Pakistan’s Young Humanitarian Gaining International Recognition in Global Rescue Networks

At a time when humanitarian emergencies are becoming more frequent and increasingly complex, Pakistan has produced a young responder whose work is gaining attention well beyond national borders. Ali Sohaib, a 27 year old professional rescuer, has steadily emerged as a recognised figure within international humanitarian circles, with his work placing him among the youngest professional responders operating at a global level.

Ali’s story is shaped less by formal titles and more by consistent action. Over recent years, he has responded to more than one hundred emergency incidents, operating in environments affected by road accidents, floods, fires and other natural and human made crises. In a country where emergency response resources are often under pressure, his presence has frequently provided immediate assistance during the critical first moments of an incident.

What distinguishes Ali on the international stage is the depth and breadth of his professional training. He holds more than fifty international certifications acquired through demanding programmes run by globally recognised humanitarian organisations, including the IFRC, ICRC, Red Cross, PRCS and IHH. These qualifications reflect not only technical proficiency but also a strong grounding in humanitarian ethics, coordination and disaster response principles.

Alongside field experience, Ali has pursued academic development that complements his operational work. As an MPhil scholar in Social Work at the University of Karachi, he applies research based perspectives to emergency response and community resilience. This combination of academic insight and frontline exposure allows him to approach crises with both urgency and structured planning, supporting responses that are effective and sustainable.

Training and capacity building have become central to his work. Ali has personally delivered first aid, basic life support and emergency preparedness training to more than fifteen hundred students and community members. Through collaborative initiatives with partner organisations, this number extends to nearly five thousand individuals trained. These efforts contribute to a wider culture of preparedness, where knowledge spreads beyond individual responders to entire communities.

In 2022, Ali represented Pakistan at the IFRC General Assembly in Geneva, joining experienced humanitarian professionals from around the world. https://www.ifrc.org/

That same year, his services were formally acknowledged at the national level by the former President of Pakistan. Dr. Arif Alvi observes that such recognition has reinforced his commitment to maintaining professional standards aligned with international humanitarian practice. and invited him to the presidential residency, Islamabad. https://www.app.com.pk/national/president-meets-prcs-volunteer/

More recently, Ali has focused on long term impact by establishing The Bridge for Resilience, Empowerment and Development Organization, known as BREDO. The organisation prioritises disaster risk reduction and preparedness, areas of pressing importance in Pakistan. Each year, an estimated twenty to twenty five thousand people lose their lives in traffic accidents, while floods, heatwaves and earthquakes continue to claim lives and livelihoods.

The creation of an organisation centred on prevention rather than reaction is widely viewed as a timely intervention. Ali’s operational background and training have shaped BREDO’s focus on reducing avoidable loss through education, planning and early response capacity. For those working alongside him, the initiative reflects a belief that meaningful reductions in disaster related harm are achievable.

A former Scout, Ali credits early exposure to discipline, teamwork and service for shaping his approach to leadership. Colleagues describe him as calm under pressure, methodical in preparation and steady in the field, qualities that define effective rescue leadership globally.

As international humanitarian networks increasingly highlight young professionals who combine skill with sustained service, Ali Sohaib’s profile continues to grow. His work reflects not only personal commitment, but also the broader potential of Pakistan’s emerging generation of trained civilian responders.