Leadership with a Vision
Our Board of Directors comprises individuals whose diverse expertise and experiences bring a wealth of knowledge to SI.
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry
Chairman, Sanober Institute, Islamabad
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry is Chairman Sanober Institute, Islamabad, an independent voice on global and strategic issues of relevance for Pakistan. He has a 37-year long career in the Foreign Service of Pakistan, rising to the rank of the Foreign Secretary. Mr. Chaudhry’s last diplomatic assignment was as Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States of America.
He has also served as Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands, Foreign Office Spokesman, Additional Secretary for UN and disarmament, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York, Director General for South Asia, and Director at the Tehran-based ECO.
He started his diplomatic career with postings in the Middle East: Cairo, Doha, and Tehran. Later in his career, he remained closely associated with the India-Pakistan peace process as well as relations with the United States.
After retirement, he served as the Director General of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad for over four years. During this term, he oversaw the organization of conferences, roundtables, and symposia on subjects of global contestations and their impact on Pakistan.
Ambassador Chaudhry has authored three books:
Also wrote numerous research articles published at home and abroad. He contributes weekly columns to Dawn daily.
Ambassador Chaudhry holds Masters in international relations from Tufts University, Massachusetts, and a First Class First Bachelor of Science from Punjab University, Lahore.
Dr. Qamar Cheema
Executive Director, Sanober Institute, Islamabad
Dr. Qamar Cheema is working as Executive Director at Sanober Institute. Previously he has been a faculty member for 14 years from 2010 to 2023 at the Department of International Relations in the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad.
He Has been a visiting faculty member at the School of Politics and International Relations at Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, International Islamic University, National University of Science and Technology ( NUST ) and SZABIST Islamabad.
He regularly appears on national and international media Including DW, Aljazeera, India Today, CNN News 18, Times Radio UK, CBC Canada, and other TV stations as Strategic and Political Analyst, and writes articles for newspapers.
He Travels extensively for lectures and conferences in Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world.
His area of interest is Islamist Parties of Pakistan, Indo-Pacific Region and South Asian Politics.
He can be reached
qamarcheema@gmail.com
@qamarcheema
Engr. Muhammad Khalid Bashir
Director
He is an engineering graduate in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore in the year 1978. One year on-job training with Mitsubishi Group company in Japan.
Engr. Khalid has a vast experience in engineering, implementation, application and management.
Currently working as:
Chief Executive Officer, Zirva (Pvt.) Limited, an engineering and contracting company.
Director, Kasmy Pack (Pvt) Limited, a packaging industry.
Director, Sanober Institute, a rising Think Tank of renowned and eminent opinion makers.
Also worked as:
Director (Member BoD), Heavy Mechanical Complex, HMC for 03 years
President, Society of Mechanical Engineers of Pakistan for 06 years
Had been a visiting faculty member at:
Poly-Technique Institute for Women, Islamabad.
Comsats, Islamabad.
Contributing his professional social responsibility as:
Member of Pakistan Engineering Council – Pakistan Standard Bidding Documents Committee and member of a four-member sub-committee which is preparing this document.
Member of Pakistan Engineering Council – Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Committee.
Vice Admiral (Retired) Khan Hasham Bin Saddique HI(M)
Managing Director, Bahria Foundation
Spanning nearly four decades, Vice Admiral (Retired) Khan Hasham Bin Saddique HI(M) served on several key command and staff appointments during his career in Pakistan Navy. He belongs to the Surface Warfare Arm of Navy and has commanded ships, Squadrons, and the Pakistan Navy Fleet. He also has the distinction of commanding the Combined Task Force 150 at HQ NAVCENT Bahrain, comprising naval units of more than 30 countries, deployed for combating terrorism at sea and ensuring maritime security of North Indian Ocean. During his tenures at Naval Headquarters, he has been the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff of Operations, Projects and Administration. In 2017, he retired as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, the second highest post in Pakistan Navy. The Admiral has also commanded the Pakistan Naval Academy and Pakistan Navy War College; and served as Commandant of National Defence College at National Defence University, Islamabad. In recognition of his meritorious services, Government of Pakistan has awarded him Sitara e Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal e Imtiaz (Military). He is also the recipient of coveted Sword of Honour at his graduation.
He is a specialist in Naval Communications and Surface Warfare Operations. The Admiral holds a Masters degree in Operations Research from Monterey, California, USA. The Admiral is an alumnus of National Defence University, Islamabad, where he attained M Phil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management. He holds MSc degrees in Joint Warfare and War Studies from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.
After his retirement from the Navy in 2017 he assumed the charge as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative at OIC. On his return he became President of a Think Tank; Islamabad Policy Research Institute from Feb 2019 to May 2020. He joined Bahria Foundation in February 2021 as Managing Director. Under his dynamic leadership the Foundation has already attained new heights and continues to progress at a great pace. The Admiral has a keen interest in sports and is an avid golfer now.
He can be reached at
Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi
Former Ambassador to China; European Union; Belgium; Luxembourg; Ireland
Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi is a retired diplomat with over 37 years of experience in Pakistan’s Foreign Service. She has held key ambassadorial roles in China, the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Ireland.
Currently, she serves as a Certified Director, Advisor at Kestral Trading, Advisor for China Study at ISSI, Independent Director at FWBL, and Vice Chair at CGP. She is also a political analyst.
Ambassador Hashmi is a prolific writer, having authored books such as “Magnificent Pakistan” and “Pakistan-China-All Weather Friendship.” She shares her insights on X (formerly Twitter) @AmbNaghmanaHash.
Raja Amer Iqbal
Former President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI)
Raja Amer Iqbal is a seasoned business leader with expertise in trade facilitation, economic policy, and corporate leadership. As President RCCI (2016-2017), he promoted economic growth, particularly in the SME sector, and played a key role as Chairman CPEC committee on behalf of all Pakistan chambers of commerce and industry in between 2017-2020, in advancing a trade relation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He also facilitated cross-border collaboration at the International Rawal Expo 2018. He has been a member of the board of governors in many national universities. He is also a member of the board of directors Pakistan institute of conflict and security studies (PICCS) Islamabad from 2014 till date.
Currently, Raja Amer serves as Chairman & CEO of Rohtas Group of Companies and is an active member of think tanks focusing on security, economy, and foreign policy, besides being the President DBOM PVTC (District board of management Punjab vocational training council district Rawalpindi) from 2019 till date.
His academic background includes an M.Phil in Government and Public Policy (NDU ISB), an MSc in Economics ( QAU ISB) , and an MBA in Finance (W I.U London)