In August 2025, you were recognized by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) with their Engineers’ Excellence Award – 2023 (Engineering Policy, Regulations and Advocacy). What does this award mean for you?

I believe that this award validates the work I’ve done over the years in engineering, shaping regulatory frameworks, promoting ethical standards, and bridging the gap between policy and implementation. What makes this recognition more significant is that it highlights my role as a woman leading projects of national importance in a sector that has traditionally been male dominated.

On a more personal level, it’s been a moment for reflection and gratitude. I would not be receiving this recognition without the collective effort of teams I have been fortunate enough to lead and be part of, or the generosity of those who offered their guidance and support along the way. The award inspires me to continue working with integrity and purpose.

The PEC’s Engineers’ Excellence Awards recognize the “efforts and outstanding contributions” made by engineering professionals in their field. What are some of the efforts and outstanding contributions that the PEC is recognizing with your award?

Throughout my career and often as the only woman engineer on site, I have contributed to the successful planning and execution of technically complex megaprojects, including dams, motorways, grid stations, and high-end luxury residential developments. My focus on efficient dispute resolution has helped prevent delays, cost overruns, and waste on multiple projects, promoting long-term project viability and resource efficiency.

I have applied a combination of civil engineering and legal knowledge to bring innovative solutions to the construction industry, particularly in the areas of construction law and arbitration. I have also played a role in strengthening dialogue between engineering professionals and regulatory bodies, helping ensure that policy evolves in line with conditions on the ground.

In addition, I have shared my knowledge and experience through webinars and professional engagements, including collaborations with globally recognized bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). These platforms allowed me to promote professional development, legal literacy in construction, and international best practices to enhance professional standards across the engineering sector in Pakistan.

As Hill’s country manager for Pakistan, what is your perspective on the region’s construction markets? Where do you see opportunities for our continued growth?

With needs in energy, transportation, water resources, and urban development, Pakistan has high potential for growth. As public and private entities work to meet these needs with climate-resilient urban planning and smart infrastructure projects, they will require trusted project management partners that offer technical expertise of the highest global caliber, as well as a deep understanding of local context. Hill is uniquely qualified to fill that role.

We have built a solid reputation in Pakistan because of our expertise in program and project management, risk mitigation, and claims resolution. Our professionalism and integrity have earned us the trust of many public and private stakeholders in the country. By participating in various professional and regulatory forums, we’ve also enhanced our visibility, solidified our relationship with the region’s key professional organizations, and affirmed Hill’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development goals.

What are some of the key challenges and risks that our clients face in Pakistan today? What tools does Hill have to help clients overcome these challenges and mitigate these risks? 

Owners in Pakistan face challenges related to regulatory delays and evolving compliance requirements, funding constraints, cost overruns and schedule slippage, and limited access to qualified project management expertise.

Hill can add significant value in each of these areas. Our professionals take a proactive risk management approach, identifying and mitigating cost and schedule risks early in project planning. We also work with our clients to customize transparent project controls. With regular reporting and user-friendly reports, we provide owners with actionable and timely data on their projects’ schedule, budget, and quality performance. We also apply international best practices and standards to our work. By aligning those practices and standards with local regulations, we help ensure high-quality project management and high-quality projects.

I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to implement these tools and help owners overcome challenges, mitigate risk, and deliver smart, sustainable infrastructure across the country.