AZIZ ALI DAD E-mail: azizalidad@gmail.com EDUCATION: MSc. in Philosophy of Social Sciences. London School of Economics and Political Science, London (UK), 2004 Graduation in Islamic Studies and Humanities. The Institute of Ismaili Studies, London with classes in School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London, UK, 2002 Masters in English Literature (pursued) Gordon College Rawalpindi,, 1999 BA (Economics) Karachi University, Karachi, 1996 WORK EXPERIENCE Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (Dec 2014 onwards) Saibaan Development Organization. Islamabad. (September, 2011 September 2013) Strengthening Participatory Organization Specialist Knowledge Management AKRSP is the pioneer organisation in social development sector in. As a Specialist Knowledge Management in the Monitoring and Research section of AKRSP, I am responsible for carrying out both qualitative research and producing knowledge products regarding indigenous dynamics that may impinge upon development initiatives in the particular political and cultural context of Gilgit, Baltistan and Chitral in Northern. My task entails qualitative and quantitative surveys, producing research report, booklets, liaise with research institutions, writing situation analysis and annual report, mentoring interns and research fellows from national and international universities inducted in the fellowship programme. Advisor Research and Communications As a research advisor I was responsible for providing advisory input for development of strategies, undertaking research assignment, liaison with educational and research institutions, production of annual report, overseeing quarterly reports, preparing guidelines for case studies, assessment studies, monitoring and evaluation of projects, and conducting baseline survey for new projects. As an advisor, I oversaw research regarding institutional assessment, qualitative studies regarding governance, gender and peace and harmony. As advisor I prepared 12 training manuals for the capacity building of National University of Science and Technology (NUST). In addition, I played an important role in preparing National Policy for Overseas supported by International Labour Organization (ILO). Research Specialist SPO is the largest rights based organisation in. I was responsible for preparing communication material, editing, writing annual report, case studies, 1
(SPO). Islamabad. (July 2009-August 2011) Aga Khan Education Services, (AKESP). Gilgit (April 2007 to May 2008) Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Gilgit. (Feb 2006 to March 2007) Al-Azhar Model College for Girls, Gilgit. (Oct 1999 - Aug 2000) data updating, carrying out research, publishing books, liaison with academicians and researchers to publish research papers, writing booklets, preparing press release, conducting surveys, maintaining the brand identity, developing programme flyers, brouchers, writing booklets, arranging lecture programmes, writing funding proposals, managing website and writing its content, review and editing of funding and advocacy proposals. Since I have expertise in research and writing, SPO assigned me important tasks of carrying out research and preparing research reports pertaining to social, cultural and religious factors influencing human rights in. During my stint I arranged national level seminars, conferences, workshops and training sessions. National Consultant for Developing The Northern Areas Education Strategy 2025 This was a component of European Union funded project of AKESP. In this project AKESP provided technical and financial support to Department of Education, Northern Areas to develop education strategy that takes into consideration indigenous demands and requirements into consideration. The overall objective of the Northern Areas Education Strategy 2025 is to construct a road-map for the education sector in the Northern Areas encompassing various strands of educational realities and priorities, and make it more context-specific to the educational needs and requirements of the region. Consultant for Capacity Assessment Survey for Institutional Development 2006 As a Monitory, Research & Evaluation Consultant I was assigned the task of conducting survey to assess maturity of local civil society organisations which were fostered by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP). This was a large scale survey that covered every tehsil of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. To ensure the accurate collection of data I travelled to the far flung villages of both regions. The survey assessed capacity and maturity of the 1400 local organisations (VOs/WOs and LSOs) in terms of five main indicators which includes; economic viability, participation, management, relevance and governance. Lecturer of Literature In teaching literature I tried to the best of my abilities to employ holistic approach to create awareness about literature as a genuine medium to convey the multiplicity and complexity of human experience in language. I tried to connect the discursive practices of literature with the personal experiences of students and projecting lived experiences of students into literary texts. RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS Human Rights Commission of Researcher The increasing intensity of sectarian violence in Gilgit has taken the cognizance of decision makers and civil society of. Being a right 2
