SHARP’s newly-appointed Project Director (ICT), Mr. Aatif Afzal, had an incredibly eventful first week in his new role, managing a range of high-priority tasks and responsibilities. Below are the highlights of his busy and productive week:
It kicked off with a meeting chaired by CEO Mr. Mudassar Javed, with Field Managers and project leads in attendance. The CEO warmly congratulated Mr. Aatif on his well-deserved promotion, stating that his hard work and dedication have truly paid off. This promotion is a testament to SHARP’s commitment to valuing and rewarding its human resources, especially those who tirelessly contribute to our mission of serving vulnerable communities. Mr. Aatif expressed his gratitude to SHARP’s leadership and colleagues for the warm welcome and vowed to contribute with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
A review and planning meeting for the ALAC project, chaired by Mr. Aatif, was held with FMs from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, and Mianwali, as well as Project Officer Ms. Tayba Hafeez in attendance. Mr. Waseem Rehman, the UNHCR representative, also participated with his typically invaluable insights. The discussions focused on evaluating the current progress of the ALAC project and strategizing future steps to enhance the impact of our services for refugees and asylum seekers. The team is optimistic about the outcomes and committed to driving significant positive change in the lives of those we serve.
Mr. Aatif’s two-day visit to Karachi began with a meeting with the LAPS project team, which included Project Officer Mr. Ilm-ud-Din Rahimoon and all project team members. During the meeting, Mr. Aatif provided a comprehensive briefing on the project’s objectives and progress, while also emphasizing key team-building messages to foster a strong, collaborative spirit among the team members.
A meeting was also held with the UNHCR-supported ALAC and Reception teams in Karachi. Mr. Aatif underscored the importance of team building and reiterated SHARP’s core values: integrity, inclusivity, respect, responsibility, confidentiality and camaraderie. He further emphasized the need to broaden our scope beyond Karachi, extending our efforts across the entire Sindh region to better serve vulnerable communities, especially those most in need.
A review and planning meeting was conducted with the partner’s managers of the LAPS project in Karachi. The discussion thoroughly examined the project implementation strategy, with a particular focus on strengthening the partnership by reviewing the overall project performance. The partner praised SHARP for its practical and impactful efforts and extended their best wishes for continued success in the future.
Last but not the least, a critical meeting was held with the Commissioner for Afghan Refugees (CAR) Sindh, Mr. Hamood-ur-Rahman Mengal, to discuss the protection and legal issues faced by refugees in Sindh. Mr. Aatif, along with FM Ms. Almas Bano, Project Officer Mr. Ilm-ud-Din Rahimoon, and senior lawyers Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain and Mr. Muhammad Ashfaq, engaged in a detailed discussion on enhancing legal protection mechanisms for Afghan refugees. Director CAR Mr. Qaim Din assisted the Commissioner in this meeting, and both sides agreed on the urgent need to implement more coordinated measures to safeguard the rights of refugees in the region.
