Qarib is Code for Pakistan's Vice President for Events and Hackathons, where he is responsible for executing some of the organization's most impactful and widely-covered events. He is passionate about designing events for programs and projects that promote social progress and socio-economic uplift, and does this by addressing the needs of the marginalized and the community at large.
Prior to joining Code for Pakistan, Qarib actively volunteered and helped organize the Islamabad Hackathon in 2015 and the Civic Hackathon in 2016. He was also an ambassador for two US-based organizations, Pakathon and Angel Hack, designing hackathons for both organizations in 2013 and 2014. These events were amongst the first of its kind in Pakistan, and created the space and opportunity for young entrepreneurs and technologists in Pakistan to improve their skills and innovate.
Qarib has also arranged workshops, fireside chats, annual forums and quarterly networking events as a founding member and Vice President of Events at OPEN Islamabad, which is a local chapter of OPEN Global — an organization that aims to foster entrepreneurship and facilitate budding entrepreneurs in the country. In addition, he serves as an advisor on the Academia Engagement Team for Asad Umar, Pakistan's current Federal Minister of Planning, Development, Reforms & Special Initiatives.. From 2014 to 2018, as the Minister's VP Academia Engagements, he organized countless lectures and discussions for the Minister in an effort to engaging students and academia on the Minister's finance agenda.
Qarib also runs his own startup that aims to reduce Pakistan's carbon footprint and combat climate change, and he regularly conducts workshops, panels and sessions at his alma mater, FAST National University, Islamabad, advocating for urgent action to improve the environment.
Qarib holds over 20 years of experience in the software industry and currently works for Bentley Systems as a Software Development Manager, where he leads a CAD product team that is responsible for nearly $1 million in annual revenues.
He has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Computer Science from FAST National University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and a Master's degree in Management from CASE University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Qarib lives in Islamabad, Pakistan.