Two Pakistanis win UK’s Global Women Awards

LONDON: Two Pakistanis have won awards at the United Kingdom’s prestigious Global Women Awards 2023 ceremony held in London.

Pakistani businesswoman Huma Fakhar and philanthropist Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib, nominated in their respective categories in June, received their awards on Saturday.

Fakhar won the Global Woman Inspiration Award for her work in Pakistan’s business and social sector. The award category pays tribute to a woman who has inspired and motivated others through her career, overcoming obstacles, and making a positive impact in her community.

Fakhar is co-authoring Pakistan’s White Revolution Dairy Investments’ vision ‘Doodh Darya’, which laid the foundation of corporate dairy farms in Pakistan and empowered more than 500,000 women in the sector.

She also contributed to a circularity fund called Green Footprints, which supports startups in the food sector, and encourages circular business models, research and development.

In addition, she is working to bring entrepreneurship to the school level, especially among girls, and in orphanages across Pakistan in hopes to give them an avenue to support themselves.

In her acceptance speech, Fakhar said, “Pakistan is a story of women’s courage, an unfolding story.”

She thanked her friends and family, as well as the organisers for their support and encouragement.

Meanwhile, Saqib was awarded the Global Man of the Decade honour, which recognised his outstanding philanthropic contributions.

Saqib is a renowned philanthropist known for his social initiatives and welfare work in the country. He is the founder and chairman of Akhuwat, the world’s largest Islamic Microfinance programme and fee-free college university, open to talent from all across Pakistan.

He was previously bestowed the Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the Pakistani government.

He dedicated his win to the people of Pakistan and “all the volunteers and the great human beings who are volunteers and who all are aiming to build a better world. A world free of poverty, exploitation.”