ALUMS Chat: Zainab Malik On Rethinking Justice From Human Rights Advocacy to Systemic Change

In our next episode of ALUMS Chat, we are delighted to host Zainab Malik (BA-LL.B 2011), a human rights and justice practitioner working at the intersection of human rights, access to justice, the rule of law, and institutional reform. With over 15 years of experience across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, Zainab has dedicated her career to strengthening justice systems and advancing the rights of vulnerable communities.

Zainab is currently Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor at The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), where she leads global policy and advocacy on people-centred justice. Working with governments, international organisations, civil society, and communities, she champions approaches that make justice systems more accessible, responsive, and effective for the people they serve.

Previously, Zainab served as Head of Policy and Advocacy at Justice Project Pakistan, combining strategic litigation and advocacy to challenge the death penalty and protect vulnerable groups. She began her legal career in Lahore, practicing constitutional, public interest, and commercial law, before joining the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), where she worked on rule-of-law and access-to-justice programmes across multiple regions.

Zainab earned an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, and in recognition of her contributions and achievements, she received the LUMS Alumni Achievement Award and the LUMS Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024.

Why Watch the Episode?

•    Explore what people-centred justice means and how justice systems can better respond to the needs of individuals and communities.

•    Learn how strategic litigation, policy, and advocacy can help challenge injustice and protect fundamental human rights.

•    Gain insights into the challenges of advancing the rule of law and institutional reform across diverse legal and political contexts.

•    Hear Zainab’s perspectives on building more accessible, equitable, and effective justice systems around the world.

•    Discover how legal education and a commitment to public service can translate into meaningful impact across borders.

Join us online on the LUMS Facebook Page on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm (PKT).