Professional Experience:
Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work in roles ranging from field engineer and project manager to researcher, policy advisor, director and deputy minister. This journey has given me a practical understanding of development at every level—from working with rural communities to shaping national policies and representing Afghanistan in regional and international cooperation.
Most of my career has focused on water resources, irrigation, agriculture, rural development and institutional reform. I have worked with governments, development partners and local communities to design and implement programmes that improve livelihoods while strengthening the institutions responsible for delivering long-term results. Along the way, I came to believe that successful development is not only about building infrastructure or completing projects, but about creating systems and institutions that continue serving people long after a project has ended.
As Deputy Minister for Water Resources and later Deputy Minister for Irrigation and Natural Resources, I led national initiatives to improve water governance, institutional performance and strategic planning. I contributed to the development of Afghanistan's National Water and Irrigation Programme (NPP-1), led the preparation of the National Irrigation Policy and Afghanistan's first Transboundary Water Policy, and served as Afghanistan's Chief Negotiator during technical dialogue with Iran on shared water resources.
Earlier in my career, I managed the World Bank-funded On-Farm Water Management Programme, where I helped improve programme performance by strengthening planning, coordination and management systems. I also led a nationwide drought relief programme that expanded access to safe drinking water and sanitation for thousands of rural communities across Afghanistan.
In recent years, I have continued supporting international development as a consultant, contributing to assignments in agriculture, WASH and institutional development. Throughout my career, I have worked with organizations including the World Bank, ADB, USAID, JICA, FAO, DFID/FCDO, SDC and CIDA.
Looking back, I believe my greatest contribution has been helping governments build stronger institutions that can deliver sustainable development long after individual projects have been completed. That continues to guide my work today.