The Human Development Foundation (HDF) is a non-profit dedicated to empowering communities in Pakistan. Since 1997, we’ve tackled poverty through programs in education, health, economic growth, environment, and social development, helping people build lives of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
At HDF, we go beyond aid to create lasting change. Through programs in education, health, economic growth, environment and social development, we empower communities to rise above poverty, ensuring that children learn, families thrive and generations flourish. We believe lasting transformation begins when people are empowered from within.
Founded by Pakistani expatriates in 1997, HDF set out to empower rural communities in Pakistan. With a vision of every child in school, healthcare for all, clean water and self-sustaining communities, HDF works to break the cycle of poverty and restore dignity.
At HDF, every act of kindness creates a ripple of hope. Your support brings education, healthcare, clean water and opportunities for communities to thrive. By donating, sponsoring, volunteering or partnering, you join a movement transforming lives across Pakistan, turning compassion into action and hope into reality.
We honor the timeless legacy of our co-founder and Founding Chairman, Dr. Muhammad Khalid Riaz (1938–2025). ​A highly distinguished cardiologist in Chicago and a globally respected humanitarian, he was a true visionary leader. ​Driven by profound compassion, he established HDF in 1997, creating an organization blessed with the mission to uplift marginalized communities.​ His foundational commitment to service, human dignity, and empowerment remains the guiding light for our mission's hopeful future.
Dr. Muhammad Khalid Riaz (Late)
Founding Chairman HDF
The organization's leadership reflects a blend of professional expertise and personal commitment to humanitarian causes. The current Board of Directors leadership structure includes the following members :
Chairman, Board of Directors
Lt. Gen (r) Abbasi is Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chair of HDF’s Executive Committee. He enjoyed a 36-year distinguished military career holding multiple senior appointments including Chief of Logistics Staff (CLS) and Commander Corps. He was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz Military (HiM) – the highest honor awarded to military officers by the Government of Pakistan. He served as Chief Executive and Managing Director of Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL).
Member, Board of Directors
Dr. Tariq Khan has a vast experience of more than 35 years in the medical profession. He served as a General Surgeon at Buffalo General...
Dr. Atiya Khan is a founding member of HDF, Pakistan. American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) awarded her as top pediatrician (2012-2018). She serves as a...
Mr. Faisal Riaz is Managing Director of October Holdings Limited and Director of NileCo Global Limited and Shifa Development Services. He is a consultant and...
Air Marshal (r) Riazuddin Shaikh was Chairman of Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA) and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Resource & Skill Development...
Dr. Farrukh Seir has served Pakistan Army as Deputy Surgeon General and has had the honor of serving as caretaker minister of health and higher...
Mr. Rashid Ibrahim is a senior partner of Septentrio Global Consulting. He was Country Tax Leader of A.F. Ferguson & Co and remained Vice President...
Mr. Shoukat is a senior executive and certified six sigma practitioner with over 20 years of experience. He possesses senior-level knowledge in steering/directing large-scale projects,...
Arshed Hussain Bhatti is a seasoned development leader with over two decades of experience across Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Canada, specializing in governance, public...
Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Samman Islam is a seasoned development and finance leader with over 12 years of experience across the nonprofit and international development sectors. As CEO...