Dr. Muhammad Shabbir is an analyst, rights activist and a researcher with expertise in international relations, digital accessibility, internet governance, as well as in policy and strategy formulation. Prior to his appointment as Member of ISOC Board of Trustees in July 2021, he was the founding President of the ISOC Accessibility Special Interest Group now converted to ISOC Standing Group on Accessibility, 1 of 3 permanent SIGs of ISOC and Member Board of Directors of the ISOC Pakistan Islamabad Chapter. He has also worked in collaboration with ISOC Asia Pacific Bureau and other organizations on a number of projects on digital accessibility in Asia Pacific region and in Pakistan.
In pursuit of his aim to help make the Internet equally trustable, accessible and inclusive for all, particularly for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Dr. Shabbir participates in various global, regional and national initiatives and organizations, along with serving on a number of boards and multi stakeholder groups. At global and regional level, he is a Member of APRIGF Multi Stakeholder Group; member of IGF's DCAD (Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability) Steering Group; and member of ICANN Technology Task Force, Non Commercial Users Constituency, and Cross Community Committee on Accessibility. He also delivered presentations in APSIG and MEAC-SIG. At national level, he has been a Steering Committee member, regular faculty and a participant of PKSIG at its all seven events. In the quest to make digital environment accessible for PWDs in Pakistan, he undertook number of projects with Ministries of telecom and Technology, Human Rights, Information and Broadcasting, Planning, as well with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, State Bank of Pakistan, Right to Information Commission and Higher Education Commission.
Dr. Shabbir holds Ph.D. degree in International Relations and is serving as Research Associate in Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis at National Defence University Islamabad. He has published and presented his research works at different national and international forums. He has experience in working with volunteer-based organizations since 1997 and have assumed different positions of responsibility. Apart from the organizations in IG domain mentioned above, these organizations include: International Political Science Association, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, Rawalpindi Cricket Club of the Blind, True Sight Organization of the Blind Pakistan and Islamabad Council on World Affairs.
Dr. Shabbir is from Pakistan. He is also a person with lived experience of disability on account of him being blind. He tweets as @MShabirAwan
