Ms. Saimia Liaquat Ali Khan (Director)

Samia Liaquat Ali Khan is a seasoned advocate for socio-economic development and gender equity based in Islamabad, Pakistan. With over 25 years of experience, she has demonstrated her expertise in designing, implementing, and advancing programs to improve the lives of individuals affected by poverty and conflict.

Samia has forged lasting partnerships with international organizations throughout her career to secure funding for various socio-economic initiatives, including the National Poverty Graduation Programme. Her innovative approach and deep understanding of social development, economic inclusion, and organizational strategy make her well-suited to lead initiatives aimed at addressing the challenges faced by marginalized populations.

Samia possesses a diverse skill set, including executive leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, stakeholder management, program design, monitoring and evaluation, research, talent development, proposal development, and policy evaluation. Her sectoral expertise spans social protection, economic inclusion, gender equality, and governance.

In her recent role as a Senior Advisor/Consultant, Samia has led impactful projects focused on strategy, program design, and impact investing. She served as the Director of Impact at Tabadlab, where she led initiatives to improve policy discourse and drive positive change in areas such as public health, livelihoods, economic inclusion, and women’s empowerment.

Previously, Samia held critical positions at the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), where she led the National Poverty Graduation Programme. Under her leadership, the program was successfully launched across multiple provinces, reaching thousands of vulnerable households and contributing to achieving crucial UN Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan.

Samia’s career highlights include spearheading research and policy initiatives, managing compliance and quality assurance, and serving as a general manager overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and research functions.

Samia holds a master’s degree in development studies from SOAS, University of London, a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Mount Holyoke College. She has authored publications on poverty reduction and minority perspectives and received extensive training in gender mainstreaming, project management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, human rights-based approaches, and development policy.

With her wealth of experience, expertise, and commitment to social impact, Samia Liaquat Ali Khan continues to be a driving force in promoting socio-economic development and gender equity in Pakistan and beyond.