Truth. Transformation. Tolerance.
I build platforms and communications systems for people and stories that don't usually get one.
The Origin Story
When Operation Zarb-e-Azb launched in June 2014, I was studying for my MSc in Journalism & Mass Communication at NUML Islamabad. I made the conscious decision to deploy to Bannu — where tens of thousands of displaced families were arriving from North Waziristan — instead of sitting my final examinations.
I completed the coursework, but I never received the degree. That decision defined my career: choose the story over the credential. Choose human impact over institutional validation. This field reporting directly led to my selection for the U.S. Department of State's IVLP in 2015.
Values Foundation
1. Truth
Truth as a discipline: verifiable facts, honest communication, no fabricated data, no inflated claims. Applied equally in editorial governance and web systems.
2. Transformation
Specific, measurable change at human scale: a journalist who can protect vulnerable sources, an organisation whose website actually achieves its mission.
3. Tolerance
Progressive humanism rooted in lived experience: anti-extremism, feminist, pro-democracy, pro-secularism, and uncompromising commitment to digital rights.
Fellowships & Landmarks
- International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)2015 · U.S. Department of State
Selected for "IT & Communications in the U.S." traveling to Washington D.C., New York (U.S. Mission to the UN), Florida, and California.
- Media Fellowship2025 · NCSW, NCRC & UNICEF Pakistan
Fellowship covering child rights, gender equality, and social reporting frameworks.
- Citizen Journalism Residency2017 · IBA-CEJ & U.S. Mission Pakistan
Advanced investigative methods and digital community news reporting.
- Data Journalism Bootcamp2016-2017 · Internews (Pakistan & Nepal)
Data verification, scraping, evidence analysis, and digital investigative storytelling.
Career Arc
- Founder & Creative Lead, The Dotani DigitalDec 2021 - Present
Solo freelance consultancy offering web architecture, editorial systems, brand strategy, and digital campaigns. 50+ websites delivered.
- Founder & Managing Editor, Aware PakistanMar 2020 - Present
Non-commercial publishing platform for social justice. Built complete editorial governance framework from scratch. 150+ writers network.
- Digital Platforms Manager, Tribal News Network (TNN)Aug 2017 - Sep 2021
Bilingual (Pashto/English) digital news operations. Redesigned news platforms for mobile speed; trained 5-person web editing team.
- Digital Communications Manager, Glowmax InternationalSep 2018 - Sep 2021
Led digital communications strategy for provincial government initiatives. Improved ROI by 1.8x across 20+ digital campaigns.
- Founder & Project Lead, Tribal PostMar 2013 - Mar 2019
Independent digital news outlet covering the Pak-Afghan border. Trained 30+ young journalists from tribal communities; recipient of Internews Small Media Grant (2017).
- Broadcaster, Host & Producer, Suno FM 89.4Jun 2010 - Jul 2017
Produced and hosted 500+ live programmes and conducted 100-150 on-air interviews across current affairs, human rights, and culture.
Working Principles
- Build systems, not dependencies. Clients and newsrooms should be able to run their own infrastructure after handoff.
- Price for sustainability, not maximisation. Charge enough to keep the practice independent, ethical, and uncompromised.
- Share what's known. Free digital safety training, open resources, and sustained mentorship for underserved communities.