Saqib Javed Raja is a Washington, D.C.–based humanitarian and development professional with over 15 years of international experience in advocacy, relief, welfare, and development across South Asia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of KORT USA – Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust, a nonprofit organization raising funds in the United States to support orphan care, healthcare, and humanitarian initiatives in Kashmir, Pakistan.
Saqib began his journey in the development sector as a volunteer with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, where he participated in disaster response initiatives and community engagement programs. He later became actively involved with the Youth Parliament of Pakistan, eventually serving as Programs Manager from 2011 to 2015, where he led programs in Azad Kashmir under major international initiatives including “Know Your Rights” (funded by SIDA), “Youth Action for Democracy” (funded by UNDEF), and “Active Citizens” (British Council), coordinating youth leadership development, civic engagement campaigns, and community outreach initiatives.
In 2013, Saqib worked as Project Director with the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP), leading a U.S. Embassy-funded digital literacy and social media training program empowering young women through technology education and leadership development initiatives. He later joined Sukhi Development Foundation as Project Coordinator from 2014 to 2015, coordinating a USAID-funded labor rights project supporting women workers in Azad Kashmir through advocacy, capacity building, and community awareness programs.
In 2016, Saqib served as Project Manager at the Azad Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry, where he managed the “Peace Through Trade” project promoting economic cooperation and dialogue between traders across the Line of Control, supporting confidence-building and cross-border engagement initiatives. He then joined Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust in Pakistan as Director of Programs & Human Resources from 2017 to 2020, leading major humanitarian and development initiatives including the 2019 Mirpur Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Project, nationwide COVID-19 emergency relief operations, and the organization’s flagship Orphans Welfare & Support Program. He also developed and implemented multiple welfare, education, and community development projects benefiting vulnerable communities across Kashmir and Pakistan.
After relocating to the United States, Saqib founded Youth & Women for Peace & Dialogue in Georgia, USA, leading the organization from 2021 to 2024 and advancing youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and international advocacy initiatives, including organizing the Global Change Summit and leading international exchange and leadership programs. In 2024, he also served as Communications Specialist with the American Red Cross in Georgia, supporting communications and public engagement initiatives including humanitarian awareness campaigns, volunteer coordination messaging, and digital outreach to strengthen community engagement and disaster response visibility.
In 2025, Saqib was appointed Chief Executive Officer of KORT USA, where he leads the organization’s U.S. chapter, overseeing strategic development, governance, fundraising, and international partnerships supporting humanitarian programs for orphan welfare, healthcare, and community development in Kashmir and Pakistan.
Saqib has participated in numerous international leadership and exchange programs including the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the Conflict Transformation Across Cultures program at SIT Graduate Institute / World Learning, leadership exchange programs in China and the United Kingdom, Emergency Assessment Training through ICRC/IFRC, Early Grade Reading Assessment training under USAID-supported systems, and global youth leadership initiatives such as the Seeds of Peace +971 Summit at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Recognized as a Kashmiri humanitarian leader and policy advocate, Saqib continues to engage with international partners, diaspora communities, and civil society networks to advance human rights, education, and sustainable development for underserved communities.