ISLAMABAD: Queen Elizabeth II has recognised Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib of Pakistan as the 31st Commonwealth Points of Light in honour of his exceptional voluntary service by creating Pakistan’s largest micro-finance organisation that is benefitting thousands of disadvantaged people in the developing country.
In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London on April 19-20, Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the Commonwealth, is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.
By sharing these stories of service, the heads of government meeting would celebrate inspirational acts of volunteer work across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.
Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib is the founder of ‘Akhuwat’, the largest microfinance organisation in Pakistan, which provides interest-free loans to disadvantaged people so they could develop sustainable incomes.
Since its inception in 2001, Amjad has opened 700 branches in 350 cities across Pakistan, enabling over 600,000 people to become self-reliant. The charity has provided more than £345 million interest-free loans while retaining a recovery rate of 99.96 per cent, with all operational costs covered by donations.
The charity also supports education initiatives, including ‘Akhuwat College’, which opened in 2015 and provides a residential facility for students who cannot afford quality education, and ‘Akhuwat University’, which would open in November 2018 as Pakistan’s first free university, supporting over 600 students.
Each Commonwealth Point of Light would receive a personalised certificate signed by Queen Elizabeth II. The award for Dr Saqib was presented on Wednesday by the United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew.
On the occasion, Dr Saqib said, “Poverty is poison. Poverty is a pain. We need to rise together and make concerted efforts to reduce poverty and make this world a happy place to live in. Thanks to the Commonwealth and Points of Light for recognising ‘Akhuwat’ and our effort for this great mission.”
Thomas Drew said, “I am delighted to present Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib with the Commonwealth Point of Light award for his exceptional voluntary service that has benefitted hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged people in his home country.”
