Pakistani social entrepreneur Dr Amjad Saqib nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2022

Dr Amjad Saqib, a Pakistani philanthropist and the Founder of Akhuwat, the country’s interest-free microfinance company, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2022.

Dr Saqib, who is well-respected in his field has been recognised for his humanitarian efforts to help the poor and reduce poverty by providing interest-free loans to those in need. He has been invited to speak on issues of poverty and social entrepreneurship at various prestigious UK universities including University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, among others.

Akhuwat has so far offered interest-free loans to over three million families amounting to Rs 155 billion, making it the largest microfinance company in Pakistan, with a significant loan repayment rate of 99.9%. Dr Saqib recently received the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2021 for his work.

The former civil servant has also made big changes in the education system of Pakistan by adopting various abandoned public schools and turning them into ideal learning places for children belonging to poor families. Additionally, he has also dipped his feet in healthcare services and clothes bank for the poor as well as psycho-social services to provide support to the transgender communities. Dr Saqib offered necessary assistance to people when the Covid-19 pandemic was in full-swing in Pakistan.