The CEJ team works hard to keep the Center running and designing new programs. Our team comprises people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Mr. Jillani brings over 30 years of experience in journalism, having worked with leading international news organizations including the BBC and DW News. Over the course of his career, he has held various editorial and leadership roles in newsrooms across London, Washington, Beirut, and Islamabad.
In addition to his editorial work, Mr. Jillani currently co-hosts Zara Hut Kay, a current affairs program on Dawn News. He has also previously collaborated with CEJ-IBA as a journalism trainer, contributing to media training sessions and capacity-building programs.
Mariam Khan is a Manager at the Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at IBA Karachi. A seasoned communications professional, storyteller, and journalist, her work has appeared in leading publications, including Geo.tv, The News on Sunday, SouthAsia Magazine, Dawn, and HuffPost. She holds an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication and a graduate degree in International Relations from the University of Karachi. She served as Acting Editor at MAG The Weekly, after which she joined IBA’s Marketing and Communications Department, and has now transitioned to her role at CEJ.
At CEJ, Mariam focuses on building strategic partnerships, strengthening the Center’s presence, and supporting initiatives that promote strong, ethical reporting across Pakistan’s media community. She has also volunteered extensively with the United Nations as an online contributor and is passionate about narrative craft and storytelling across global affairs, climate, and culture.
Mr. Taimoor Ahmed has served as Acting Head and also holds the position of Assistant Manager at CEJ. He holds a Masters in Social Sciences from RMIT University Australia, specializing in the School of Global, Urban, and Social Studies. He is also an Australian Qualified Program Manager, bringing extensive experience to his current roles.
Previously, Mr. Ahmed worked at WWF Pakistan as a Senior Officer for Green Businesses, focusing on project development and training in sustainable practices. He also served as a Conservation Officer, contributing to mangroves conservation in the Indus Delta.
Earlier in his career, he fundraised for Australia for UNHCR, advocating for humanitarian causes.
Administration Officer Imran Siddiqui has served as assistant in the testing service department at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, from 2003-2016. He holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the University of Karachi.
Sana Naz is a seasoned finance professional with over a decade of experience in diverse financial roles. Holding a graduate degree, she brings expertise in budgeting, financial implementation, and reporting, with a strong focus on meeting donor requirements. As the Executive Finance Officer at CEJ, Sana plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficient financial management and organizational compliance. Her prior experience at Indus Earth Trust, where she held various finance positions, further solidified her skills and expertise in the field.
Technology Officer Mohammad Ali Baloch has 12 years of broadcast engineering experience, having been associated with Geo News in the past. He holds a BE Degree in Electronics from Dawood Engineering College Karachi. He also holds a degree of LLB from SM Law College, and MBA from Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Karachi. His association with Geo News groomed him in areas such as TV production, morning shows, live news, election transmissions, entertainment programs, and many others. Baloch is a professional engineer affiliated with the Pakistan Engineering Council.
Arbaz Ahmed Janjhi is a Communications Executive at the Centre for Excellence in Journalism at IBA Karachi, bringing over five years of experience in strategic communications, digital media, and public sector engagement. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from SZABIST. His work focuses on strengthening institutional visibility, shaping credible narratives, and supporting informed public discourse.
Previously, he served as Public Relations Lead at The Knowledge Forum, where he led nationwide campaigns on just energy transition and coal phase out and produced a video series on electricity access in marginalized communities. He also worked as a Digital Media Analyst with the Information Department Government of Sindh, monitoring digital platforms, analyzing online trends, and supporting fact checking and real time response strategies during the 2024 General Elections. His expertise spans campaign design, data informed media analysis, and strategic digital communications.
Shariq Amirali serves as a Project Coordinator at the Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ), IBA Karachi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts with a major in Psychology from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi. Prior to joining CEJ, Shariq worked as a Senior SEO Content Marketing Specialist at Logicose, where he managed and delivered content for projects across international markets, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Europe. His work spanned website content, digital campaigns, social media strategy, and research-driven writing, consistently meeting high performance benchmarks.
Tasmia serves as a Program Officer at IBA-CEJ. She is a Development Practitioner and a graduate of the NED University of Engineering and Technology. Her academic training, complemented by a strong research background, has cultivated an interdisciplinary perspective. She has experience in research design, data analysis, and synthesizing findings to inform evidence-based insights.
Previously, she worked at Oxford University Press Pakistan, where she contributed to research initiatives, transforming data into actionable insights. In addition, she worked closely with the management team of the 16th Karachi Literature Festival, supporting the coordination and strategic execution of the event.