Umar Sheikh

I'm a person with unshakeable faith and resolution 2 achieve excellence, whatever I choose in my life.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

What changed?
My body returned home, but my heart did not.
I miss the Azan echoing through the streets. I miss seeing people rushing towards prayer instead of rushing towards worldly pursuits. I miss that beautiful feeling that nothing mattered except my connection with Allah.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

I walked 15 to 20 kilometers daily without complaint. No knee pain. No exhaustion. No excuses.Under the scorching sun of Makkah, I performed Tawaf, walked for hours, and never felt defeated.

And now?

I sit in an air-con room, yet feel tired walking from one room to another.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Back to ordinary life.
Back to familiar routines.
Back to a world that somehow feels different because a part of your heart was left behind between Makkah and Madinah.

In those blessed days, I would place my head on the pillow and fall asleep within minutes. My mind was calm,

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

The pain after Hajj is real.

Everyone talks about preparing for Hajj. Very few talk about living after Hajj. Because perhaps the hardest Tawaf is not the one around the Kaaba. It's carrying Makkah in your heart after you've left it behind.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Let's Talk About Post-Hajj Pain... 🕋❤️

We spend months preparing for Hajj.

We learn the rituals, attend trainings, pack our bags, buy comfortable shoes, and prepare ourselves physically and spiritually for the journey.

But no one really prepares us for the journey back.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

The most peaceful place on Earth, beyond words and wrapped in unmatched majesty.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

beneficiary targeting, improve transparency, and enable real-time program monitoring.
The visit also included a tour of the Data Center, showcasing dashboards for PSER and the Ramzan Nigehban Package, highlighting how technology can strengthen responsive social protection systems

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Had a productive meeting with CM Punjab's Adviser on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives, Ali Mustafa Dar during his visit to Punjab Social Protection Authority.
He was briefed on PSPA’s welfare initiatives, along with discussions on leveraging AI to enhance

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

and adaptive social protection systems in Punjab, combining PSPA’s on-ground experience with WFP’s global expertise. The collaboration will focus on innovative approaches, including disaster risk financing, climate resilience, and adaptive social protection mechanisms.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Pleased to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Punjab Social Protection Authority and World Food Programme at the WFP Office in Islamabad.

This partnership marks a significant step toward building more inclusive, resilient,

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

I emphasized the need for women-centered innovation, stronger digital literacy for girls, and robust safeguards against social media-driven risks. Digital spaces can strengthen any society but only when dignity, freedom, and safety are protected for everyone. #DigitalSafety

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

A powerful panel at One-day seminar on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women part of #16 Days of Activism Campaign. The safety of women in the digital worldis not just technical but deeply social, economic, and psychological issue.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Productive meeting with Frank Schneider, Senior Policy Advisor at GIZ Islamabad, to review our ongoing collaboration and align on priorities for upcoming initiatives.
Discussions focused on the first Inter-Provincial Social Protection Forum, scheduled in Lahore.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

I met with Mr. Mehran Movahed, Consul General of Iran in Lahore, to express condolences on the reported martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei.
The people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the people of Iran during this difficult time.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Women continue to face disproportionate online harassment, blackmail, character assassination, and privacy violations. This isn’t just a tech issue, it’s about power imbalances, social norms, and weak policy frameworks.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

A powerful panel at One-day seminar on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women part of 16 Days of Activism Campaign.The safety of women in the digital worldis not just technical but deeply social, economic, and psychological issue
#UNiTE #DigitalSafety

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

I emphasized the need for women-centered innovation, stronger digital literacy for girls, and robust safeguards against social media-driven risks. Digital spaces can strengthen any society but only when dignity, freedom, and safety are protected for everyone.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Looking forward to continued cooperation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to drive impactful and transformative reforms for the people of Punjab.

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

Heartening to meet with the ILO Country Director, Geir T. Tonstol, at the ILO office in Islamabad.
Our discussion focused on future avenues for deeper collaboration and a strategic vision for advancing inclusive, modern, and sustainable social-protection initiatives.
#ILO

[Umar Sheikh @mumar_sheikh]

We explored opportunities to elevate the social-protection landscape in Punjab through research, innovation, and institutional strengthening, aiming for enhanced policy influence, stronger institutional capacities, enriched knowledge-sharing platforms, and closer alignment with