Amjad Saqib

{{short description|Pakistani philanthropist and social entrepreneur and author}}

{{Multiple issues|

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{{Infobox person

| pre-nominals =

| name = Amjad Saqib

| image =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|2|1|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kamalia, Punjab, Pakistan

| nationality = Pakistani

| citizenship = Pakistani

| alma_mater = Government College University, Lahore
King Edward Medical College, Lahore
American University, Washington DC

| occupation = Social entrepreneur, philanthropist and author

| honours = Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2010){{Cite web|url=https://fp.brecorder.com/2010/03/201003241035093/|title=Pride of Performance, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz awards conferred|date=2010-03-24|website=Business Recorder (newspaper)|language=en-US|access-date=9 March 2021}}
Life Time Achievement (2015){{Cite web|author= Salama|url=https://halalfocus.net/uae-adib-and-thomson-reuters-launch-efica/|title=Life Time Achievement Award, ADIB and Thomson Reuters launch EFICA (Awards)|website=Halal Fous website|date=2015-06-03|access-date=9 March 2021}}
Ramon Magsaysay Award (2021){{Cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/617509-Dr-Amjad-Saqib-presented-Ramon-Magsaysay-Award-2021-|title = Dr Amjad Saqib presented Ramon Magsaysay Award 2021| date=14 February 2008 }}
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (2023)

| known_for = Akhuwat Foundation, Largest interest-free Microfinance credit program

| website = {{official website|http://www.amjadsaqib.com}}

}}

Muhammad Amjad Saqib, (Punjabi, {{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|امجد ثاقب}}}}; 1 February 1957) is a Pakistani social entrepreneur, development practitioner, former civil servant and author. He is the founder and executive director of Akhuwat Foundation, which is the world's largest Islamic microfinance organization that provides interest-free loans to the most deserving segments of society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/62148110/Profile|title=Amjad Saqib Profile |website=SCRIBD website|author=Muhammad Ahmad|date=12 August 2011|access-date=9 March 2021}}

Since its inception in 2001, the organization has now successfully disbursed over PKR 220 billion in interest-free loans, helping over 6 million families across Pakistan. Adopting a multidimensional approach to poverty alleviation, Akhuwat has launched several other projects including Pakistan's first fee-free university - Akhuwat College University - which is open to talented students from across Pakistan, who would otherwise not be able to afford higher education.{{Cite web|author= Syed Sadaat|newspaper=DAWN (newspaper) |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1273408|title=In Edhi's footsteps, Social work through civil service is the future |access-date=9 March 2021|date = 2016-07-27}} Akhuwat operates several other projects under its umbrella some of which include enhancing financial inclusion, access to education and healthcare, support of the transgender community as well as the provision of food and clothes.{{Cite news|newspaper=Daily Times (newspaper)|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/262651/akhuwat-university/|title=Akhuwat University|date=2018-07-05|access-date=9 March 2021}}

Amjad Saqib is known for his work for social mobilization, poverty alleviation, microfinance, and education management.{{cite web|url=https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/people/muhammad-amjad-saqib|title= Profile of Muhammad Amjad Saqib at Berkley Center, Georgetown University website|date=10 January 2011|access-date=9 March 2021}} He has written nine books which include Akhuwat ka Safar and Molu Musali, which describe his journey in forming Akhuwat and he regularly writes columns in several Pakistani newspapers. He is the recipient of several national and international honors including Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, two of the most coveted civil awards of Pakistan. He also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2021 for his organisation's interest-free loan programme.

Life and career

Amjad Saqib was born in 1957 in Kamalia, Tehsil of Toba Tek singh, a small city in Punjab. After completing his early education, he joined Government College, Lahore, and went on to complete his bachelor's degree in medicine (M.B.B.S) from King Edward Medical College in 1982. He was awarded the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in 1995 and pursued his master's degree in Public Administration from American University, Washington D.C.

Muhammad Amjad Saqib also enrolled in a year-long program at LUMS, which was in collaboration with McGill University related to Social Enterprise & Management. Additionally, he has completed several professional development courses on leadership from Harvard University.

