Alternate Solutions Institute

OUR People

Dr. Raza Ullah

Honorary President

Raza Ullah is Assistant Professor at the Department of Management Sciences, Islamia College University Peshawar and Honorary President of policy research think tank Alternate Solutions Institute. He obtained Ph.D. from the Institute of Management Studies, University of Peshawar, Master in Business and IT and BSc from the University of Peshawar. He is associated with different societies and a member of Quality and Productivity Society of Pakistan, American Institute of Pakistan Studies, System Dynamics MIT USA's Pakistan chapter. Raza is an adjunct research scholar at the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME) Islamabad. He is an alumnus of Atlas Leadership Academy USA and got Think Tank MBA from the same institute in 2015. His research work focuses on participatory organizational practices and application of quality philosophy in decision making. He has authored "Power Sector Reforms: State Incentives or Market Rules" a comparative study on electricity distribution companies, and "Better Policy- Making.” He has an interest in poverty alleviation, protection of property rights, participatory practices in decision making.

Adnan Sohail

Media and Creative Art Director

Adnan Sohail is a creative genius and has diverse work experience in creative arts in different parts of the world. He joined institute as participant of its flagship youth program and now a permanent member of the institute team. He is designer, photographer, creative artist, event manager, a devoted youth activist. He holds master degree in computer science, and trainer with national and international organizations.

Dr. Khalil Ahmad

Senior Research Fellow /Founder

Dr. Khalil Ahmad is a political economist and a political philosopher. He cherishes a cosmopolitan spirit and considers himself a moralist and a rationalist. He founded the first free market think tank in Pakistan, Alternate Solutions Institute. He wrote/published hundreds of articles on the various aspects of political economy of Pakistan, and on a variety of issues.He is author of a number of books that include “Pakistan Mein Riyasati Ashrafiya Ka Urooj”; “Siyasi Partian Ya Siyasi Bandobast”; “Pakistani KashaKash” in Urdu; and “Charter of Liberty” and “Pakistan’s Democratic Impasse” in English.

Dr. Shahid Jan Kakakhel

Director Basic Understanding of Liberty and Free Trade

Dr. Shahid Jan Kakakhel is Chairman and Associate Professor at the Department of Management, Islamia College University Peshawar. He received his MBA from Quaid-E-Azam University Islamabad and completed Post Doctorate from Gatton college of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky, USA. Dr. Shahid Jan Kakakhel served different Universities including Qurtaba University of Science and Technology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Abasyn University Peshawar, CECOS University, NUML and Islamia College Peshawar, City University Peshawar as faculty member and as consulting member on different research Committees and on the editorial board of different research journals. He has supervised 12 PhD scholars, 40 MS scholars and published 60 research articles in the field of CSR, Social Entrepreneurship and Management, his research interest includes international trade, social responsibility, and economic freedom.

Dr. Fayaz Ali Shah

Director Rule of law Projects

Dr. Fayaz Ali Shah is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management Sciences, Islamia College Peshawar. He has more than 10 years’ experience in teaching and research and has published one book and more than 30 research publications in the field of organizational justice, human behavior, and management. Dr. Shah received his first degree in law (LL.B) from the Faculty of Law University of Peshawar and MA in Human Resource Management from Kingston University UK. He has done his PhD in Management with specialization in organizational justice from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He has held lecturing positions at the Liverpool College of Management Sciences, London, UK, City University of Science and IT Peshawar, Pakistan and the University of Malakand, Pakistan. Dr Shah is also a graduate member of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Ukis , and also a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz

Senior Research Fellow (Energy Economics)

Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz is a Professor and in-charge of the Chair at Energy and Sustainable Development (ESD), Montpellier Business School, France, and Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. He was Principal Research Officer at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. He received his PhD in Economics from National College of Business Administration & Economics, Lahore, Pakistan. His research focuses on development economics, energy economics, environmental and tourism economics etc. He has widely published in peer-reviewed international journals. He is among world’s top 10 authors in Economics category as compiled by IDEAS, and among France’s top 3 author in Economics category in France as compiled by IDEAS and among top-5 active researchers in developing countries declared by David Mckenzie (Chief Economists), World Bank. Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz has published papers in Energy Economics, Energy Policy, Journal of Banking & Finance, Economics Modelling, Applied Economics etc.

Faisal Shahzad

Research Fellow

Faisal Shahzad Khan is law graduate from Faculty of Law University of Peshawar with LLM and MA in Political Science from the same institute. He is Assistant Professor and the founding head of the department of Shariah and Law at Islamia College University Peshawar, his research interest is interdisciplinary and has worked on diverse topic including gender based violence, tolerance through education, human rights, and civic sense. He is ardent supporter of women emanicaption, rule of law, democracy and restructuring and reforming certain discriminatory laws in Pakistan. Faisal twice elected president of the Teaching Staff Association of Islamia College Peshawar. He was also elected as the first president of the Pak-US Alumni Network (PUAN) KP-FATA chapter. He embarked research on the marginalized community legal rights and produced research on transgenders with the title “The Implications of Recognition of Eunuchs as Third Gender in the Pakistan Legal Regime.” Faisal is on board with the Higher Education Department (HED) of Khyber Pakhutnkhwa on youth policy through education, tolerance, human and minority rights. He is frequent blogger, and social media users.