based organization Human Rights Commission of has hired my services to produce a paper that will provide insight into history of sectarianism from pre-modern times, the British period, post independence period, Zia s rule, post Zia period, current situation and future suggestion. For that purpose I had to review literature, collect data from Interior Ministry and Police Department, interview politicians, civil society activists and religious leaders. This comprehensive paper will be published by HRCP. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Focus Humanitarian Assistance, January 2009 Research Analyst As an analyst I was responsible to write a research paper about Political Parties in Gilgit Baltistan their support base, line of action, different stages of the political life of the region and outlining leading ideology of these parties. In addition, I had to take stock of their respective rise and decline. One of the tasks of research was to identify status of the region in the constitutional developments in. Part of the assignment was to provide futuristic projection for 2013 based on political attitudes and strategies of the leading political parties from 2008-12. Authored Rebuilding of Risk by Communities of Northern Areas and Chitral. The main purpose of this study was to get an insight into the social and cultural dynamics that causes local communities to rebuild risk in disaster prone areas. As a consultant, I was entrusted with the task of developing research methodology and carrying out field research in the communities of Northern Areas. In this capacity I held Focus Group Discussions with the communities who faced disasters in their regions. Using anthropological and sociological tools I prepared a detail report for policy formulation of Focus Humanitarian Assistance,. Other Information Taught to MPhil classes at Bahria University, Islamabad.. Visiting faculty member of Karakuram International University (KIU),. Commented on national TV channels on political issues of Gilgit- Baltistan. Studied Classical Arabic in School of Oriental and African Studies for 1 year. Undertook two and half months Arabic Language Course in Faiz, Morocco. Completed course on In-Sessional English for Academic Purposes at the University College London (UCL). Presented papers in seminars and conferences at national level. SOME REPORTS/PUBLICATIONS: I am a regular columnist of daily The News. In addition, I have contributed articles on political and social issues to daily Dawn, Weekly The Friday Times and monthly Herald. All my articles in daily The News can be read on http://www.thenews.com.pk/todaysprintwritername.aspx?url=aziz%20ali%20dad. Some of my publications are as under: 3
1. Research Paper Civilization: A Document of Barbarism. October-December 2014 2. Research Paper Sectarian Violence in Gilgit-Baltistan. Human Rights Commission of. 2012. 3. Research Paper History of Political Parties in Gilgit-Baltistan. Lahore University of Management Sciences. 2012. 4. Research Paper Recreation of Risks in Gilgit published in From Disaster to Development. volume 2. 5. Emerging Reason. The Friday Times, 13 Dec 2013 6. Modernity and Mutation. Book review of The Meeting Place By Muhammad Amin Zia & Almuth Degener publisher Harrassowitz Wiesbaden, and published in The News on Sunday. September 2013. 7. Gilgit s Sectarian Conundrum. The Friday Times. April 20-27, 2012. 8. Letter and Spirit: A study of literary criticism of Ibn Sina.. The Friday Times. Dec 30, 2011. 9. Sectarian Violence in Gilgit-Baltistan. November 22, 2011 10. The Poetics of Avicenna, The Friday Times. August 5, 2011 11. Poetry and Poverty of Thought, Viewpoint July 27, 2011. 12. Domaaki: Vanishing Voice of Hunza. The Friday Times, July 7-13, 2011. 13. Science and Conscience, Viewpoint. June 3, 2011. 14. Cannibalism in Gilgit, Viewpoint. March 25, 2011. 15. Philosophy at the End of History, Viewpoint. January 14, 2011. 16. Jan Ali: A Subaltern Voice, Express Tribune. December 16, 2010. The extended version of this article is reproduced in a shape of research paper in the magazine of Government College University. 17. A man-made disaster. The Friday Times. June 11-17, 2010. 18. Vanishing Voices: Indigenous Languages in the Age of Globalisation. The News on Sunday, February 28, 2010. 19. Discontents in Gilgit-Baltistan. Weekly the Friday Times. January 21, 2010. 20. Celebrate fragments of the whole. Weekly the Friday Times. December 18-24, 2009. 21. The Blight May Spread. Weekly the Friday Times. September 4-10, 2009. 22. Cost of Expansion. The News. March 8, 2009. 23. Study of Terrorism.www.chowk.com. March 3, 2009. 24. Prolegomena to Mythological Stories of Shina Language. Published under the aegis of National Institute of Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad 25. Edward Said: An Icon of Resistance. The Nation,. September 25, 2008 26. Northern Areas: An Illusion of Autonomy. Dawn,. November 3, 2007. 27. Theory-laden Observation, Dawn,. June 24, 2006. 28. Life on the Edge, The News,. June 18, 2006. 29. Diamerically Opposed,The News,. March 5, 2006. 17. The case of Gilgit-Baltistan is different, Dawn,. Jan 28, 2006. Republished in Kashmir Affairs, Vol 1 No 4.October- December 2006, 16 Millway Gardens. Northolt UB5 5DU. United Kingdom. 44. Joan of Art, The News,. Nov 13, 2005. 45. Violent Association, The News,. Oct 23, 2005. 46. Northern Areas Cry for Help, Dawn,. December 11, 2004. 47. Epistemic Violence, The News, London, UK. April 14, 2004. 48. Religious Politics in Northern Areas, Dawn,. March 3, 2004. 49. Status of Hunza and Nagar, Daily Dawn,. June, 18, 2003. 50. Unsung but not unlamented, The News, November 17, 2002 51. A Closed Mind, Daily Dawn,. September 1, 2002 52. Only if you say, Daily Dawn,. November 14, 1999 53. Jingoistic Insanity of India and, Quarterly Journal Sha oor volume 2. DOB: Dec 12, 1975 Nationality: i Gender: Male 4
Languages: English, Urdu, Shina, Khuwar and Brushaski: Fluent in reading, writing and understanding Arabic and Persian: Fluent in reading, elementary writing and understanding 5