Zehra Shallwani is a multifaceted researcher, faculty member, organizer, and entrepreneur, weaving connections between entrepreneurship, tourism, handicrafts, wildlife, agriculture, and cultural diversity in Pakistan. As a founder of Dastaan Tours Pvt Ltd, she spearheads ecological and cultural tourism initiatives, earning recognition as a UK Alumni Awards finalist. An advocate for diversity and inclusion, Zehra catalyzes impactful change through policy, research, development, and peacebuilding efforts.

Personal story: Raised in Karachi city with ancestral ties to a rural village in Sindh province, Zehra Shallwani intimately understands the complexities of poverty across urban and rural landscapes. She confronts sustainability challenges, including food security, land rights, and climate change impacts like the 2022 floods in Sindh, Pakistan. Committed to fostering peace and reducing poverty, Shallwani pioneers projects promoting the circular economy and sustainable development.

OMLAS Project: Harnessing indigenous wisdom, Zehra Shallwani intends to empower women by reviving traditional practices like using natural dyes from fruits and vegetables, as seen in the iconic ajrak textiles dominated by men in some villages in Sindh. Through training in dye extraction, textile production, and eco-friendly practices, Zehra intends to champion slow fashion, preserving Sindh Province's cultural legacy while countering the harmful impacts of fast fashion with sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives.