CARC's Team
CARC, based in Islamabad with a regional office in Peshawar, stands out for its exceptional team of associates. These experts excel in research, communication, public health, climate change, water governance, disaster risk reduction (DRR), education, skill development, financial inclusion, quality management, and IT. Their profound expertise fuels CARC’s mission to provide top-notch services in research, advocacy, communications, and marketing for sustainable development projects.
At CARC, management is key, driving success in both research and events management. The company leverages a blend of physical and virtual offices across Pakistan, ensuring seamless operations. CARC’s streamlined processes as a digital publisher and event producer lead to influential events in the education sector, inspiring young professionals and delivering diverse, impactful projects.
The team’s focus on effective tools, tactics, strategies, and techniques sets CARC apart in the research consulting industry. They are dedicated to executing projects with precision and efficiency, consistently exceeding client expectations. CARC’s associates are not just skilled professionals but are true experts, committed to advancing sustainable development through innovative and effective solutions.
Dr. Waqar Ahmad
Dr. Waqar Ahmad is the Chief Executive Officer of “Center for Advocacy Research & Communication”, and Editor-in-Chief of “CARC Research in Social Sciences” HEC recognized journal in Y category for the session of 2023-2024. He has expertise in wide ranging areas of sectarian violence, climate change, youth involvement in democratic process, women empowerment in democratic process, local government, and constituency management system (CMS).
Dr. Shakeel Hayat
Dr. Shakeel Hayat is a distinguished expert in water governance and climate change. He holds a master’s degree in Climate Change from the University of East Anglia, UK, and a PhD in Water Governance from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. With over 15 years of diverse experience, Dr. Hayat has collaborated with numerous national and international organizations, including WaterAid, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Notable projects he has contributed to include his role as ‘Climate Change & WASH Specialist’ with WaterAid Pakistan, ‘Research & Scholarship Development Specialist’ with the Asian Development Bank, and his involvement as an ‘Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist’ for the GCF-funded ‘Recharge Pakistan Project. Dr. Hayat has also been instrumental in the World Bank/HEC-sponsored project on “Achieving SDG-6 – The Inclusive Governance of Urban Water and Sanitation.” His steadfast dedication to environmental activism underscores his commitment to driving positive change in sustainability and environmental conservation initiatives. Dr. Hayat is currently teaching climate change and water governance at the Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar and also advising WaterAid and GIZ on diverse challenges of climate change and WASH.
Dr. Hameed Jamali
Dr. Hameed Jamali is an expert in climate-resilient development, disaster risk reduction, and water governance with extensive experience spanning over 20 years in these sectors (UN system, intergovernmental organizations, semi-government organizations, NGOs, and academia) in advisory services, policy analysis, project management, and research related assignments primarily in the context of developing countries (e.g., South and Central Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean) besides having managed many projects.
Dr. Jamali completed his PhD in Climate Resilient Development from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva, and his Masters in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia, UK. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Netherlands conducting policy analysis on climate change and water governance issues with a focus on Indus Delta, Pakistan. Before that, he worked with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a Climate Change Expert for the KP Cities Improvement Project in Pakistan. Dr. Jamali served with the Green Economy Team, within the UN Environment Geneva, Switzerland, and provided strategic and technical advice on climate change, DRR, environment, and development policy and undertook assessment of
national and sectoral policies by engaging with high-level stakeholders in the countries of the regions covered (Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia). He also provided technical assistance on the Green Economy to the Kyrgyz Republic during his work with UNEP. He also worked as an Assistant Professor of climate and water governance at the Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar.
He is currently engaged as a Climate Policy Analyst at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok working on mainstreaming climate change within water, agriculture, development planning, DRR, and finance through policy analysis and advisory services and support for the key federal ministries (Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Water Resources, etc.) in Pakistan. From 1998-2006, Dr. Jamali completed many projects and individual assignments for UNICEF, UNDP, ADB, Oxfam GB, and Oxfam Novib. He has also received several international academic scholarships.
Aftab Nazeer
Aftab has obtained his Ph.D. from the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and IHE Delft, the Netherlands, in December 2022. Within his Ph.D. research, he has investigated the Hydro-climatic regime of the snow-covered and glacierised Upper Indus Basin (UIB) under current and future climates.
Currently, he is working as an assistant professor in a public-sector university. Besides; he has been working as a consultant with various INGOs like GIZ, WWF, and OPM. Aftab has expertise in hydro-climatic modeling, hydrological extremes, climate service and projections, global and remote sensing data, use of GIS GEE and Pyhton/R programming. Moreover, he has been designing and conducting various capacity-building training for professionals working in water, climate, and other relevant fields. He has also collaborated on various multi-disciplinary projects & consultancies.
Aqsa Shamim Ahmed
Aqsa Shamim Ahmed is a distinguished clinical psychologist and dedicated educator, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sports Sciences at The University of Lahore. With a profound commitment to student well-being, Aqsa provides comprehensive psychological consultations to university students, addressing a wide array of mental, emotional, and behavioral concerns. Her expertise and empathetic approach enable students to navigate their challenges effectively, fostering their social, vocational, and personal development.
In addition to her role as a clinical psychologist, Aqsa excels in academia, imparting knowledge to both undergraduate and graduate students through her courses on sport and exercise psychology. She emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application, equipping students with the skills to apply psychological principles within real-world sports contexts. Her dynamic teaching methodology not only enhances student understanding but also empowers them to excel in their respective fields.
Aqsa’s research interests lie at the intersection of psychology and sports performance. Her scholarly work delves into critical aspects such as performance anxiety, self-confidence, attentional control, motivation, and mental toughness. She has made significant contributions to the field through her numerous publications in prestigious academic journals and her regular presentations at national and international conferences. These contributions underscore her role as a thought leader in sports psychology.
Committed to the broader community, Aqsa extends her mental health support services beyond the university setting. She offers both in-person and online clinical practices, ensuring accessible and flexible care for individuals in need. Her dedication to community service reflects her passion for promoting mental health and well-being on a larger scale.
Aqsa is currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Riphah International University. Her advanced studies further enhance her expertise and reinforce her commitment to advancing the field of psychology. With a blend of academic rigor, clinical acumen, and a compassionate approach, Aqsa Shamim Ahmed continues to make a significant impact on the lives of her students and the wider community.
Meher Iftikhar
Meher Iftikhar is an accomplished professional with a rich background in strategic communication, technical writing, and development sector expertise. Holding double master’s degrees in English and Applied Linguistics and International Relations from Peshawar University, Meher excels at translating complex technical concepts into accessible content for diverse audiences. Her strategic communication skills have been instrumental in shaping policy initiatives and effectively conveying key messages within the development sector. As a seasoned technical writer, Meher has also contributed her expertise to numerous government projects, demonstrating her ability to distill intricate information into clear and compelling narratives.
Her notable roles include serving as Creative Content/Communications Officer for the Directorate of Science and Technology in the Department of ST&IT KP, where she crafted strategic communication plans and organized public events to engage the community in science and technology initiatives. Similarly, as a Creative Content and Communications Consultant for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB) on a World Bank-funded project ‘’Digital Governance Support Unit’’, she developed and executed various communication strategies for digital governance initiatives. Moreover, she served as a Policy Drafting Consultant for the Center of Intelligent Systems and Network Research (CISNR) under the GIZ REEE-SCALE Project at UET Peshawar, where she played a pivotal role in shaping policies for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Meher’s extensive skill set in business communication, stakeholder engagement, project management, and professional business writing, positions her as a dedicated advocate for driving positive change in the society.