Asif Bhutto is a globally respected executive and strategic advisor with 38 years of leadership experience across humanitarian operations, corporate finance, and international policy advocacy. A Pakistani national, he has served in senior roles within the United Nations and the private sector, consistently delivering transformative impact through operational excellence, resource mobilization, and strategic foresight. His career reflects a deep commitment to inclusive development, institutional resilience, and global collaboration.
Currently, Mr. Bhutto serves as Chief Executive Officer of Dehat Kidmat Organization (DKO), a forward-looking NGO focused on food security, nutrition, education, and disability inclusion. Under his leadership, DKO has expanded its reach and influence, designing innovative programs that empower vulnerable communities and promote sustainable development. He has positioned the organization as a trusted partner in advancing resilience and equity, while forging strategic alliances across sectors. In parallel, Mr. Bhutto serves on the boards of several companies focused on entering new international markets, building cross-border partnerships, and enhancing the visibility of Pakistani products in emerging economies. His board-level advisory work supports governance, business development, and global positioning strategies for companies seeking sustainable growth and international relevance.
Prior to his current roles, Mr. Bhutto held a distinguished career at the World Food Programme (WFP), culminating in his appointment as Senior Professional Staff at WFP New York. There, he led external relations across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and South America. He represented WFP in various UN forums in New York, shaped global humanitarian policy discussions, negotiated funding allocations, and strengthened relationships with key donor states including the USA, UK, EU, Gulf States, and Canada. He also engaged with humanitarian coordination teams across UNICEF, UNDP, and FAO, ensuring WFP’s priorities were well-articulated and integrated into global frameworks.
Mr. Bhutto’s operational leadership extended to field roles where he led high-impact food security interventions in some of the world’s most complex humanitarian settings. As Deputy Country Director in Liberia, he oversaw the nationwide rollout of a homegrown school feeding program, integrating local agricultural supply chains and nutrition-sensitive programming to improve child health outcomes. In Iraq, he led WFP’s emergency preparedness, resilience-building, and cash-based transfer operations, while strengthening shock-responsive social protection mechanisms and donor engagement strategies. As Head of Area Office in Aden, he managed food assistance for 2.4 million beneficiaries, balancing emergency response with long-term resilience-building through Food for Assets and Food for Training initiatives. In Hudaydah, he led one of WFP’s most complex humanitarian operations, reaching over 4 million beneficiaries across 72 districts, while negotiating humanitarian access, managing port logistics, and coordinating multi-sectoral crisis response efforts.
Earlier in his WFP career, Mr. Bhutto served as Regional Programme Officer and Regional Logistics Officer in Johannesburg, supporting humanitarian operations of 42 humanitarian projects in 21 African countries. He began his humanitarian journey in Afghanistan as Head of Logistics Budget, applying his financial acumen to support emergency operations in a post-conflict setting. His work in forecasting donor allocations, optimizing funding flows, and ensuring cost-effectiveness laid the groundwork for future leadership in country-level programming.
Before joining the UN system, Mr. Bhutto held influential roles in Pakistan’s private sector. As Assistant Company Secretary of Pakistan Telecom Co. Ltd. (PTCL) and Company Secretary Ufone Ltd, he played a pivotal role in preparing the company for privatization, establishing its mobile subsidiary UFONE, and successfully raising $250 million for the Government of Pakistan. As Chief Financial Officer of IP Securities, he led strategic planning and risk management initiatives to support long-term growth. overseeing financial operations, audit management, and corporate expansion planning. Earlier in his career, he managed equity and fixed income fund at First Investor Corporation (USA), ranked among the top 200 in the country.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bhutto has demonstrated an exceptional ability to mobilize resources, influence policy, and deliver results in high-stakes environments. Whether negotiating financial agreements at the highest levels or ensuring food assistance reaches remote, conflict-affected populations, his leadership has consistently driven innovation, accountability, and sustainable impact. He is married and the proud father of two children, and continues to champion resilient systems, inclusive development, and strategic transformation across sectors and geographies.