In 2003, he decided to devote all his efforts towards working for public welfare and social development through the establishment of Akhuwat and decided to resign from the Pakistani Civil Service.{{cite web|url=http://prideofpakistan.com/famedetail.php?id=236|title= Amjad Saqib profile on Pride Of Pakistan website|access-date=10 March 2021}}

He provides consultancy services to different organizations including International Labour Organization, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, World Bank, and Canadian International Development Agency. He has been invited to speak on the issues of poverty alleviation and social entrepreneurship at different institutions such as Harvard University, University of Oxford, and University of Cambridge. He was invited to speak at the United Nations Economic and Social Council on ‘Taking Action to Improve Lives’ conference, where he spoke about the need of adopting an integrated and holistic approach towards poverty reduction.{{cite web|url=http://economyofwellbeing.com/articles/banking-and-finance/dr-muhammad-amjad-saqib-founder-of-akhuwat-the-worlds-largest-interest-free-micro-finance-program/|website=An Economy of Well- Being website|author=Michael Anielski|date=14 July 2018|title= Amjad Saqib founder of Akhuwat the world's largest interest-free micro finance program|access-date=10 March 2021}} He is also a member of Blessing for All foundation.{{Cite web |title=Blessing for all established to highlight life of Prophet Muhammad |url=https://pakobserver.net/blessing-for-all-established-to-highlight-life-of-prophet-muhammad/ |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=pakobserver.net/ |date=8 October 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title='Blessing for All' Foundation set up to highlight life of Holy Prophet |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/10/08/blessing-for-all-foundation-set-up-to-highlight-life-of-holy-prophet/ |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=pakistantoday.com.pk |date=8 October 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title='Blessing for All' highlighting message of Holy Prophet (PBUH) |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1009566/blessing-for-all-highlighting-message-of-holy-prophet-pbuh/ |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=dailytimes.com.pk/ |date=9 October 2022 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title='Blessing for All Foundation' documentary highlights women's rights in Islam |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/13-Mar-2023/blessing-for-all-foundation-documentary-highlights-women-s-rights-in-islam |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=en.dailypakistan.com.pk/ |date=13 March 2023 |language=en}}

He is married to Farrukh Amjad; they have two children, Junaid Farid and Farazeen Amjad Shahid.

=Akhuwat=

Established in 2001, Akhuwat was the first organization in Pakistan to tackle the issue of poverty through the disbursement of interest-free loans also known as Qarz-e-Hasan.{{cite web|url=https://aurora.dawn.com/news/1140913|title= Business in the footsteps of Akhuwat|date= March 2014|author=Muhammad Talha Salam |newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|access-date=10 March 2021}} In 2024, Akhuwat's Islamic Microfinance program has disbursed PKR 220 Billion in interest-free loans with a repayment rate of 99.9% to 6 million families across Pakistan. The organization has a network of more than 8000 employees in over 853 branches across 400 cities in Pakistan.

Akhuwat is founded in accordance with the Islamic principle of MawaKhat or brotherhood. The earliest example of Mawakhat is seen in the solidarity formed by the citizens of Medina and the Muhajireen (or Meccans) who had migrated to Medina to escape persecution. The people of Medina shared half of their wealth and resources with the migrants. Inspired by this spirit, Akhuwat seeks to invoke this concept of brotherhood through its work. Keeping this in mind, Akhuwat believes in a poverty-free society that is based on the principles of compassion and equity.

Beyond the realm of microfinance, Akhuwat has expanded its work into the field of education, health, and supporting the most marginalized segments of society. Akhuwat's programs include Akhuwat Education Services, Akhuwat Clothes Bank, Akhuwat Transgender Support Program, and Akhuwat Health Services. In the field of education, it has launched Pakistan's first fee-free University in Kasur; Akhuwat College Kasur which is a residential college that provides quality education free of cost to students from low-income households. The aim of the college is not only to provide these young people with quality education, but also focuses on cultivating their unique talents, inspiring a deeper sense of ethics, and inculcating the values of discipline, hard work, and volunteerism.{{cite book|author=Joana Silva Afonso|author2=Ajaz Ahmed Khan| publisher=link.springer.com|title=Emerging Challenges and Innovations in Microfinance and Financial Inclusion|date=16 July 2019 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-05261-4_4|s2cid=199297126}}

File:Akhuwat College University.jpg

Akhuwat's Education Services includes a network of over 300 schools and 4 colleges. Akhuwat has distributed 2.5 million clothes to low income families across all provinces of Pakistan. This project was appreciated by the Punjab Government and Federal Government.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1514998|title=Unsung Heroes|author=Tasneem Noorani|date=2019-11-05}} He made a recent visit to Sweden and Denmark to encourage overseas Pakistanis to come forward and do the necessary effort at their end.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGaE8UlZDXY|title=TEDx Talks ITU|website=YouTube|date=2016-02-16}} The Akhuwat Transgender Support Program provides psycho-social therapy, skills and vocational training, literacy and health workshops to thousands of transgenders across Pakistan. They have held free medical camps and awareness seminars, and provided free treatment and vaccinations for diseases such as hepatitis C and hepatitis B.{{cite news|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/12755/transgender-people-get-their-blood-screened/|title=Transgender people get their blood screened|date=2017-05-07}}

