Advisors
Dr. Faisal Bari
Advisor
Dr. Faisal Bari
A distinguished academic leader and national policy expert, Dr. Faisal Bari is an Associate Professor of Economics and the former Dean of the School of Education at LUMS. He is the Founder and CEO of IDEAS (Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives) and a Member of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). His extensive footprint in public service includes serving as a Board Member for the Punjab Examination Commission and providing the foundational research that contributed to the development of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP). Globally recognized for his expertise, Dr Bari has consulted for major multilateral agencies, including the World Bank, UNDP, and the Asian Development Bank, and previously served as the Education Economist for South Asia at the Open Society Foundation.
His exceptional academic background includes a Doctorate from McGill University, a Master’s from the University of the Punjab, and Bachelor’s degrees from both the University of Oxford and Government College, Lahore. Beyond his administrative and research roles, Dr. Bari is a leading public intellectual and a bi-weekly columnist for DAWN, where he consistently contributes to the discourse on education and economic reform in Pakistan.
Dr. Ayesha Farooq
Advisor
Dr. Ayesha Farooq
Dr. Ayesha Farooq is a distinguished sociologist and academic leader currently serving as the Chairperson of the Department of Sociology at Government College University (GCU), Lahore. With an academic career spanning nearly two decades, and a prolific scholar with an international research footprint, Dr Farooq is recognized for her authoritative insights into social stratification, gender mainstreaming, and the sociology of aging. Her research, published in leading global journals, contributes extensively to discourses on social inequality and educational standards. Beyond academia, she serves as a Subject Expert for various higher education boards, shaping sociological curricula and advancing institutional standards. A frequent international keynote speaker, Dr Farooq has led national workshops on gender integration, media, and digital pedagogy, reflecting her commitment to modern educational reform.
Dr Farooq holds a Post-Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD from the University of the Punjab.
Dr. Atifa Usmani
Advisor
Dr. Atifa Usmani
Dr Atifa Usmani, an Advisor to ILLD, is a celebrated academic and artist with 28 years of experience in higher education. She currently serves as a Professor and the Head of the Department of Textile Design at Govt. Graduate College for Women, Gulberg, Lahore. Previously, she established and led the Department of Art and Design at the University of Home Economics, Lahore. Beyond her academic leadership, she is a prominent practicing artist and a founding member of the Critique Art Studio. Her creative contributions include participating in three art exhibitions and curating multiple others.
An active voice on social issues, Dr Usmani is also a columnist, poet, and freelance journalist who contributes to various newspapers. Additionally, she serves as an Executive Member of the FALF literary club, further demonstrating her commitment to the arts and literature. Dr Usmani holds a PhD in Art and Design, specialising in political and editorial cartoons, and has contributed extensively to her field, with more than 10 research publications in leading academic journals.