Syed Shahnoor Al Hassan Gillani is a seasoned business executive, entrepreneur, and corporate strategist with extensive experience in technology, digital platforms, and business innovation. As the CEO and Director of Global Needs Private Limited, he oversees the company’s growth roadmap, digital transformation initiatives, and global trade facilitation services. Gillani is recognized for developing scalable IT software solutions, digital portals, and enterprise innovation programs while fostering strong international business partnerships. His leadership focuses on high-quality execution, strategic expansion, and creating efficient digital ecosystems for institutional clients.
Our Board of Members
Noor Mohammad Kasuri
Founder PEPDF
Noor Muhammad Kasuri is a prominent Pakistani businessman and lobbyist, known primarily as the Chairman of the Pak-India Business Council (PIBC), actively working to foster trade and economic ties between Pakistan and India, and is involved with the Pakistan-India Joint Business Forum (PIJBF). He also heads a leading oil and gas marketing company in Pakistan and engages in high-level discussions with political figures and business leaders from both nations.
Jawaid Riaz
Member, Board of Directors
Jawaid Riaz is a seasoned journalist and media professional. He serves as the Editor of the monthly magazine Bridge Mag and is a regular column writer for the weekly newspaper Pakistan Abroad. Currently, he is working as a Host and Producer at Pakistan Abroad TV in the USA. Previously, he held the position of Bureau Chief for PTV Global, Chicago, and TV One USA, Chicago. He also hosts the popular program “Live with Bilal Qutb” alongside renowned celebrity Syed Bilal Qutb.
Umer Memon
Member, Board of Directors
Umer Memon is a respected community figure known for his dedication and humility. He has devoted his life to serving others, prioritizing their needs above all. Preferring a low profile, he lets his work speak for itself, guided by integrity, honesty, and responsibility. His compassionate and selfless approach inspires those around him, making him a role model for generations. Even today, he continues to contribute tirelessly, shaping a better future through quiet leadership and genuine care.
Prof. Dr. Shaker Mahmood Mayo
Member, Board of Directors
An experienced business leader with strong strategic and managerial skills, he has led multiple organizations to profitability while contributing to Pakistan’s economy. As CEO & Group Chairman of several companies since 2014, and previously CEO of Mustehkam Woods Industries and General Manager Finance in leading textile mills, he has driven efficiency, competitiveness, and growth across sectors. A Chartered Accountant by training, he is a decisive, innovative, and service-focused leader. He brings a results-oriented mindset with the ability to navigate complex business environments and deliver sustainable value. Known for strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities, he consistently focuses on long-term growth, operational excellence, and positive societal impact.
Ehsan Ullah Khan
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Ehsan Ullah Khan holds an MSc in Economics and is a renonwed consultant, running his own management and financial consulting company by the name of Konsult. He has been active in this field for over the past thirty five years. He is also a prolific author, having authored eight books in various subjects. As a TV anchor, he has hosted a number of shows as well as participated in talk shows on TV as an analyst and expert of social and economic issues. He is also a columnist, writing for newspapers such as Daily Nawai Waqt, Mashriq, Khabrain, Al Sharq, Sahafat and Din. He has also authore hundreds of articles that have been published in the renowned journals of Pakistan. He has held positions such as the General Secretary of the Pakistan Economic Forum and been the Honorary Chairman of a number of NGOs.
Muhammad Aslam Rao
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Muhammad Aslam Rao is a renowned Pakistani who has held various positions in reputable organisations and institutions in Pakistan, including the National Book Foundation and the Capital Development Authority. He is a member of the Asia/Pacific Publishers Association, Task Force of TIPAN, and the Ghulam Khatoon Foundation: Foundation for Rural Human Development. He is the author and editor of several publications, including the National Reading Survey in Pakistan (APPREB-ACCU-UNESCO), has translated Kodansha, Japan’s publication “Click Clack Mountain”, co-authored the book “Meo Aur Aqwam-e-Alam”, and serves as editor of Monthly ‘Kitab’, a journal of the National Book Foundation.
