THR Panel
Mirza M. Abeer Ullah Nadeem
( CEO ASAP )
Mirza M. Abeer, LLB (Hons) – University of London, is a leading public health advocate and a pioneering figure in Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) in Pakistan. With a deep commitment to reducing the national health burden caused by combustible tobacco, he has spent years driving grassroots and organizational change to provide adult smokers with safer, sustainable alternatives.
Currently operating under the non-profit framework of the Association for Smoking Alternatives Pakistan, Mirza spearheads nationwide advocacy efforts. His work focuses on destigmatizing smoking cessation tools, educating the public on harm reduction science, and pushing for sensible, evidence-based policy frameworks in a region where combustible tobacco use remains critically high.
Before formalizing his NPO, Mirza was the catalyst for the vaping and THR movement in Pakistan. Recognizing a severe lack of information and support for smokers trying to quit, he founded the country’s very first online community for vaping on Facebook and helped popularize alternatives in Pakistan as a means to stop smoking. Through his community management and educational efforts, this group rapidly expanded to become the largest of its kind in Pakistan. It served as a vital support network, helping thousands of adult smokers transition away from combustible cigarettes by fostering peer-to-peer education, sharing scientific studies, and advocating for product safety standards.
Anwar Kashif Mumtaz
( Lawyer / Economist )
Anwar Kashif Mumtaz is a Tax and Corporate Lawyer, advising multinational companies and blue-chip corporations on tax and corporate matters, and serving as the National Convener for Taxpayers Alliance Pakistan (TPAP). He has served as President of the Pakistan Tax Bar Association (PTBA), as well as Secretary General and Senior Vice President of PTBA. He also served as Secretary General, Vice President, and President of the Karachi Tax Bar Association (KTBA). In addition, he has served as Chairman of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Committee on Direct Taxes. He was appointed by the World Bank as a Consultant on the Enforcing Contracts Indicator for the Ease of Doing Business project. He has also served as an Advisory Board Member of the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan (PILAP) and as a Member of the Business Integrity Champions Network of the British Deputy High Commission. He has presented papers on tax and corporate matters, including Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), International Business Best Practices, and the Right to Information (RTI). He hosted a dedicated taxation program on Aaj News titled “Tax Aur Aap” and has appeared as a tax expert on various television channels, including PTV, Aaj News, Business Plus, ARY, GNN, SAMAA, and Geo News.
He is a CEDR (UK) Accredited Mediator and Master Trainer who has conducted numerous mediation, training, and accreditation courses. He is the Founding President of the Pakistan Mediators Association (PMA) and is also a Level One Mediator with the Sage Mediation Institute for Leadership Education (Singapore). He currently serves as a member of the Steering and Technical Committees of the Asia-Oceania Tax Consultants’ Association (AOTCA).
He is a Certified International Trainer in Leadership and Personal Development and has been actively associated with Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs. During his tenure with JCI, he served as Vice President and Executive Vice President. He has represented Pakistan at various international conferences, including the JCI–United Nations Summit in 2004. In 2005, he was a member of the Prime Minister’s business delegation to China and played an instrumental role in facilitating the largest medical donation to Pakistan. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with an Award of Recognition by the President of Pakistan in 2000.
Dr. Aftab Ahmed Khan
( Family Physician & Public Health Expert )
Dr. Aftab Ahmed Khan is a seasoned healthcare professional and public health expert with a diverse background spanning clinical medicine, public health, medical regulation, and healthcare management. Holding qualifications including MBBS, MPH, MBA, and CRCP, he has built a strong reputation as a consultant family physician and regulatory affairs specialist, with extensive involvement in healthcare advocacy and awareness initiatives in Pakistan.
Beyond his clinical and professional contributions, Dr. Khan is actively engaged in public health education and community outreach, particularly in areas related to disease prevention, diabetes awareness, and preventive healthcare. He has also served in leadership roles within professional healthcare platforms, including as President of PHP Karachi, where he has contributed to seminars, awareness campaigns, and collaborative healthcare initiatives aimed at promoting public well-being and medical education.
Prof. Dr. M. Faisal Memon
( Cardiologist )
Prof. Dr. M. Faisal Memon is a Karachi-based consultant cardiologist with qualifications including MBBS, MD (Cardiology), FACP, and a Diploma in Cardiology. With more than three decades of experience in cardiovascular care, he is recognized for his expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and vascular diseases. His areas of interest include coronary artery disease, angina, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart diseases, peripheral vascular disease, aortic disorders, endocarditis, pericardial diseases, cardiac screening, and exercise tolerance testing (ETT).
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Memon has actively contributed to medical education through numerous Continuing Medical Education (CME) initiatives, collaborations with healthcare organizations, and participation in medical podcasts. He is a member of the Pakistan Cardiac Society and the Interventional Society, reflecting his continued commitment to advancing cardiovascular medicine and improving patient outcomes.
Kashif Hussain
( Senior Media Professional )
Mr. Kashif Hussain has nearly 23 years of diverse experience in journalism. He joined the Express Media Group in 2005 and is currently serving as a business reporter for Express News, Express Tribune, and Daily Express, one of Pakistan’s most widely circulated Urdu and English media platforms. He covers economy and finance, technology, digitization, and issues related to illicit trade and public policy.
As a business and financial journalist, Mr. Kashif Hussain closely examines the economic impact of illicit trade, particularly its implications for government revenue and public health. He has extensively reported on smoking cessation, Tobacco Harm Reduction, and smoke-free alternatives, with a strong focus on the healthcare and economic burden caused by smoking-related diseases. Through his work, he highlights efforts aimed at protecting public health and reducing the financial strain that smoking-induced health complications place on individuals as well as government healthcare systems.