program supervision, and coordination with donor and government partners in Pakistan. She has led the design and supervision of education reform programs, as well as multi-sector programs addressing education, health, nutrition, governance, and disaster risk preparedness across Pakistan. Her main area of interest and expertise is Education Policy and Governance, Education Data, Early Childhood Education, and Teacher Management. She has worked on a diverse set of programs across basic and higher education, including implementing education in emergency situations (conflict and natural disasters). She has cross-country experience in providing support to education programs in Africa, India, and Afghanistan.
During COVID-19, she led the creation of digital learning opportunities for students during school closure. These included a Tele-school, E-Taleem Digital Portal, and Radio School initiative. She led the development of programs to address learning gaps and education in lagging districts for the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry was able to secure donor support for the initiatives that will target out-of-school children using digital solutions