About Youth IGF Pakistan
Youth Internet Governance Forum (YIGF) Pakistan is a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering young people in Pakistan with the knowledge and skills needed to engage in the evolving landscape of Internet governance. Our mission is to foster an inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance by providing a space for youth to voice their perspectives, contribute to policy discussions, and collaborate on solutions that address the digital challenges of today and tomorrow.
Our Vision
"To empower the youth of Pakistan to become leaders in shaping a safe, inclusive, and innovative digital future, where every young voice contributes to the global internet governance community."
Our Mission
At Youth IGF Pakistan, our mission is to empower and engage young people in the discourse of Internet governance. We strive to create a platform where youth can:
- Educate young individuals on the critical issues of digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and internet governance.
- Empower youth to take leadership roles and drive meaningful change in both national and international digital policies.
- Engage ctively with global and regional internet governance forums to ensure Pakistan’s youth are contributing to shaping the future of the internet.
Through our programs and initiatives, we aim to inspire the next generation of leaders who will contribute to a more inclusive, safe, and innovative digital world.
Founding Members
Mr. M. Umair Ali
Muhammad Umair Ali is a young IT project management professional with a strong passion for tech and digital policy. He served as Pakistan's youth envoy under the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Generation Connect Program and was part of the ITU Youth delegation to the Global Youth Summit in 2022. Umair was also selected as one of only six global content creators to attend the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest, Romania.
An avid internet governance enthusiast, Umair is the co-founder of the Pakistan Youth Internet Governance Forum. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of NetMission.asia and the Board of Directors of Internet Society’s Online Safety Special Interest Group (SIG). He has also been selected as a NextGen participant for ICANN 75, which he attended in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Umair is dedicated to guiding young people in actively participating in the digital policy space and fostering their engagement in global internet governance initiatives.
Ms. Harisa Shahid
Harisa Shahid is an Electrical Engineering graduate from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore and a dedicated advocate for a safer, more inclusive internet. Currently working as an Information Security Engineer at Strategic Systems International, she applies her technical expertise to advance internet governance and digital inclusion. Harisa's involvement in internet governance began in 2022 with NetMission.asia, where she completed the NetMission Academy fellowship and later served as an organizing committee member for the NetMission Academy 2024 cohort. Her international experience includes serving as a the session facilitator at the Asia Pacific Internet Governance Academy (APIGA) 2023 in Seoul, South Korea, and being a fully funded fellow at the Middle Eastern and Adjoining Countries School on Internet Governance (MEAC-SIG) 2023 in Muscat, Oman.
She led the first-ever local hubs for the Asia Pacific Youth IGF (yIGF.asia) in Pakistan, marking a significant step for local youth engagement.She’s an active policy analyst with Asia Pacific Policy Observatory Group (APPO) and the ICANN APRALO Study Group. Harisa is advancing her learning journey with Digital Leap South Asia Program (DLSA) by the APNIC Foundation and has participated as a fellow at the 58th Asia Pacific Advanced Networks (APAN) Meeting. She has also been selected as a Next Generation Fellow for ICANN 81 going to take place in Istanbul, Turkey.
As co-founder of Youth IGF Pakistan, Harisa is motivated to play a pivotal role in expanding youth participation in global internet governance discussions. She is passionate about fostering collaboration with youth-led organizations and government bodies to create a sustainable internet governance ecosystem in Pakistan. She is also committed to mentoring young individuals, helping them develop skills in internet governance and empowering them to become future leaders in the field. Her dedication to digital inclusion and cybersecurity continues to make her a valuable contributor to both Youth IGF Pakistan and the broader internet governance community.
Mr. Qasim Pirzada
Qasim Pirzada is one of the early founding members and dynamic contributor to the Youth IGF Pakistan, where he plays a pivotal role in advancing discussions around Internet governance and digital inclusion. He is a lawyer by trade and with a strong background in youth advocacy, Qasim is dedicated to empowering young people to take part in shaping the digital future. His work focuses on creating opportunities for youth to understand the complexities of the Internet’s regulatory frameworks and fostering their participation in global conversations on digital rights, privacy, and online freedoms.
Qasim Pirzada has been involved in organizing events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about critical issues such as cybersecurity, digital literacy, and the role of youth in Internet governance. He believes that empowering young people with the right knowledge and tools is essential for building an equitable and inclusive digital society. His efforts ensure that youth have a voice in important decision-making processes, contributing to policies that reflect the diverse needs of Pakistan's digital landscape.
Qasim’s passion for bridging the digital divide is evident in his commitment to grassroots initiatives that bring Internet governance issues closer to communities that are often overlooked. Through his work at Youth IGF Pakistan, he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of digital leaders, ensuring they are equipped to navigate and influence the rapidly evolving world of technology and policy. He has been attending the Global IGF meetings since 2020.