PAKISTAN MOTHER LANGUAGES
LITERATURE FESTIVAL
پا کستان کی مادری زبانوں کا ادبی میلہ
Niaz Ahmad Kandhir
Chairperson
Niaz Ahmed Kandhir (also known as Niaz Nadeem) is Chairperson of Indus Cultural Forum (ICF). He is a development professional, writer and a poet. He works as Senior Expert-Democratic Governance at Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA), which is his main source of income. He has over 20 years of experience in journalism and development sector. Niaz has Masters in Public Administration, Master of Science in Mass Communication and Master in Human Rights and Democratisation.
ZUBEDA YOUSUF GENERAL SECRETARY
Zubeda Yousuf Birwani is member Board of Governors of Indus Cultural Forum. She has been working in development sector mainly on the issues pertaining to coastal areas and water sector since last fifteen years. She has been mobilizing movements on rights of indigenous people and affectees of mega water projects. She is the first woman in Pakistan who has conducted mangroves plantation. Ms Birwani is well known trainer on the conservation of mangrove and researcher. Currently she is working with local NGO, Trust for Conservation.
BHISHAM KUMAR MEMBER
Bhisham Kumar is a public health professional with deep interest in promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. He occasionally writes on social issues specially issues of public health. He works with an international public health organization. Bhisham is part of a number of volunteer initiatives to promote awareness and service delivery regarding issues of public health.
MAZHAR ARIF MEMBER
Mazhar Arif is a journalist and writer. He writes in Saraiki, Urdu and English languages on political, social and cultural issues. He is founding General Secretary of Saraiki Lok Sanjh, a literacy and cultural organization of Seraiki writers and intellectuals. He was a member of the drafting committee for declaration and resolutions of international progressive writers’ conference held in Karachi in 1985 and national democratic writers conference in Lahore 1987. He is currently working as Executive Director of Society for Alternative Media and Research (SAMAR), an organization engaged with media monitoring and analysis.
NUSRAT ZEHRA ZAIDI
MEMBER
Nusrat Zehra Zaidi is member Board of Governors of Indus Cultural Forum. She is a development professional and a poet. She works as Consultant with Lok Virsa, Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) and Right to Play International. which is her main source of income. She has over 18 years of experience in journalism and development sector. Nusrat Zehra has Master of Science in Mass Communication and Master in Human Rights and Democratisation.
LATE ATTAULLAH RAJAR
MEMBER
Attaullah Rajar is member Board of Governors of Indus Cultural Forum. Atta is a Journalist and Anchorperson. He works as Islamabad Bureau Chief of Sindh Tv News. which is his main source of income. He has over 25 years of experience in journalism. Attaullah Rajar have Graduation degree from University of Sindh Jamshoro. (Atta Rajar died on July 11, 2019).
FIZA NAZ QURESHI MEMBER
Fiza Naz Qureshi is member Board of Governors of Indus Cultural Forum. She is a development professional, gender expert, writer and a poetess. She has done her masters in Sociology, Sindhi Literature and Law. She has 15-years experience of development and media. Currently she is working as Manager Programs Implementation with national level NGO Indus Consortium. (Ms. Fiza Qureshi resigned from her position in December 2019).
GHULAM MUSTAFA TALPUR
MEMBER
Ghulam Mustafa Talpur is member Board of Governors of Indus Cultural Forum. He is a development economist. He did his masters in international development. Mustafa has been working with different development agencies since last 20 years. Mr Talpur has special interest and expertise in social justice, environment and economic development of Pakistan.
ASHFAQ HUSSAIN CHANDIO
MEMBER
Ashfaq Hussain Chandio is member Board of Governors of Indus Cultural Forum. He was associated with Textile Industry for more than ten years. He served in several companies and represented them in Russian Federation, Ukraine, Germany, Central Asia, Turkey and Hongkong. Currently he is working for the betterment and rehabilitation of People with disabilities as a Lecturer.
MUNAWAR HASSAN MEMBER
Munawar Hassan is a development professional with over 20 years experience in the field of education, WASH and culture. He has been managing programs and working on public policy issues in Pakistan and abroad. He occasionally writes on socio-cultural issues and is passionate about promotion of cultural & linguistic diversity of the country. He is among pioneer members of Indus Cultural Forum and served as it’s first General Secretary. (Munawar resigned from his position as member BoG and General Secretary due to personal reasons)
MOHSIN BABBAR MEMBER
Mohsin Babbar is a writer, researcher, journalist and a development professional. He has been working in the field of communication, research and corporate social responsiblity. He has deep interest in promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity. He is regular contributor of op-eds for leading English and Sindhi newspapers and appears on TV as analyst and host of current affairs programs. (Mohsin resigned from his position as member BoG and General Secretary due to personal reasons)