Shahid Mehmood

Research Fellow

Shahid Mehmood got his Bachelors and Master’s degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University, USA. Since his return to Pakistan in 2007, he has worked with both the public and the private sector, thereby having a rich experience of both. He has held consultancy and management level jobs at various institutions where he has conducted research on diverse topics that affect Pakistan’s economy. Besides professionally contributing to research upon Pakistan’s economy and economic performance, he is a noted author who has written extensively for leading English newspapers of Pakistan (DAWN, The NEWS, The Friday Times) on issues related to his field. Recently, he authored an extensive paper on Economic Reforms for NUST/GTTN, and also worked on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s Sustainable Development Strategy (2019-2023). At present, he is a freelancer writing for newspapers and working on a research paper on National Finance Commission (NFC).

Board of Advisors​

Dr. Bican Sahin

Bican Sahin is Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences Department of Political Science and Public Administration Hacettepe University Ankara, Turkey. Sahin received PhD in 2003 from the University of Maryland US, his research interests include political philosophy, issues such as democracy and state-civil society relations and the relationship between Islam and Turkey. He writes in Turkish and English newspapers and authors of many books, chapters and research articles published in international journals. Sahin currently heads a policy research think tank Freedom Research Association based in Ankara Turkey.

Wan Saiful Wan Jan

Wan Saiful Wan Jan is the founding member and former Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (www.ideas.org.my). He is Director of the Southeast Asia Network for Development (www.seanetwork.asia), Chairman of the Istanbul Network for Liberty, member of the Advisory Board at Laureate International Malaysia; member Advisory Board of the University of Nottingham’s School of Politics, History and International Relations; a Governor at Rafflesia Education Group; and Chairman of IDEAS Academy, a not for profit learning centre for stateless and refugee children in Kuala Lumpur. In August 2015, he was appointed as a member of the National Consultative Committee on Political Financing, following the Prime Minister’s announcement to set up the group. He lived in the United Kingdom between August 1993 and October 2009. There he served several organizations, including the think tank Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit, the British Conservative Party’s Research Department, and Social Enterprise London. He is now a columnist for The Star, a national newspaper in Malaysia. He also writes for several other national and regional press. His opinion has been quoted by various media, including the BBC, Reuters, Asian Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Al-Jazeera and The Economist.

Zafarullah Khan

Zafarullah Khan is former Executive Director of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) Islamabad Pakistan. He possesses a rich experience spread over three decades in the fields of journalism, parliamentary democracy, civic education, Constitutionalism, and human rights. He has a diverse professional background and served as Executive Director, Centre for Civic Education, Pakistan, (2004-2016); Correspondent Pakistan, Civil Society Yearbook prepared by the Centre for Civil Society, London School of Economics (2000-2006); Lead trainer Political Party Development Program, National Democratic Institute (NDI) (2004-2009); Moderator, International Academy for Leadership, Germany (October 2004- 2006) and Project Coordinator, Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung Pakistan (2000-2004) where he worked in areas of civic education, democratic training, communication skills and human rights. He has worked as Communication consultant with (LEAD-Pakistan). Rockefeller Foundation funded project (1998- 99); Editor, State of Media and Press Freedom Report, Pakistan 1995- 2001. He has also been Bureau Chief of daily The Frontier Post (1991-96). Mr. Khan was awarded M.Sc. Media and Communications from London School of Economics & Political Science, the United Kingdom (1999-2000) He also did M.Phil. in 1989-91 and M Sc in Pakistan Studies in 1987-89 from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad (1989-91). He also served as Editor (Honorary), Citizens Wire (www.citizenswire.com): a web-based features agency on democracy, constitution and public policy issues. He is also Commentator, analyst/freelance contributor for the broadcast and leading print media. He has been an Anchorperson, with Pakistan Television's live current affairs breakfast show from December 2000-August 2002. He has authored numerous publications on federalism, civic education, parliamentary democracy and Constitution. The Senate of Pakistan recently published his book, “Consistent Parliamentary Cord – Fundamental Rights of Citizens of Pakistan,” and a special publication on the Constitution Day on April 12, 2016.

