Biography

Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad is a leading climate and water resources expert and currently heads the Water Resources and Glaciology Section at the Global Climate-Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC & EC), Pakistan. With over 16 years of dedicated experience, she has been at the forefront of research on climate change impacts on Pakistan’s freshwater systems, particularly glacier-fed basins, contributing to both national and international knowledge on high-mountain hydrology and climate adaptation. Her work focuses on assessing snow and glacier dynamics in HKH region using advanced remote sensing and GIS tools, hydrological and cryospheric models, and integrating climate-socioeconomic projections to develop informed adaptation strategies. She has made significant contributions to projects addressing glacier retreat, water security, and climate extremes, including floods, heatwaves, and droughts. Ms. Ahmad possesses extensive field experience in the HKH, participating in multiple glacier monitoring expeditions, including Passu, Gulmit, Gulkin, Nangaperbat Basecamp, Baltoro, and a recent assessment of glaciers in Arandu village. She successfully completed her PhD on 5th November 2025 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam under the HI-AWARE project. Her research, titled “Water Resources and Food Production in the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra River Basins of the HKH”, examined the interplay of climate change, socio-economic development, and water-food security under stress and extreme events using SPHY and LPJmL models. In November 2023, Ms. Ahmad assumed the role of Head of the Water Resources and Glaciology Section at GCISC, where she oversees research activities, provides technical expertise, and ensures timely delivery of outputs. She actively engages in policy discussions, high-level meetings, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen Pakistan’s climate adaptation efforts. Her recent contributions include developing Sub-Nati

Expertise

Research Type
Basic Research, Research Interface and Management, Transdisciplinary Research
Sectors
Professional, scientific and technical activities, Water supply
Methods
Earth Observations, Field Experiments, Field Observations, Mixed Methods, Modeling, Policy Analysis, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Methods, Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis
Spatial Scale of Expertise
Local/Community, National/Cultural, Regional
Time Scales
Decadal/Centennial, Seasonal/Annual
Statistical Focus
Extremes, Mean Change/Trends, Other, Variability, impacts
Mountain Ranges of Research Expertise
Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram Range
Inputs / Participation to/in UN Conventions
UN Agenda 2030 (SDGs) / UN HLPF, UNFCCC
Participation in Assessments
IPCC
Participation in Assessments Details
I have contributed to international and regional environmental and climate-related assessment processes primarily as an External Expert Reviewer, providing technical inputs on mountain hydrology, cryosphere dynamics, climate risk profiling, and water-resource variability with a strong geographical focus on the Hindu Kush, Himalaya, and Karakoram (HKH) region. My role has involved reviewing draft assessment chapters, validating data sources and methodologies, and offering subject-matter feedback on climate impacts, glacier and snow dynamics, and downstream water security implications. Through these engagements, I have supported evidence strengthening, regional data interpretation, and alignment of assessment outputs with scientific and policy relevance for high-mountain Asia.

Disciplines

Atmospheric Sciences
Climatology
Cryospheric Sciences
General Cryospheric Sciences, Glaciology, Snow Sciences
Earth Sciences
General Earth Sciences
Hydrospheric Sciences
Hydrogeology, Precipitation and Runoff

Projects

Start Date
Aug. 3, 2025
End Date
Aug. 31, 2026
Funding Source
UNEP
Role
National Focal Point for SDG 6.6.1
Homepage
https://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-SAS/WE-ACT/change-and-impact/News-and-Activities/2025/sdg-661/
Location
Pakistan
Country
Pakistan

Start Date
March 16, 2009
End Date
Aug. 31, 2016
Funding Source
APN
Role
Project Co-PI/ Partner
Homepage
https://www.apn-gcr.org/publication/impacts-of-global-change-on-the-dynamics-of-snow-glaciers-and-runoff-over-the-himalayan-mountains-and-their-consequences-for-highland-and-downstream-regions/
Location
Nepal, Pakistan
Country
Nepal

