Muhammad Umar Khan

I am an Advocate and Legal Consultant with 15+ years of professional experience in litigation, legal drafting, legal advisory, refugee rights, human rights, immigration law, citizenship matters, and community development.

Since beginning my legal career in 2008, I have worked on a wide range of legal matters including civil, family, service, constitutional, and advisory work. My practice includes drafting complex legal documents such as writ petitions, appeals, revisions, references, legal notices, pleadings, and legal opinions.

I possess strong working knowledge of immigration laws and assist individuals and families regarding lawful immigration pathways to Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, including legal documentation, settlement pathways, and compliance requirements.

I also provide guidance on Pakistani citizenship and nationality laws, particularly for foreign nationals and refugee communities, including Afghan refugees seeking citizenship, registration, naturalization, or legal regularization under Pakistani law.

My human rights work includes refugee protection, access to justice, civil liberties, and missing persons cases. I assist affected families in understanding legal remedies related to unlawful detention, enforced disappearance, and recovery proceedings through appropriate legal forums.

I have substantial experience in the humanitarian and development sector through work with organizations including UNHCR-partner SACH (Struggle for Change), WHO, and DRC. During these roles, I conducted awareness sessions and training on refugee laws, refugee rights, legal protection, and human rights for refugee communities, police personnel, and law enforcement agencies.

During my work with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the polio eradication program, I supervised field teams and actively engaged with communities to raise awareness about polio prevention and public health protection for children.

My experience in law, humanitarian work, field operations, and community engagement has equipped me with strong skills in public awareness, stakeholder coordination, conflict-sensitive communication, and community mobilization.

Core expertise

• Litigation & Legal Consultation
• Legal Drafting & Pleadings
• Immigration Law
• Citizenship & Nationality Law
• Refugee Rights
• Human Rights & Missing Persons Cases
• Community Awareness & Training
• Social Sector Program Implementation
• Legal Research & Policy Advisory

Law Apprentice at District Courts Abbottabad (2009-01 – 2010-12)

• Successfully completed one-year legal apprenticeship under senior advocates.
• Received practical training in civil, criminal and family litigation.
• Successfully obtained Advocate License from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council.

Advocate at District Courts & Tribunals, Abbottabad, Peshawar & Islamabad (2010-01 – Present)

• Represent clients in civil, criminal, constitutional and family matters.
• Draft plaints, statements, appeals, revisions, constitutional petitions and legal opinions.
• Represent clients before District Courts and various tribunals.
• Provide legal counselling and dispute resolution services.
• Undertake pro bono legal representation for vulnerable and financially disadvantaged individuals.

Legal Officer at SACH - Struggle for Change (2011-01 – 2012-12)

• Worked on UNHCR-supported refugee protection programmes.
• Provided legal assistance and counselling to refugee communities.
• Conducted public awareness sessions on refugee rights and human rights.
• Assisted vulnerable refugees in accessing legal remedies.
• Coordinated with government departments and humanitarian organizations.

Tehsil Supervising Person (TSP) at World Health Organization (WHO) (2013-01 – 2014-12)

• Supervised implementation of the National Polio Eradication Programme.
• Managed vaccination teams across assigned tehsils.
• Led public awareness campaigns to reduce vaccine refusal.
• Coordinated field operations in high-risk security environments.
• Assisted in improving vaccination coverage through community engagement.

Legal Officer at Danish Refugee Council (DRC) (2014-01 – 2015-12)

• Delivered legal counselling to Afghan refugees.
• Conducted awareness programmes in refugee camps.
• Facilitated refugee access to legal protection mechanisms.
• Coordinated legal protection activities with humanitarian stakeholders.
• Conducted protection monitoring and case documentation.
• Job ended due to Government of Pakistan's restriction on activities of International NGOs.

Legal Officer at EHSAR Foundation (2015-01 – 2016-12)

• Assisted internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by military operations.
• Provided legal counselling and advocacy.
• Facilitated access to government services and rehabilitation mechanisms.
• Coordinated legal support for displaced families.

Bachelor of Laws in Law – University of Peshawar (2004-01 – 2008-12)

Bachelor of Arts in Law, Political Science – University of Peshawar (2002-01 – 2004-12)