Advisory Committee Digital Defenders Pakistan Portal

Syed Raza Ali

CEO

Peace and Justice Network

Mr. Raza Ali is a pioneering leader in Pakistan’s rule of law, human rights and grassroots justice sector, currently serving as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Peace & Justice Network (PJN)—a national alliance of 45 civil society organizations advancing legal empowerment, human rights, peacebuilding, and justice sector reforms across Pakistan. He has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including the creation of PakProbono, the country’s first network of volunteer lawyers, and Haqq, Pakistan’s first mobile legal empowerment app.

Jalila Haider

Human Rights Defender

We the Humans

Jalila Haider is a Pakistani human rights attorney and political activist from Quetta in Balochistan, Pakistan. She is known to be the first woman lawyer from Quetta's Hazara minority, and an advocate for the rights of her persecuted community. She founded a non-profit organisation, "We the Humans – Pakistan," which aims to empower local communities in Balochistan by strengthening opportunities for vulnerable women and children. She was named in BBC's 100 Women of 2019, and was chosen as an International Woman of Courage by the United States Department of State in March 2020. In 2022, she won the first-ever ‘Pakistan Peace Award’ for her work and contribution to bring tolerance and sustainable peace in the country.

Bushra Khaliq

Executive Director

Women in Struggle for Empowerment

Bushra Khaliq is a prominent Pakistani human rights defender known for her advocacy on women’s rights, labor rights, and social justice. As the founder and executive director of Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE), she has worked extensively to empower marginalized women. Her activism focuses on promoting democratic governance, gender equality, and community development. She is widely recognized for her fearless commitment to defending human rights despite facing political and social challenges.

Shahid Rehmat

Executive Director

Youth Development Foundation

Founder Youth Development Foundation (YDF), one of Pakistan’s leading youth movements promoting peace, inclusion, and resilient communities. He is a Core Team Member, Minority Advisory Council Punjab and Convener, Punjab Coordination Committee on Interfaith Harmony & Minority Inclusion. He is also Founder – Acceptance for Inclusion (A4I) Canada.

Qamar Naseem

Program Manager

Blue Veins

Qamar Naseem serves as Program Manager at Blue Veins, leading initiatives on human rights, gender equality, and social justice. He is a Malala Fund Education Champion and a Member of the Civil Society Advisory Committee of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). He also serves as Ambassador for the Right to Public Services Commission, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and leads the Policy & Legislative Reform Committee of the EVAW/G Alliance – KP Chapter. Qamar Naseem is a recipient of the International Award of Courage by No Peace Without Justice, recognizing his significant contributions to human rights advocacy.

Marvi Awan

Founder

Women Protection Centre Sindh

Marvi Awan is a prominent human rights advocate, gender expert, social activist, and founder of Women Protection Centre Sindh. She has dedicated her career to advancing human rights, women’s empowerment, labour rights, gender equality, climate justice, and the protection of vulnerable communities across Pakistan. With extensive experience supporting survivors of violence, harassment, exploitation, and digital blackmail, she is widely recognized for her expertise in gender sensitivity, safeguarding, legal rights awareness, and the implementation of women protection laws.

Nayyab Ali

Transgender Rights Expert

Nayyab Ali is a globally recognised human rights defender and gender policy strategist with over a decade of experience advancing inclusive governance, legal reform, and protection mechanisms for marginalised communities. Her work has been internationally recognised, including the prestigious Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law and the GALAS International Activist Award. She is currently a Global Human Rights Fellow at the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, Harvard University, and has led transformative initiatives in inclusive policing, digital and physical protection mechanisms, and community empowerment. She currently serves with Islamabad Police as In-Charge of the Transgender Protection Unit and Additional In-Charge of the Gender Protection Unit, where she has pioneered innovative models to address gender-based violence and enhance access to justice.

Iqbal Khattak

Executive Director

Freedom Network

Iqbal Khattak is a journalist by profession and staunch activist of media freedoms and supporter of physical and digital safety of journalists. He leads Pakistani media watchdog Freedom Network and serves Reporters Without Borders as Pakistan representative since 1999.

Salwa Rana

Network Coordinator

Peace & Justice Network (PJN) Pakistan

Salwa Rana is a lawyer by training and a development expert by practice. She has over 8 years of experience managing programs related to digital rights, freedom of expression, gender based violence, ethical AI and other human rights issues.