woman work
Armed with an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, and 22 years of experience in commercial and investment banking, Naila Masood is a banker by profession but a philanthropist at heart. She has been involved in numerous welfare and social development projects. Taking personal initiative, she developed the concept of ‘No-Cost Development’, through which she has galvanised support and revived business entities from redundancy. For example, the Sindh Coastal Development Authority (SCDA) has been revived, and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is now working on a public-private partnership deal for this organisation.
Masood has been an active member of the Rotary Club Karachi for 20 years. Recently, she was elected as the new female president of the Rotary Club Karachi. In a candid interview, Masood shares her journey and highlights some of the club’s key projects. Read on…
How do you feel about becoming the female president of the Rotary Club of Karachi?
It is an honour for me to lead the club for the 2025–2026 term (July 2025 – June 2026). Rotary has long supported women in all walks of life, and my selection as president is a testament to its inclusive and progressive values.
What are some of the aims and objectives of Rotary Club of Karachi?
Rotary is a global organisation of business and professional leaders dedicated to providing humanitarian service. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries. Over nearly 105 years, Rotary has grown from a small club of just four members into a worldwide network of men and women who share a common vision for a better world.
There are at least three Rotary Clubs in Karachi: Rotary Club of Karachi, Rotary Club Karachi Platinum, and Rotary Club Karachi New Central. The Rotary Club of Karachi itself was established nearly a century ago, in 1933, and is the oldest and largest Rotary club in the country.
The aims and objectives of the Rotary Club of Karachi are fully aligned with those of its parent organisation, Rotary International. The club works to promote peace, fight diseases, provide clean water, save mothers and children, support education, grow local economies, and protect the environment.
What are your current areas of focus?
My team and I intend to continue working on our various ongoing projects and build upon the synergy among them. These projects include polio eradication, artificial limb installation, water and sanitation, mental health awareness, literacy initiatives, and breast cancer awareness.
In addition, I plan to initiate and focus on new projects such as skills development, a microfinance initiative, and environmental efforts including mangrove plantation, expanded literacy programmes, and cochlear implant support.
It is important to note that all ongoing and future projects of our club are offered completely free of cost to the beneficiaries.
Can you highlight some of the most defining projects of your club?
Our Artificial Limbs Project has benefited over 34,000 people so far. Our Breast Cancer Awareness Project has reached more than 1,700 women through awareness talks and has screened over 700 women. Nearly 3,000 individuals have received treatment through our Mental Health Transformation Project, which has conducted more than 3,700 therapy sessions. Additionally, our Dialysis Project, in collaboration with MMI Hospital, has carried out over 70,000 dialysis sessions.
Beyond these, the club has been at the forefront of working with authorities on polio eradication for several years. We have also undertaken initiatives in mangrove afforestation, urban forestation, and literacy programmes, among others.
Can you elaborate on the Artificial Limbs Project?
The Artificial Limbs Project operates at the Rotary Centre in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, managed by a team of highly trained professionals. The process begins with the assessment of individuals in need of artificial limbs. Customised prosthetic limbs are then produced, and recipients are taught how to wear and remove them properly. The centre also carries out repairs and maintenance for artificial limbs that require servicing.
So far, approximately 34,000 patients have benefited from this project, including a significant number of women and children. This is truly a remarkable humanitarian initiative by the club, as many of the beneficiaries - most of whom are come from low-income backgrounds - are able to regain their livelihoods through the use of these prosthetics.
What has been your club’s contribution in the field of education?
In the field of education, the club supported establishment of schools in less developed area like Lyari. It has promoted teaching of IT-based learning and donated computers to different schools and institutions.
Are there any specific programmes for women, initiated by your club?
Awareness against early marriages, prevention of malnutrition in mother and child, and skills training and development in collaboration with Behbud (an NGO).
In your opinion, what are the main issues faced by Pakistani women today?
Lack of opportunity, limited access to education, restricted mobility, and widespread discrimination.
What is the most important advice you can give to women?
In a crux, I would advise them to be confident, work hard, don’t seek short cuts.
What’s your biggest accomplishment to date?
Promoting edible oil production through a palm tree cultivation project in Pakistan.
Since its inception in 1994, the Sindh Coastal Development Authority (SCDA) had never delivered on its mandate - to promote and develop the Sindh coastal areas through the plantation of palm oil trees for domestic edible oil production.
My team was able to revive the project within 18 months. We successfully extracted one ton of edible oil, with samples approved by DALDA, one of the largest raw oil importers in Pakistan.
Once fully operational, this project could be a game-changer for the country’s economy. It has the potential to spark the growth of ancillary industries such as refrigerated transport, fruit and vegetable packaging, and more. It could also play a vital role in halting de-industrialisation.
The government should support women entrepreneurs in this initiative to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.
How do you unwind?
Being with family, reading a good book or listening to music.
What are some of your favourite authors?
Some of my favourites include Patras Bukhari, Ibn-e-Insha, Col. Muhammad Khan, Somerset Maugham, Oscar Wilde, and Jeffrey Archer, among others.
How do you maintain a balance between family life and work?
Family is a priority. I survive by maintaining a strict schedule and organising my work around it.