Pakistan is ranked one of the most charitable countries in the world. We contribute more than 1% of our entire GDP to charitable causes. Charity comes in all forms – be it through monetary means, in-kind services or volunteerism. Some of our most notable philanthropists have been rendering their time, money and services in the best interest of the country and are globally acknowledged. In line with the vision of United for Better Pakistan, we have come up with the Millionaires’ Corner. Here we will talk and share about the Millionaires of Pakistan. These unsung heroes are not the ones with millions in their bank accounts but those who have impacted over a million lives in Pakistan through their altruism and passion for a positive and healthy society. We will talk about the struggle these people went through and yet did not allow their humongous challenges to deter their ambition – ambition to serve the country in-kind for its long term prosperity. The list is long and we will continue to update it with time.

Akhtar Hameed Khan born on 15 July 1914 in Agra (British India), attended Government High School at Jalam (Uttar Pradesh), and completed his education in 1930 at Agra College where he studied English literature and history. He read English literature, history, and philosophy for a Bachelor of Arts degree at Meerut College in 1932. At that point, his mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She died in the same year at the age of 36. Akhtar Hameed continued his studies and was awarded a Master of Arts in English Literature from Agra University in 1934. He worked as a lecturer at Meerut College before joining the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in 1936. As part of the ICS training, he was sent to read literature and history at Magdalene College, Cambridge, England. During the stay, he developed a close friendship with Choudhary Rahmat Ali.

During his ICS career, Akhtar Hameed worked as collector of revenue, a position that brought him into regular contact with living conditions in rural areas of East Bengal. The Bengal famine of 1943 and subsequent inadequate handling of the situation by the colonial rulers led him to resign from the Indian Civil Service in 1945. He wrote, ‘I realized that if I did not escape while I was young and vigorous, I will forever remain in the trap, and terminate as a bureaucratic big wig.’ During this period, he was influenced by the philosophy of Nietzsche and Mashriqi, and joined the Khaksar Movement. This attachment was brief. He left the movement and turned to Sufism.  He wanted to live a life free from fear and anxiety, a calm and serene life, without turmoil and conflict. When he followed the advice of old Sufis and sages, and tried to curb his greed, his pride and aggression, fears, anxieties and conflict diminished.