Amjad Saqib

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 provides consultancy services to different organizations including International Labour Organization, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, World Bank, and Canadian International Development Agency. He is also a member of Blessing for All foundation. He is married to Farrukh Amjad; they have two children, Junaid Farid and Farazeen Amjad Shahid. Akhuwat Established in 2001, Akhuwat is a Pakistani organisation that provides interest-free loans, also known as Qarz-e-Hasan, as a means of addressing poverty. Akhuwat's Education Services reportedly include 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. He visited Sweden and Denmark to meet with overseas Pakistanis and discuss their role in contributing to development efforts. The Akhuwat Transgender Support Program is reported to provide 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. Akhuwat University Akhuwat University, which is currently under construction, is planned as Pakistan's first fee-free university, where students will contribute according to their financial means. It is expected to use a range of financial instruments, including scholarships and interest-free loans, to provide access to higher education for eligible students. The university is reported to be a part of Akhuwat’s broader initiatives in education and is intended to train students who can contribute to their communities. ==Literary works==

The literary works of Muhammad Amjad Saqib include: • (2021) Chaar Aadmi • (2020) Integral Finance – 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) Dasht-e-Zulmat Main Aik Diya • (2014) Aik Yaadgaar Mushaira • (2023) Silaab Ki Kahani All Urdu books have been published by Sang-e-Meel Publications 35 Shahrah-e-Pakistan (Lower Mall), Lahore, Pakistan. ==Honors and awards==

• Sitara-i-Imtiaz, awarded by the President of Pakistan for Saqib's work for poverty alleviation in Pakistan (2010) • Gold Medal presented by Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, for Saqib's contribution to social change in Pakistan (2010) • Life Time Achievement Award, presented by Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Thomson Reuters for Akhuwat's contribution to Islamic Finance (2014) • Social Entrepreneur of the year, awarded by World Economic Forum (WEF) and Schwab Foundation in recognition of his contributions as a social entrepreneur (2018). • 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) • Social Entrepreneur Award by Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif; for Akhuwat's contribution for poverty alleviation (2018) • Islamic Finance Excellence Award by Comsats University Pakistan in commemoration of Akhuwat's contribution to the advancement of Islamic finance (2018) • Shaan-e-Pakistan (Pride of Pakistan) awarded by President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi acknowledging Saqib's efforts and welfare work during COVID-19 (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) • 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) • Islamic Economics Application Award at the 6th Islamic Economics Workshop in Turkey for developing underprivileged communities in Pakistan (2018) 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). • Nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. • 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) ==See also==