Zaheer Iqbal

Prior to joining the MEI, Zaheer was Cultural Advisor for a Department of Defense’s mission in Pakistan. In 2011, he worked as Assistant Director, Planning & Development and Lecturer in English at Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan. In 2009, he worked for the US Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) as Program Officer where he managed Fulbright andHumphrey programs in collaboration with USAID and HEC (Higher Education Commission of Pakistan). In 2005, he taught English literature atthe University of Peshawar, Pakistan. The following year, in 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Fulbright FLTA (Foreign Language Teaching Assistant) at the University of Texas at Austin where he taught Urdu, and studied for an academic year.Zaheer is fluent in a number of Middle Eastern and South Asian languages. He is a native speaker of Urdu and Pashto and is fluent in Persian/Dari. He speaks Arabic, Hindi and has a good understanding of Punjabi, Sindhi and Hindko. Currently, he is learning Spanish. He translated five comic books on the subjects of anti-extremism, education, and women’s rights in Pakistan. He also helped with the conception and translation of a Pakistani TV show “Khuda Zameen Se Gaya Nahi”. He also produced radio dramas and talk shows related to anti-extremism in Urdu andPashto. Beside languages, Zaheer’s area of interest is South Asian politics, conflicts and media. He likes to watch and play cricket. He enjoys cooking, reading, listening to Sufi music and spending time in the mountains.