Pakistani philanthropist bags ‘Global Man of the Decade’ title at prestigious awards in London

Pakistani philanthropist Dr. Amjad Saqib speaks during Capacity Building Session on Sustainability Disclosures and Reporting in Lahore on May 8, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/icapofficial)
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Updated 16 July 2023
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Pakistani philanthropist bags ‘Global Man of the Decade’ title at prestigious awards in London

  • Dr. Amjad Saqib is the founder of ‘Akhuwat Foundation’, world’s largest interest-free microfinance program
  • Pakistani entrepreneur Huma Fakhar bags the ‘Global Woman Inspiration Award’ at the ceremony in London

ISLAMABAD: Renowned Pakistani philanthropist Dr. Amjad Saqib received the ‘Global Man of the Decade’ award on Sunday during the Global Woman Awards 2023 ceremony in London, in recognition of his achievements in poverty alleviation and social development.

A development practitioner, Saqib founded Akhuwat Foundation in 2001, a microfinance institution that provides loans to the poor without charging interest on them. Akhuwat says it is the world’s largest interest-free microfinance program.

“I feel deeply honored and humbled to receive this global recognition,” Saqib said after receiving his award. “Thank you very much all. It is again a pleasure that I am receiving this award in the presence of so many leaders, men, and women who are changing this world,” he added.




Pakistani philanthropist Dr. Amjad Saqib gestures after winning the “Global Man of the Decade” honor at the Global Summit of Women 2023 in London on July 16, 2023. (Photo courtesy: Twitter/AkhuwatClgUni)

Saqib dedicated his award to the people of Pakistan and volunteers who are striving “to build a better world. A world free of poverty, exploitation.”

Meanwhile, Pakistani entrepreneur and social activist Huma Fakhar also walked away with an award at the ceremony. Fakhar bagged the prestigious ‘Global Woman Inspiration Award’ at the ceremony.

Fakhar, who is the founder and CEO of Soultana Rice and Map Capital organizations, was recognized for her inspirational work in business.

As per local media reports, Fakhar has also been encouraging entrepreneurship at the school level, especially among girls, in orphanages in Pakistan so they may be able to earn livelihoods for themselves.


Rhea Seehorn opts for Elie Saab look in Los Angeles

Updated 11 January 2026
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Rhea Seehorn opts for Elie Saab look in Los Angeles

DUBAI/ LOS ANGELES: US actress Rhea Seehorn attended this weekend’s American Film Institute Awards Luncheon in Los Angeles in a monochrome look by Lebanese designer Elie Saab.

The “Pluribus” and “Better Call Saul” actress opted for an ankle-length daytime dress from Saab’s Pre-Fall 2025 collection that featured a sharp collar, cap sleeves and two pockets placed on the bodice.

She was dressed by celebrity stylist Jessica Paster, who regularly works with the liked of Emily Blunt and Quinta Brunson.

US actress Rhea Seehorn attended this weekend’s American Film Institute Awards Luncheon in Los Angeles in a monochrome look by Lebanese designer Elie Saab. (Getty Images)

Other attendees at the luncheon event included Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Coogler, Timothee Chalamet and George Clooney.

According to The Associated Press’s Jonathan Landrum Jr., the institute celebrated the collaborative nature of film and television by honoring creative teams — in front of and behind the camera.

Inside the ballroom on Friday there were no acceptance speeches in the traditional sense and no suspense over envelopes. Instead, the AP reported, AFI’s ceremony unfolded as a series of thoughtfully written tributes: eloquent rationales for each honored film and television program, followed by brief clips designed to place the year’s work within a broader cultural and artistic context.

Films honored include “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Bugonia,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Jay Kelly,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “Train Dreams” and “Wicked: For Good.”

Television shows recognized were “Adolescence,” “Andor,” “Death by Lightning,” “The Diplomat,” “The Lowdown,” “The Pitt,” “Severance,” “The Studio” and “Task.”

Closing the ceremony was US comedian and actress Carol Burnett, who delivered AFI’s annual benediction, celebrating the honorees’ achievements while reflecting on her own lifelong love of cinema and television.

“I’ve never lost the deep respect and love that I have for all the stories we tell through cinema and television and by all of those behind and in front of the camera,” Burnett said. “Creative collaboration has always remained at the heart of our work, and AFI brings us all together. The world is a better place for having heard your voices.”

The luncheon also featured AFI’s signature March of Time video montage, a sweeping look at cinematic and television milestones from decades past, situating this year’s honorees within the evolving history of the medium.