= Akhuwat University =

Currently under-construction, Akhuwat University will be Pakistan's first fee-free university where students will pay their fees according to their means. Through a range of financial instruments, including scholarships and interest-free loans, Akhuwat will ensure equal access to quality education to all eligible students. The University embodies Akhuwat's long-term vision of development and prosperity by preparing a new generation of leaders that will transform their communities and country.{{Cite web |last=akhuwat |title=Akhuwat Education Services (AES) |url=https://akhuwat.org.pk/akhuwat-education-services-aes/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Akhuwat {{!}} Islamic Micro Finance |language=en-US}}

Literary works

The literary works of Muhammad Amjad Saqib include:{{Cite web|url=https://amjadsaqib.com/amjad-saqib-books/|title=Dr. Amjad Saqib Books {{!}} Urdu Books|website=Amjad Saqib|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://amjadsaqib.com/|title=Dr Amjad Saqib {{!}} Author {{!}} Founder of Akhuwat Foundation|website=Amjad Saqib|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-10}}

(2021) Chaar Aadmi
(2020) Integral Finance – Akhuwat A Case Study of the Solidarity Economy{{Cite web|url=https://www.routledge.com/Integral-Finance-Akhuwat-A-Case-Study-of-the-Solidarity-Economy/Saqib-Malik/p/book/9780367585723|title=Akhuwat A Case Study of the Solidarity Economy}}
(2019) Maulo Musali
(2016) Kamyab Loag
(2015) Shahar-e-Lab-e-Darya (This book won the Khushhal Khan Khattak Literary Award)
(2014) Gotam Ke Dais Main (A travelogue to Nepal)
(2014) Akhuwat Ka Safar{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/868428172|title=Via worldcat|oclc=868428172}}
(2014) Dasht-e-Zulmat Main Aik Diya
(2014) Aik Yaadgaar Mushaira
(2013) Ghurbat Aur Microcredit
(2009) Devolution and Governance: Reforms in Pakistan edited by Muhammad Amjad Saqib{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aK4kAQAAIAAJ|title = Devolution and Governance: Reforms in Pakistan|isbn = 9780195475210|last1 = (Professor)|first1 = Syed Mubashir Ali|last2 = s̲Āqib|first2 = Muḥammad Amjad|year = 2008| publisher=Oxford University Press }}
(2023) ''Silaab Ki Kahani

All Urdu books have been published by Sang-e-Meel Publications 35 Shahrah-e-Pakistan (Lower Mall), Lahore, Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://sangemeel.shop/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAw_H-BRD-ARIsALQE_2PWAbnEzrLb_VPFfXbMYj7UtbzkAEcS8r4GwT2qsanFPYL8tzxHGzAaAp52EALw_wcB|title=Sang-e-Meel}}