Shahid Mehmood Khan
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Shahid Mehmood Khan is an entrepreneur and founder of Nexus Ventures, a financial management consultancy active for the last 20 years. He has extensive experience in international trade and is currently also associated with the Swacoff Group as its representative in UAE, KSA and Pakistan. Swacoff is an African consultancy that works with governments in the execution and implementation of infrastructure projects under EPC+ finance arrangements.
Chaudhary Akhtar Abbas
Member, Board of Directors
Chaudhary Akhtar Abbas is a renowned entrepreneur who has been running a successful customs clearance & forwarding company as of 1978, under the name of Loyal Agencies. In addition to extensive experience, influence and leadership in shipping and logistics, he is also the owner and operator of a salt mine in Khushab through which he is one of the leading exporters of rock salt and associated products from Pakistan. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Pakistan International Freight Forwarding Association (PIFFA) and a member of FIATA, LCAA, KCAA, LCCI and the National Peace Council of Pakistan.
Syed A. Hasan
Member, Board of Directors
Syed A. Hasan is an IT professional and entrepreneur who runs an IT firm working in software, digital transformation, design and consulting. He has an academic background in international development and has worked with a number of organisations in the public and private sectors including international organisations. At PIBC, he helps shape the council’s strategy and oversees its IT & digital backbone.
Muhammad Iqbal Meman
Member, Board of Directors
Muhammad Iqbal Meman is the Managing Director of GM Tractors, Karachi, where he provides strategic leadership and effectively oversees the company’s operations, growth initiatives, and market expansion across the country. With a strong focus on innovation and efficiency, he has successfully guided GM Tractors in adopting modern technologies and advanced practices that significantly enhance the performance and reliability of agricultural machinery. Under his direction, the company has strengthened its market presence and introduced innovative solutions that help farmers increase productivity and promote sustainable farming practices across Pakistan. Mr. Meman’s visionary approach emphasizes long-term growth, industry collaboration, and customer-centric strategies, ensuring that GM Tractors remains a leading contributor to the overall development of the country’s agricultural sector.
Muhammad Yaqoob
Member, Board of Directors
Muhammad Yaqoob currently serves as the Vice President of the Pak-India Business Council, where he provides strategic leadership and actively promotes bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and business collaboration between Pakistan and India. He previously held the position of President at Rochester Cash & Carry Inc., New York, USA, and brings over 20 years of extensive experience across the textile, import-export, retail, and hospitality sectors. He has represented PIBC at numerous international summits, conferences, and seminars and is widely recognized as a prominent and influential figure in the U.S. business community. His career reflects broad expertise in business development, marketing, strategic planning, and trade across both the United States and Pakistan, contributing significantly to strengthening economic ties and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between the two countries.
Iskander Mohammed Khan
Member, Board of Directors
Mr. Iskander Mohammed Khan is a prominent Pakistani businessman who is currently the Director of the Premier Group of Companies. A chartered accountant by profession, he has held many important national positions and been involved in various commercial and industrial projects of national scope. He has been the chairman of the Pakistan Polypropylene Woven Sack Manufacturers Association and the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association as well as the director of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) & Chairman Internal Audit Committee, Oil and Gas Development Company LTD & Chairman HR Committee, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited and Islamabad Stock Exchange. He is also member of the National Agriculture Education Accreditation Council.
Rana Mahmood Ashraf
CEO & Group Chairman
An experienced business leader with a strong strategic outlook and proven management capability, he has successfully led multiple organizations to sustained profitability while contributing to Pakistan’s economy. As CEO & Group Chairman of several companies since 2014, and previously CEO of Mustehkam Woods Industries and General Manager Finance in leading textile mills, he has driven efficiency, growth, and competitiveness across sectors. A Chartered Accountant by training, he is a decisive, innovative, and results-driven leader.
Tahir Mahmood Mayo
Senior Energy Sector Executive
Tahir Mahmood Mayo is a seasoned energy sector executive with over 35 years of distinguished leadership in power transmission, distribution, and large-scale infrastructure development. He has held senior management roles at leading public utility organizations in Pakistan, including Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) and Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO).
