His previous roles include six years as Programmes Director at Bradford-based QED UK, which provides economic development initiatives in education, employment, enterprise and community. In 2002 he joined UnLtd as Director of Development, leading social entrepreneur grant and business support programmes across the UK and internationally. 

He then was Global Programmes Director at Impact Hub Global based in Vienna where he led on a trans-global programmes strategy. From there, Zulfiqar went to work in Islamabad. He was executive director at consulting firm Equal Impact, supporting international development agency-led social innovation initiatives in countries including Jordan and Palestine. 

Zulfiqar is currently Director at The Leap, the Arts Council funded Creative People and Places programme for Bradford District.