DR.

MUHAMMAD AMJAD SAQIB

(Sitara-a-Imtiaz)

amjadsaqib1@gmail.com 0300 842 0495 Profile

Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, a prominent social worker, volunteer and development professional, graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore. He joined civil service of Pakistan (DMG) in 1985. Having served as Assistant Commissioner in various districts of Punjab, he proceeded to USA to study public administration. Besides completing masters degree, he also obtained much prestigious, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship, in public administration from the American University, Washington D.C., USA. Upon his return, he served in a World Bank funded Elementary Education project and at different senior positions in Punjab government. In 1998, he joined Punjab Rural Support Programme (PRSP), as General Manager and remained with this organization for seven years. He resigned from civil service in 2003. Since then, besides rendering philanthropic and social services, he has been providing consultancy services to Asian Development Bank, International Labour Organization, UNICEF, World Bank, and Canadian International Development Agency. His areas of expertise include poverty alleviation, microfinance, social mobilization and education management. He is author of four books and is well known columnist and has been writing for daily Jinnah, Pakistan, Jang and Nawa-i-Waqt. He has attended many national and international conferences and represented Pakistan at different forums. In recognition of his literary achievements, Government of the Punjab awarded him Khush Hal Khan Khattak Literary award in 1993. He is regular guest speaker at Civil Services Academy (CSA), National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and many other professional forums. He has been among the visiting faculty at Kinnaird College Lahore, Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and University of the Punjab. Dr. Saqib is founder of Akhuwat, first ever interest free microfinance programme. This programme operates from mosques and churches and has opened new vistas in the domain of social mobilization and poverty alleviation. This is the largest individual based lending programme in the country and is referred to in many international universities as a unique and innovative model in microfinance. He is Akhuwats Executive Director and main driving force since its inception in year 2001. Keeping in view his management experience and volunteer services for poverty alleviation, he has been requested by the Government of the Punjab to lead two of its flagship programmes i.e. Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) and Punjab Welfare Trust for the Disabled (PWTD).

Books
Dr. Saqib has written following books: Shahar-e-lab-e-Darya (Khush Hal Khan Khattak Literary Award Winner) Aik Yadgar Mushaira Gotham Kay Des Main (A travelogue to Nepal, Sang-e-Meel Publications) Ghurbat aur Microcredit Shahab-e-Saqib (under publication) He has edited following book:

Devolution and Governance Reforms in Pakistan (Oxford University Press)

Voluntary Assignments
1
Executive Director, Akhuwat - (2001 to date)

Akhuwat is an interest free microcredit programme that provides small loans to the poor and helps them start a business and come out of poverty. It is first ever and the largest interest free microfinance programme in Pakistan and has so far served more than 47,000 poor families in fifteen cities. 2 Vice Chairman, Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) (Dec 2008 to date) PEEF is the largest educational fund in the country created by Government of the Punjab with initial seed money of Rs. 4 billion. It provides financial assistance to talented but needy students. Chief Minister Punjab is the Chairman of PEEF. 3 Managing Director, Punjab Welfare Trust for the Disabled (PWTD) (Dec 2007 to date) PWTD endeavors for the treatment and rehabilitation of the persons with the disabilities. It is the largest endowment fund in the country for the disabled and works in collaboration with 80 NGOs working for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, mentally retarded and physically incapacitated persons. PWTD has served more than 2.8 million patients in last fifteen years. 4 Member Governing body/ Executive Committee, Punjab Red Crescent Society (2007-to date) Red Crescent is one of the oldest international NGOs and a part of global network for humanitarian support and relief efforts. Governor of the Punjab is the President of Governing body. 5 Chairman, Farrukh Amjad Trust (FA Trust) (July 2008 to date) FA Trust is founded by Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, his family and close friends. This Trust aims at supporting the poor, widows and the disabled. 6 Member Board of Directors of: Fountain House Lahore (A project of Lahore Mental Health Association for the treatment and rehabilitation of mentally ill patients) Alnoor Umar Welfare Trust (Interest free microcredit programme for providing housing facilities to the poor) Abroo Welfare Trust (Educational Trust for education of poor students living in slums) Line of help (An NGO working for disaster relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims) Anjuman Sulemania (Custodian of one of the biggest orphanage houses in Lahore)

Education
MBBS (King Edward Medical College, Lahore) Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Public Administration (One year training programme in best universities and institutions in the USA) 1993-1994 Masters in Public Administration - MPA (The American University, Washington D.C. USA) 1994-1995 Graduate of LUMS McGill University Social Enterprise & Management Programme (Lahore University of Management Sciences LUMS) 2003-2004