Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy - PODA

FROM THE IOM FLOOD SERVICE HANDBOOK PUNJAB / August-September 2010:

This organization lists these accomplishments:

FOOD:

Food District in Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajan Pur
UC Channa, UC Khushab urban 20, 23, Sandral, Nalli

WASH:

Health and hygiene sessions. Distribution of soap, water cooler.

HEALTH:

Medical camp in Dera Ghazi Khan UC yaro. UC Mehmood kot Muzaffargarh.

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PODA Staff
SEE EMAILS BELOW

Ms. Sameena Nazir, Executive Director since January 2007.

Sameena Nazir established PODA in 2003 and served as a Board Member from 2003 to 2006 and now serves as Executive Director. Ms. Nazir has worked in development and human rights advocacy sector for 20 years. She has been writing and working for women’s rights, equality, development and social justice issues since 1990. Before joining PODA she was a Project Director at New York city based NGO, Freedom House (2003-2006) where she directed an international study on women’s rights in Middle East and North Africa. Earlier she worked as women’s rights program coordinator at the International Human Rights Law Group in Washington DC (1995 to 2003) and established women’s rights projects in Afghanistan, Morocco, Pakistan and Yemen focusing on legal literacy. From 1989 to 1994, she worked in Pakistan as a journalist with daily The Muslim. Ms. Nazir has studied English Literature and Law from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan and has specialized in International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University, NY, USA.

Ms. Yasmin Akhter, Finance/Admin Director since 2003.

Ms. Yasmin Akhter has worked with PODA since April 2003 and has been working as Finance Manager since January 2006. She has worked in all the departments of PODA starting from artisans workshop finance officer to micro-credit project supervisor for rural women. She is contributing to the continued development of PODA through pro-active membership of PODA's Management Team. Ms. Yasmin Akhter has represented PODA at various national and international events including women rights meetings in USA and Thailand. She has studied Education and participated in several trainings about NGO financial management and operations. She can be reached via email at

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Ms. Naheeda Abbasi, Regional Manager, Potohar – North Punjab since January 2006.

Ms. Naheeda Abbasi is responsible for over sight of PODA’s work in the Potohar region including projects on Rural Women Teachers Capacity Building in District Chakwal, and a region wide project on the elimination of violence against women. Before joining PODA she worked at Plan Pakistan in Chakwal from May 2002 to December 2004 as Assistant Education Officer and earlier worked as the Head Teacher in Chief Grammer School, Chakwal from August 1998 to December 2000. Ms. Naheeda Abbasi has a M.Ed in Distance and Non-Formal Education from Allama Iqbal Open University and BA in Philosophy and Educational Psychology from University of the Punjab, Lahore. She can be reached via email

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Mr. Mohammad Arif, Regional Manager, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, since June 2010

Mr. Mohammad Arif is responsible for implementing PODA's projects in Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa province. Before joining PODA he worked as Child Protection Coordinator with Save the Children Alliance-USA in D.I. Khan and as Field Protection Officer for International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Peshawar, Buner and Swat. He also served as a Team Leader, Registration & Verification Project-Pakistan Emergency Response for IDPs conflict for SACH (NGO) in Attock, Rawalpindi and Islamabad and was a Field Officer for ‘Help in Need Organization’ in Sakahakot. Earlier, Mr. Arif was a Campaign Support Person in Malakand Agency for the World Health Organization and has also worked as a Social Organizer, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer for Sabawoon Welfare Foundation in Malakand. Mr. Arif has been a volunteer for the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Malakand and has also worked at the National Rural Support Program. Mr. Arif has an M.A in Gender Studies from Department of Gender Studies, University of Peshawar and BA in Law and Sociology from Islamia College, Peshawar University. He can be reached via email at

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Mr. Zubair Malik, Regional Manager, South Punjab, since April 2010

Mr. Zubair Malik is a professional with 10 years of experience in human rights, PEACE, social and human services, program and project management & community outreach. Working for programs & other disciplines to enhance the social, educational and other characteristics of community activist, students, social worker & the general public skills for liaison with organization & communities, engaged in social development, worked as project director with STEP & other national and international NGO. Represented Pakistan in international education, labour, human rights, conferences abroad

Ms. Aniqa Raza, Human Resource Manager, since June 2006

Ms. Aniqa Raza joined PODA as an Intern in 2006 and started working as a full time staff in 2007. Currently she heads the Human Resource Department at PODA and is responsible for all personnel related issues for PODA staff in 5 field offices and a national office. She is also supervising PODA's compliance with the Code of Conduct law of 2010 against sexual harassment at workplace. She holds an MSc in Gender Studies from Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi and has also specialized in Human Resource Management procedures. She can be reached via email at

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Ms. Sumaira Ishfaq, Coordinator, Women’s Rights & Livelihoods Education Program, since October 2008.

Ms. Sumaira Ishfaq joined PODA as a Volunteer in 2008 and later as a Intern in 2009. She started working at PODA as a full time staff from January 2010. She is currently conducting trainings on the implementation of newly enacted law against sexual harassment at the workplace in Pakistan (2010). She is also providing trainings in agricultural education and kitchen gardening to rural women. Ms. Sumaira Ishfaq holds an MSc (Honours) in Plant Pathology from the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi. She can be reached via email at

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Mr. Muhammad Zubair, Researcher, since February 2009.

Muhammad Zubair joined PODA as a Research Assistant and is now working as Researcher in Democracy and Human Rights Education Program. Earlier he worked at United Nations Development Program (Gender Justice Project) during 2008. Mr. Zubair has an MSc in Economics from National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad. He can be reached via email at

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Ms. Javeria Qureshi, Finance Officer, since March 2010

Ms. Javeria Qureshi has over 8 years of experience in accounting and financial management. Before joining PODA she worked at Gulistan Group of Companies, Lahore (February 2006 to December 2007), Fateh Group of companies, Hyderabad (January 2002 to December 2005). She has also taught "Managerial Economics" as a visiting lecturer at Hyderabad Institute of Science and Technology during 2005. She holds an MBA (Finance) from University of Sindh Jamshoro and BBA (Honours) from University of Sindh, Jamshoro. She can be reached via email at

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Mr. Wajid Hussain, IT Manager, since March 2007.

Mr. Wajid Hussain is a professionally trained computer technician with excellent graphic designing and typing skills. He is serving PODA as a IT Manager since March 2007. He has installed new networks in 5 offices in Chakwal, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Buner and Nara Mughlan enabling sharing of documents and files and efficient access to the internet for all PC users. He has created new logos, banners, brochures, booklets, folders and leaflet designs for the organization and published over 20 new documents including this new website for PODA. He can be reached via email at

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