Honors and awards

Sitara-i-Imtiaz, awarded by the President of Pakistan for Saqib's work for poverty alleviation in Pakistan (2010)[https://www.dawn.com/news/943236 List of civil award winners] Dawn (newspaper), Published 16 August 2009, Retrieved 10 March 2021
Gold Medal presented by Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, for Saqib's contribution to social change in Pakistan (2010){{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/527375|title=Prime Minister conferred the Nazria-i-Pakistan award|newspaper=Dawn|date= 2010-03-27}}
Life Time Achievement Award, presented by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Thomson Reuters for Akhuwat's contribution to Islamic Finance (2014){{Cite web|author= salama|url=https://halalfocus.net/uae-adib-and-thomson-reuters-launch-efica/|title=Life Time Achievement Award, ADIB and Thomson Reuters launch EFICA|date=2015-06-03}}
Social Entrepreneur of the year, awarded by World Economic Forum (WEF) and Schwab Foundation in recognition of his contributions as a social entrepreneur (2018).{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/09/world-changers-meet-the-social-entrepreneurs-of-the-year-2018/|title=World-changers: Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2018|date=2018-09-24}}
Commonwealth's 31st Point of Light Award presented by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of Saqib's services for poverty alleviation and restoring human dignity in Pakistan (2018){{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/221007/queen-recognises-pakistani-volunteer-with-commonwealth-points-of-light-award/|title=Queen recognises Pakistani volunteer with Commonwealth Points of Light award|date=2018-03-28|website=Daily Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/her-majesty-the-queen-recognises-pakistani-volunteer-with-commonwealth-points-of-light-award|title=Her Majesty The Queen recognises Pakistani volunteer with Commonwealth Points of Light award|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pointsoflight.gov.uk/pakistan/|title=Pakistan - Commonwealth Point of Light|last=|first=|date=15 March 2018|website=Points of Light - Prime Minister's Office 10 Downing Street|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}{{cite news|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/03/28/philanthropist-dr-amjad-saqib-receives-commonwealth-points-of-light-award/|title=Philanthropist receives Commonwealth Points of Light award}}{{cite news|url=https://timesofislamabad.com/29-Mar-2018/pakistan-s-dr-amjad-saqib-honoured-with-queen-s-award-for-largest-microfinance-organisation-akhuwat|title=Times of Islamabad}}
Social Entrepreneur Award by Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif; for Akhuwat's contribution for poverty alleviation (2018){{Cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/09/world-changers-meet-the-social-entrepreneurs-of-the-year-2018/|title=World-changers: meet the Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2018|last=|first=|date=|website=World Economic Forum|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}
Islamic Finance Excellence Award by Comsats University Pakistan in commemoration of Akhuwat's contribution to the advancement of Islamic finance (2018){{cite web|url=https://lahore.comsats.edu.pk/cif/IFEA-Award-2018.aspx|title=Comsats}}
Shaan-e-Pakistan (Pride of Pakistan) awarded by President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi acknowledging Saqib's efforts and welfare work during COVID-19 (2020){{cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/29-Oct-2020/pakistanis-to-emerge-as-a-great-nation-in-new-pakistan-claims-president|title=Nation.com|date=29 October 2020}}
"I Am The Change" Award (IATC) by Engro Corporation to pay tribute to local change agents who have worked to improve the livelihoods of the poorest of the poor in Pakistan (2013){{Cite web|url=http://iamthechange.com.pk/projects/akhuwat-2/|title=Akhuwat - Projects {{!}} I Am The Change|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-14}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engro.com/news-center/impacting-real-change-%E2%80%95-engro-honors-the-winners-of-i-am-the-change-digital-competition/|title=Impacting Real Change ― Engro honors the winners of I am the Change digital competition {{!}} Engro Corporation|website=www.engro.com|access-date=2019-03-14}}
Honorary Citizenship of Louisville, USA awarded by Mayor Greg E. Fischer for introducing the novel idea of interest-free microfinance. (2014)
Awarded 35th Human Rights Award presented by Human Rights Society of Pakistan in recognition of his contribution to preserving and ensuring human rights of minorities (HRSP) (2015)
Pace Award, presented by Pakistani American Community for high integrity and innovative ideas under the banner of Akhuwat (2017){{cite web|url=http://prideofpakistan.com/famedetail.php?id=236|title=Dr. Amjad Saqib}}
Islamic Economics Application Award at the 6th Islamic Economics Workshop in Turkey for developing underprivileged communities in Pakistan (2018){{Cite web|url=https://islamiceconomyaward.net/2018-winners/|title=Meet the 2018 Islamic Economy Award Winners|last=|first=|date=|website=Islamic Economy Award - Dubai Chamber|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}} IGIAD's President Ayhan Karahan (2018)
Islamic Economy Award presented at the Global Islamic Summit by Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Thomson Reuters recognizing Akhuwat's contribution to Islamic Economics (2018).
The Ramon Magsaysay Award 2021 for Saqib's first-of-its-kind interest and collateral-free microfinance loan programme that has helped millions of poor families.{{Cite web|url=https://www.app.com.pk/national/pm-congratulates-dr-amjad-sadiq-for-receiving-ramon-magsaysay-award/|title = PM congratulates Dr Amjad Saqib for receiving Ramon Magsaysay award|date = 31 August 2021}}
Nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.{{cite news |title=Philanthropist Dr Amjad Saqib nominated for Nobel Peace Prize |url=https://thefrontierpost.com/philanthropist-dr-amjad-saqib-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |work=The Frontier Pakistan |date=24 April 2022}}
Hilal-e-Imtiaz, awarded by the President of Pakistan for Saqib's work in distribution of interest-free loans to 6 million families across Pakistan (2023)