Prof. Dr. Sajid Ali

Professor Dr. Sajid Ali was Professor in the Department of Philosophy, the University of Punjab Pakistan. He joined the Department in 1979 and remained Chairman of the Department from March 15, 2006 to August 24, 2011, he also held Iqbal Chair of Philosophy. He did his BA in 1971 and MA Philosophy in 1973 from Government College, Lahore, and got two Academic Rolls of Honor. He was awarded PhD on writing a dissertation entitled “Metaphysics of Shah Ismail Shaheed”. He wrote many research articles, his research interests are logic, critical rationality, philosophy of social sciences, philosophy of science, Muslim philosophy, and the work of Karl Popper.

Atif Shehzad

Atif Shehzad is a businessman based in Peshawar. He holds MSc in Chemistry from Department of Chemistry, University of Peshawar Pakistan. He taught in the Department of Chemistry, University of Peshawar and then joined his family business in pharmaceuticals, and trade, he further diversified his business to FMCG, import/export and CNG sectors. Currently, he has a distribution network of national and international brands in Peshawar in different portfolios including foods, beverages, cosmetics and household products. His company is the first ATU certified distributor of North region of Pepsi cola International. He is member Pakistan Chemist and Druggist Association, and Peshawar Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Col (r) Anees Sahibzada

Sahibzada Anees is a sound and experienced professional with a diverse military experience of command, staff and instructional appointments. He graduated from Pakistan Military Academy in 1992, and a graduate of School of Infantry and Tactics Quetta, Special Operation School Cherat, and Army High Altitude School Rattu Gilgit Balitistan. Other than military qualification Anees holds master in international relation from University of Peshawar and Master in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar. He remained as Commandant of Al Barq Battle School Okara Punjab, instructor Special Operation School, and Army High Altitude School Rattu Gilgit Baltistan. He also served at UN Peace Keeping Mission during 2003. He worked for the military elite Special Service Group (SSG) Pakistan Army for ten years. Besides, he is also leading an initiative to promote experiential learning in Pakistan and has arranged many outdoor adventure sports and soft skills seminars and workshops. He is member of tourism advisory board Tourism Corporations Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, member of Association of Experiential Education (AEE) USA, member Social Justice Task Force USA, and is core committee member of IM|Volunteer. He is Awarded Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Mil) in 2016, by Government of Pakistan, his special interest is inculcating leadership skills among Pakistani youth through experiential learning. He served as HR Manager in Pepsi Cola, and currently is the head of the Northern region Nayatel IT Company.

Zaka Ullah

Zaka Ullah is a media person with diverse experience in news casting, current affairs, scriptwriting and reporting in different newspapers and TV channels. He holds master degrees in Journalism and Mass Communication, and English Literature. He has also been teaching in different institutes as visiting and permanent faculty member.

Nadeem Alam

Nadeem Alam is a political activist, and philanthropist. He remained member of working group of health reforms committee for the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 2013-18. He worked as member Institution Management Committee (IMC) Hayatabad Medical Complex from 2013-15. Currently, he is serving as Member on the Board of Governors (BoG) Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) since 2018. Besides, his public services, he worked in corporate sector as Country Head St. Jude Medical USA, Distributor of BBraun Germany products, and Sales Manager Boston Scientific USA. He served as Electrophysiology Consultant for St. Jude Medical and supported RF Ablation and ICD implants in all major EP centers of Pakistan including Agha khan hospital Karachi, Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Islamabad, Lady reading hospital Peshawar and other related health institutions. He has been involved in social work and philanthropic activities for the last 20 years in the areas of rehabilitation of drug addicts, tree plantation, blood donations, and relief activities in natural calamities and adverse situations.

Dr Subhan Ullah

Dr Subhan Ullah is Associate Professor in Accounting at Nottingham University Business School. Subhan is a member of the University of Nottingham 'Rights lab' Beacon of Excellence, in the Business and Economies Programme, where he also conducts research on modern slavery in businesses.
Prior to joining Nottingham, he was a Lecturer in Accounting and Programme Director of MSc Accounting and Finance at the University of Hull. He has extensive experience of teaching in several institutions, including, Nottingham Trent University, University of Buckingham, The Open University, COMSATS University (Pakistan), University of Peshawar (Pakistan) and Allied Bank Limited (Training Academy).
Subhan Ullah is a Senior Fellow of HEA and is a member of CPA (Australia). His research in the area of corporate governance appears in leading international journals, namely, British Journal of Management, Annals of Operations Research, International Journal of Finance and Economics, Industrial Marketing Management, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Resources Policy, Research in International Business and Finance, and Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society

Syed Bilal Ahmad Shah

Syed Bilal Ahmad Shah is a seasoned civil servant of Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service. During his career, he has served in various capacities in a multitude of both public and private organizations. With the dynamic academic background in both business and law, he has acquired a unique perspective on problem solving and policy matters. Serving in various leadership positions, he has helped the government in identification of issues related with public sector financial management. He has carried out more than a dozen research projects that involve evidence based writing on areas such as finance, public policy, education, energy, environment, ICT, budget preparation and management. His expertise is well applied in the areas of thematic audit, performance audit and special studies in all strata of society including social and financial sectors.