Dr. Faryal Leghari

 Post-doctoral researcher with broad-ranging expertise in diplomatic studies, political and security research, policy writing, able to work both independently and as a supportive team member.

• Expert in diplomatic practice, negotiation, mediation and emphatic interviewing.
• Extensive experience of over ten years working internationally in varied roles in research, editorial and investigative journalism, communications, media and as a project leader.

• Thrives on challenges and spearheading learning and education, human security and development projects aimed to improve people's lives

• Equally confident in leadership roles and collaborative teamwork, having effectively organized and participated in research, seminars and international conferences and worked with government bodies and international organizations.

Education

• DPhil in Political Geography | The University of Oxford | October 2019 - August 2024
• MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies | The University of Oxford | 2015 – 2017
• Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies - Foreign Service Programme | The University of Oxford | 2014 - 2015
• MA in International Conflict Analysis | The University of Kent | 2004-2005
• MA in English Literature and Language | Kinnaird College for Women, University of Punjab | 1994-1996

Experience

• Deputy Editor Opinion - Gulf News - UAE - 2012-2014
• Freelance Risk Analyst and Consultant - Control Risks - London/Dubai -2007-2014
• Assistant Editor Opinion - Khaleej Times – UAE - 2009- May 2012
• Researcher, Security & Terrorism & Program Moderator South Asia + Gulf Research Center - UAE - 2005- 2008

Languages

• Fluent in English, Urdu, Pashto, Seraiki
• Moderate knowledge of Persian
• Basic knowledge of Arabic.

Outputs

Research Papers and Policy Work

• Faryal Leghari holds a distinguished postgraduate diploma in Diplomatic Practice, part of the Foreign Service Programme at the University of Oxford in 2015, a course designed for mid-career diplomats and heads of states.
• Faryal earned a distinction in International Law while studying diplomacy. She was asked to head several workshops on mediation and negotiation and excelled in fielding Hard Talk level interviews as part of the diplomatic skills training.
• Faryal’s expertise in mediation and negotiation is not just, theoretical but comes from practical immersion in Track-II talks on nuclear diplomacy and participation in strategic seminars and conferences during her time as a security expert and researcher at the Gulf Research Center in the UAE (2005-2008).
• Faryal researched and wrote a proposal for the Policy Planning Office of the German Foreign Office for Development Projects in Pakistan - including a security assessment.
• During her MPhil in Modern South Asian Studies at Oxford (2015-2017), Faryal excelled in courses on Hindu Nationalism. Indian Politics: Sufism Resurgence in Pakistan and the Rise of Islamist Movements in South Asia. Here too, she earned distinctions in course modules.
• Faryal’s doctoral thesis focuses on Pakistan's challenges in its Western borderlands and

the impact of international geopolitics, conflict and displacements on borderland communities, particularly women.

• Her research and work on soft security issues, suicide bombings, refugees, gender challenges and international relations during her employment and subsequently higher studies lends her an added advantage to work on diverse-platforms.
• Faryal’s desire to project Pakistan positively were the driving force behind her self- initiated investigative research and journalistic projects. These are publicly documented and achieved foregrounding Pakistan's security establishment’s commendable efforts in countering terrorism and radicalization internationally.
• Faryal's extensive experience and education makes her an ideal candidate to represent Pakistan globally as a progressive, inclusive state that adheres to its founding Islamic principles while trading education, modernity and development. A state that encourages its women to stand tall in the national and international arena and fulfill Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s goals for Pakistan.

 Conferences and Talks

• Gave a talk and presented a paper on the implications of US Policy for Pakistan and the Afghan security doctrine at the China Institute for Contemporary international Relations, CICIR in Beijing in June 2010.
• Participated in the Berlin Round Table Conference on developing a joint EU-GCC fund for FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan) in May 2008, organized by the World Security Network.
• Coordinated and held the first workshop in Pakistan focusing on Pakistan-Gulf Strategic Relations, between GRC and ISSI in Islamabad in March 2007.

Publications

• Dr Faryal has recently completed a book based on her doctoral thesis for Routledge.
• Edited and authored two books, Gulf-Pakistan Strategic Relations and Narcotics and

Human Trafficking to the GCC-States.

• Published an article in Yale Global online titled ‘The Arab Connection to the

Chechen Conflict’, httw://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=7144

• Co-authored a paper on ‘Need for Gulf Maritime Cooperation for Stimson Centre: Toward a Comprehensive Maritime Security Arrangement’.
• Wrote a paper titled, ‘Pakistan-Gulf Ties: The Strategic Aspects of Critical Relationship’ in Orient, Deutsche Orient institute, January 2009.
• Authored a research paper titled, ‘Dealing with FATA: Strategic Shortfalls and Recommendations,’ for Perspectives on Terrorism, Volume II, Issue 10, 2008.
• Have published several articles on security, economic and political issues related to Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Gulf States in key regional newspapers including Gulf News, Khaleej) Times, Arab News, Daily Star, The Peninsula, & Bahrain Tribune, Ashraq al Aswat, Al Khaleej, The News International Pakistan, The Express Tribune among others.

Interviews

• Former ISAF Commander Afghanistan, General John Allen
• NATO Senior Civilian Representative to Afghanistan, Sir Simon Gass
• Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin
• Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan
• Former Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf
• Pakistan's former ISPR Director Generals, Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar, Major

General Asim Bajwa,  Major General Athar Abbas.

• Late Pakistani Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz
• Former Pakistani Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ahmad Khan
• Pakistani woman activist Mukhtaran Mai
• Former Afghan Ambassador to the UAE, Mr. Farid Zikria
• Several Pakistani diplomats

Interests and Voluntary Work

• Documentary making: (2021-2022) made a film while doing research on displaced population in Waziristan; (2013) Produced a documentary on post-military operations in

(former) FATA, Pakistan focusing on deradicalization, rehabilitation and implementation of counter-terrorism policies.

• Creative fictional and non-fiction writing: novels, short stories, and poetry
• Women healthcare and empowerment work: initiated and facilitated women healthcare and empowerment projects in rural Southern Punjab and Baluchistan.
• Girls Education: Assisted in the setting up of New Vision School, an educational and vocational project aimed to provide premium IT, primary and secondary level English medium education to underprivileged children, especially girls in District Dera Ghazi Khan in Southern Punjab, Pakistan.
• Taught underprivileged girls at secondary level on voluntary basis in rural Punjab and Baluchistan.
• Sports: Horse riding and polo: awarded the ‘Best Female Polo Player of Pakistan 2003’.