Start Date
Oct. 1, 2012
End Date
Dec. 31, 2012
Funding Source
YSSP2012, APEC, BUSAN KOREA
Role
Project Lead
Homepage
https://www.apcc21.org/board/searchAll?lang=en&keyword=YSSP+2012%2C+Qurat
Location
Busan, SOuth Korea
Country
South Korea

Start Date
April 30, 2013
End Date
Aug. 31, 2020
Funding Source
APN
Role
Project Co-PI/ Partner
Homepage
https://www.apn-gcr.org/project/runoff-scenario-and-water-based-adaptation-strategies-in-south-asia/
Location
Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh
Country
Pakistan

Start Date
July 18, 2022
End Date
June 30, 2025
Funding Source
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Role
• Expert Working Group Coordinator to conduct Climate Risk Assessments for the Water Sector
Homepage
https://www.giz.de/de/downloads/giz2022-en-climate-adaption-resilience.pdf
Location
Pakistan
Country
Pakistan

Publications

Authors
Nuzba Shaheen, Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad, Amjad Masood,Muhammad Arif Goheer, Muhammad Atiq Ur Rahman Tariq
Journal
Pak. J. Engg. Appl. Sci
Publication Year
2025
External Reference
https://journal.uet.edu.pk/ojs_old/index.php/pjeas/article/view/3700/477

Authors
Dr. Muhammad Azmat (NUST), Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad (GCISC), Ms. Nuzba Shaheen (GCISC), Dr. Muhammad Abid (GIZ), Mr. Sanaullah Khan Hassanzai (GIZ), Ms. Ghazala Naeem (GHQ)
Journal
http://www.pakcip.com/web/content/2038?unique=8034268ddc543cf2a19739672f48638cc0cd2357&download=false
Publication Year
2025
External Reference
http://www.pakcip.com/web/content/2038?unique=8034268ddc543cf2a19739672f48638cc0cd2357&download=false

Authors
Dr. Muhammad Azmat (NUST), Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad (GCISC), Ms. Nuzba Shaheen (GCISC), Dr. Muhammad Abid (GIZ), Mr. Sanaullah Khan Hassanzai (GIZ), Ms. Ghazala Naeem (GHQ)
Journal
http://www.pakcip.com/web/content/2083?unique=a205a4f18f1f74d9b8c7693193e9d475cd6a9957&download=false
Publication Year
2025
External Reference
http://www.pakcip.com/web/content/2083?unique=a205a4f18f1f74d9b8c7693193e9d475cd6a9957&download=false

Authors
QURAT UL Ahmad, Eddy Moors, Ilyas Masih, Nuzba Shaheen, Hester Biemans, Muhammad Adnan
Journal
Science of the Total Environment (STOTEN)
Publication Year
2024
External Reference
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723083109

Authors
Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad, and Eddy Moors, and Hester Biemans, and Nuzba Shaheen, and Ilyas Masih, and Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Hashmi
Journal
Climatic Change
Publication Year
2023
External Reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-023-03629-7

Authors
Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad, Hester Biemans, Eddy Moors, Nuzba Shaheen, Ilyas Masih
Journal
Water
Publication Year
2021
External Reference
https://scholar.google.com.pk/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=JytZK0sAAAAJ&citation_for_view=JytZK0sAAAAJ:UeHWp8X0CEIC

Authors
Nuzba Shaheen, Ambreen Jahandad, Muhammad Arif Goheer, Qurat-ul Ain Ahmad
Journal
APN Science Bulletin
Publication Year
2020
External Reference
https://scholar.google.com.pk/citations?view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=JytZK0sAAAAJ&citation_for_view=JytZK0sAAAAJ:zYLM7Y9cAGgC

Authors
Qurat-ul-Ain Ahmad, Ghazanfar Ali, Arshad Muhammad Khan
Journal
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312056830_Assessment_of_Future_Water_Availability_in_Hunza_River_Originating_from_Highly_Glacierised_Karakorum_Mountains_using_SWAT_Hydrological_Model
Publication Year
2015
External Reference
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312056830_Assessment_of_Future_Water_Availability_in_Hunza_River_Originating_from_Highly_Glacierised_Karakorum_Mountains_using_SWAT_Hydrological_Model

Map of Affiliations

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