“Poverty is not just about lack of resources; it’s about deprivation – of social network, justice and morality. But poverty, in its worst form, is of hopelessness”
Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib is the founder and Executive Director of Akhuwat, the world’s largest Islamic microfinance organization. The organization has now successfully disbursed (As of March 2023) Rs.194 billion in interest-free loans, helping over 5.7 million families across Pakistan. Amongst other projects, Akhuwat has also launched Pakistan’s first fee free university—Akhuwat College University— which is open to talented students from across Pakistan, as admissions are based solely on merit.
Dr. Saqib is a development practitioner, social entrepreneur, author, and former civil servant. His alma matter includes King Edward Medical University, in Lahore, and The American University in Washington D.C. Akhuwat’s programs work through enhancing financial inclusion, education, access to healthcare, and the provision of food and clothes to underprivileged and deserving communities.
He is Chairman Punjab Development Network (PDN) which is a network of more than 160 development and charity organizations, working for social and economic development especially in areas like clean drinking water and sanitation. He is Executive Director, Fountain house – an Institute of treatment and rehabilitation of mentally challenged people. His areas of expertise include governance, poverty alleviation, microfinance and rural development. In recognition of his remarkable achievements in restoring human dignity to Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities, including poor women and transgenders, through financial inclusion, education, health care, and provision of shelter and housing, Dr. Saqib has received world-wide recognition, including “Ramon Magsaysay Award 2021”, popularly known as “Asia’s Nobel Prize”, the Islamic Economy Award by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Thomson Reuters in 2018. He is also recipient of Social Entrepreneur of the year award for 2018 by World Economic Forum (WEF) and Schwab Foundation and Commonwealth’s 31st Point of Light award by Queen Elizabeth II in 2018. He has also been awarded Life Time Achievement Award, 2014 by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Thomson Reuters, for his efforts to promote Islamic finance. President of Pakistan bestowed on him Sitara-a-Imtiaz, one of the coveted civil awards of Pakistan. He has authored nine books and an is acclaimed speaker who has spoken at UN, Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge.
He is married to Farrukh Amjad, who he believes to be the strongest supporter of his mission. They have two children whom he adores, Junaid Farid and Farazeen Amjad Shahid.