Throughout his career, he has overseen major grid modernization projects, high-voltage transmission expansions, and strategic energy initiatives aimed at strengthening national power infrastructure. His expertise spans corporate governance, regulatory compliance, financial oversight, and international procurement negotiations.
A certified board governance professional and registered engineer, Mr. Mayo brings deep experience in stakeholder coordination, policy alignment, and sustainable energy planning — making him a valuable voice in discussions related to energy diplomacy, infrastructure development, and public-sector leadership.
Syed Shahnoor Al Hassan Gillani
CEO & Director at Global Needs Private Limited
Awais Qarni
Sub-editor
Awais Qarni is a seasoned media professional with an MA in English and over 15 years of experience serving as a Sub-editor for The News International. Based at the Lahore station since 2007, he has developed a robust expertise in editing, writing, and proofreading. He is trilingual, possessing fluency in Urdu, English, and Punjabi, which supports his passion for delivering high-quality editorial work . In his professional portrait, he appears as a distinguished man with grey hair and a neatly groomed mustache, wearing a traditional light-colored Kurta. He is noted for his dedication to content accuracy and his ability to meet professional deadlines efficiently.
Prof. Zain Ul Abdin
Educationist & Entomologist
Prof. Zain Ul Abdin is a distinguished entomologist and academic leader with over 20 years of experience. Currently a Professor at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of Basilicata, Italy, and completed a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship at Florida International University, USA. His research focuses on sustainable insect pest management and functional genomics to enhance global food security. A Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (UK), Prof. Zain has published extensively and mentored hundreds of postgraduate and Ph.D. scholars throughout his career.
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed
Political Scientist & Historian
Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed is a renowned Pakistani-Swedish political scientist and Professor Emeritus at Stockholm University. He is widely recognized for his extensive research on the partition of India and South Asian politics. His award-winning books include The Punjab Bloodied, Partitioned and Cleansed and Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role in History. He also maintains a popular YouTube channel focused on the history of the subcontinent. He is noted for his scholarly dedication to documenting South Asian history and mentoring researchers globally.
Malik Amjad Ali Noon
Politician & Diplomat
Malik Amjad Ali Noon is a prominent Pakistani politician and diplomat from the influential Noon family of Sargodha. At age 34, he became Pakistan’s youngest High Commissioner upon his appointment to Kenya, later serving as Ambassador to Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Uganda. His leadership extends to local government and public administration, having served as the Zila Nazim of Sargodha and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission. He is also recognized for modernizing Lahore’s cleanliness system during his tenure as Chairman of the Lahore Waste Management Company. An alumnus of Aitchison College, he is the son of veteran politician Malik Anwar Ali Noon and a relative of former Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon. He is noted for his versatile contributions to diplomacy, sports administration, and public service.
Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal
Federal Secretary & Media Executive
Ashfaq Ahmad Gondal is a retired high-ranking civil servant who served as the Federal Information Secretary of Pakistan. Throughout his career, he held several key leadership positions, including Director General of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Pakistan) and Principal Information Officer. His work has been instrumental in managing national information policy and public broadcasting infrastructure. He is recognized for his extensive experience in public administration and his contributions to the media and communications landscape in Pakistan. He is noted for his long-standing dedication to the civil service and his role in shaping the country’s information strategy.
Rana Zia Abdul Rehman
Senior Bar Leader & Advocate
Rana Zia Abdul Rehman is a prominent Pakistani lawyer and senior bar leader based in Lahore. He is most widely recognized for his leadership roles within the legal community and his active participation in judicial activism. He served as the President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) in 2015 and remains an influential figure in bar politics as a key member of the “Professional Group” of lawyers. He is known for delivering powerful and emotional speeches at the Lahore High Court, often addressing the independence of the judiciary and the political climate in Pakistan. He has represented high-profile legal matters, including appeals for fellow advocates before the High Court. He is noted for his commitment to legal ethics and his recent involvement in overseeing forensic audits for biometric systems in bar elections.