WHO WE ARE?
About Knowledge Forum
TKF was founded by a group of human rights practitioners, development professionals, activists, and legal experts. Working in diverse fields over the last two decades, our shared experience confirms that knowledge, in the form of community-focused research, is the most critical factor in guiding and strengthening actions that advance rights and social justice processes. We have therefore come together for community-centric knowledge building, which is designed and shaped for strategic advocacy with relevant actors. Operational since 2020, The Knowledge Forum's pool of research and advocacy experts has produced critical reports and engagements in a range of domains covering human rights, labour standards compliance, business and human rights, climate change and just energy transition, and protecting and expanding civic spaces, among others.
Core Team
Zeenia Shaukat
Zeenia Shaukat has studied Economics (University of Karachi, 2000) and International Communications (University of Leeds, 2005). Her interest and expertise lies in research and communication. Her background includes editorial positions with mainstream media, research and political communication support for parliamentarian Sherry Rehman, and project lead and management at the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, where she implemented programs on enhancing workers’ rights advocacy initiatives across various sectors. She has also worked on a range of technical projects and strategic research for rights-based organisations, including the Sindh Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Human Rights, and Ethical Trading Initiative, UK. At The Knowledge Forum, she spearheads the design and execution of strategic projects, leading a team of researchers and support staff to achieve high-quality outcomes covering research, narrative-building and stakeholder outreach in alignment with the organisation’s community-centric agenda. Her work can be found on her website: https://zeeniashaukat.com/
Shujauddin Qureshi
Shujauddin Qureshi is currently working as Communication and Advocacy Lead with The Knowledge Forum (TKF), where he contributes research-based advocacy content on pressing social, economic, and environmental issues, including energy transition and community rights. A veteran journalist with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Qureshi has worked extensively across print, electronic, and digital media in English, Urdu, and Sindhi. Academically, he holds master’s degrees in Mass Communication and Economics, along with a Bachelor of Commerce, all from the University of Sindh. Recognised for his excellence, he received the IUCN-Reuters Environmental Journalism Award (Asia) in 1999. Mr. Qureshi brings a unique blend of journalistic integrity, development advocacy, and communication expertise, making him a respected voice in Pakistan’s media and civil society landscape.
Fahmida Riaz
Fahmida Riaz is a dedicated journalist, researcher, and human rights defender with a strong passion for amplifying marginalised voices and promoting social justice. With extensive experience in social mobilisation, research, and journalism, she worked with various organisations and communities to drive positive change. Currently, she is hosting 'Untold Stories' on Sindh TV News and working with The Knowledge Forum to produce knowledge-based interventions for community rights. She assists TKF with stakeholder outreach, particularly the political leadership and public representatives in the parliament. Her background in sociology and experience working with grassroots initiatives have equipped her with a unique perspective on social issues. She is committed to using her skills to empower communities and advocate for human rights.
Pervez Ahmed Jamro
Pervez has over 15 years of extensive experience in the development sector, with a strong focus on community mobilisation, outreach, research surveys, peace building, and training. Throughout his career, he has worked with diverse communities and organisations, building effective linkages between stakeholders and ensuring active community participation in development initiatives. At TKF, Pervez works as Community Coordination & Outreach Lead, primarily focusing on TKF’s research work. Pervez facilitates linkages, supervises data collection, organises meetings, surveys, and focus group discussions in line with research methodology. He also leads monitoring and reporting to ensure smooth execution of the field work. He leads surveys and FGDs in local languages and provides translations to support accurate communication and reporting.
Munazzah
Munazzah is a student of Public Administration with a keen interest in governance and policy research. At TKF, she supports research projects through data collection, analysis, and academic insight, contributing to the organisation’s mission of knowledge and impact.
Arbaz Janjhi
An experienced digital marketer and PR strategist with 3+ years of expertise in amplifying voices through impactful campaigns. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Arbaz combines academic knowledge with hands-on experience. At TKF, he manages digital media presence, campaigns, event coordination, and community outreach, contributing to projects that refine strategic thinking and deliver meaningful results.
Reaserch Team
Zameer Awan
Passionate about justice, research, and social change — Zameer Awan has dedicated over 15 years to the development sector. His work sheds light on labor rights, human rights, and the struggles of marginalized communities, turning field realities into published knowledge that inspires action and inclusive development.
Najammudin
Najam is a lawyer, human rights researcher and former journalist. His research work has focused particularly on workers' rights, rule of law issues, fundamental freedoms, forced migration, and safety issues for media practitioners in Pakistan.
Eisha Jawaid
Eisha Jawaid Khan is a researcher and policy analyst with a focus on economic development, fiscal policy, and climate change in Pakistan. She has an M.Phil in Economics from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, and a Bachelors in Economics and Mathematics from the Institute of Business Administration.
Shanzeh Afzal
Shanzeh Afzal is a Master's student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where she is pursuing an MA in Literary and Cultural Studies. Her work focuses on the impacts of energy, approached through cultural, historical, and literary lenses, with a particular emphasis on environmental justice. She has earlier worked as a Research Associate at The Knowledge Forum, where she studied energy and electricity issues in Sindh. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, where she majored in Media and Culture. Her essay, “The Opposite of Colonization is Indigenization: Imagining Energy Futures through South Asian Science Fiction,” was published in the ninth issue of Tasavvurnama. She is currently working as Managing Editor at the journal Pittsburgh Review of Books.