While there is bad, there is also good in this world. Hence, while we do get to hear troubling news like that of Noor Mukadam and the Minar-e-Pakistan incident, every other day Pakistanis surprise us with positive vibes too. Just today, we got to hear about a Pakistani artist showcasing the world’s largest Quran and the six months long Dubai Expo 2020. And now, we hear that Akhuwat Founder, Amjad Saqib has won an award which is the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
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Akhuwat Founder, Amjad Saqib
Amjad Saqib is a 64-year-old Pakistani who dedicated his life to developing a microfinance progra. By becoming Pakistan’s microfinance pioneer, he has become the winner of the Ramon Magsaysay award. The award was for launching a first of its kind, microfinance program that was beneficial for poor households.
I am overwhelmed by kind messages of felicitation for receiving the Magsaysay Award. Mawakhat is our common legacy & Akhuwat is our joint effort. With all humility I dedicate this award to you all & to my Pakistan. #Award4Pakistan #Akhuwat
— Dr Amjad Saqib (@DrAmjadsaqib1) August 31, 2021
Dr. Saqib, the philanthropist and author, started his venture by the name of Akhuwat, almost twenty years ago. The venture has now become Pakistan’s largest microfinance institution. The point of pride is that the poor Pakistanis who utilize the facility, almost always return the loan, as result, Akhuwat enjoys an almost 100 percent loan repayment rate.
The founder of Akhuwat had started with the idea that he wanted to inspire the belief that goodness can find ways of alleviating poverty.
Congratulatory messages
PM Imran Khan and various other important figured congratulated the man. He called the award, Asia’s highest honor. Appreciating the reason for the award, the PM said that steps like these need to be appreciated as Pakistan moves towards becoming a state based on Riasat e Madina.
Have been told this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s highest honour, has been given to a Pakistani, Dr. Amjad Saqib, Founder Akhuwat. Congratulations to him. We are proud of his achievement as we move forward in creating a welfare state based on Riasat e Madina Model.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 31, 2021
Faisal Javed Khan also congratulated Dr. Amjad Saqib on this achievement. He called Dr. Saqib’s work ‘extraordinary contributions to the eradication of poverty and the development of the society.’
Congratulations to @DrAmjadsaqib1 Sab @Akhuwat for the well deserved #RamonMagsaysay Award 2021 (known as Asia’s Nobel Prize) for his extraordinary contributions to the eradication of poverty and the development of the society.
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) August 31, 2021
Other Pakistanis also joined in to celebrate the proud moment for the country and congratulated Dr. Saqib on the achievement.
@DrAmjadsaqib1 makes Pakistan proud by winning Ramon Magsaysay Award.He with his ingenuity proved that interest-free financing has to be the new normal. One has to be honest,sincere,& innovative in implementing values-based business models.
It had been an honor working with him. pic.twitter.com/5sYpruF9sB
— Ammara Qazi (@Ammara_Kazi) September 1, 2021
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Dr Amjad Saqib wins Asia's Ramon Magsaysay Award for Akhuwat an interest- and collateral-free microfinance programme that has catalysed scores of poor householdshttps://t.co/zSPJ4pECE9
— Awab Alvi (@DrAwab) September 1, 2021
For noble & amazing contributions to our societies, individuals in Asia receive the famous Ramon Magsaysay Award known as Asian Nobel Prize. Dr Amjad Saqib from Pakistan awarded for his outstanding efforts in restoring human dignity. Pakistan got this nobel award#Award4Pakistan pic.twitter.com/EEfFKvFPrC
— Abdul Latif (@MaharSaab_) August 31, 2021
Ramon Magsaysay Award is named after a Filipino president who was killed in a plane crash. The yearly awards were established in 1957 by the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. The awardees come from different parts of Asia who show courageous service to the people and dispense pragmatic idealism within a society.
Amjad Saqib’s contribution sure comes as a breath of fresh air amidst the heavy environment that is enveloping the country.
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