School Days
I did my early schooling in Saudi Arabia and when I got back to Pakistan in class IV I was a timid shy kid. I remember getting back home in the school van when some of the boys would ask me for my name and I would say 'nahi bata raha' (I am not telling you). They would ask me why and the answer was 'bus' (my choice, I don't want to tell). The same boys later became very good friends. With them I learnt to be confident and social.

School life was memorable—full of friends, jokes, mischief, and caring teachers. Some moments remain vivid even now.

At one school science exhibition, we set up a stall to monitor eyesight. After a while, we decided to have some fun. One of us would casually chat with visitors, secretly finding out the prescription strength of their glasses. Then the other would invite them to look into our “device” and miraculously announce their exact prescription. The visitors, unaware they had already shared this info, were amazed by our seemingly magical system.

I also remember the wise words of Ms. Masooda, our Chemistry teacher, who once told us, “It should not be the schools selecting you; you should be selecting the schools.” With straight A’s, I knew I could choose the best path for myself.

College Years: A Journey of Choices and Challenges

I dreamed of going to Karachi Grammar School (KGS), and my father promised me a spot if I scored five A’s. At the time, four or five A’s guaranteed admission, so I was excited and ready. But my mother had other plans.

Since my parents lived in Saudi Arabia and I studied in Karachi, after O’Levels, my mother wanted me to continue schooling at the Pakistani International School in Saudi Arabia. This clashed with my aspirations, so I pushed back, saying, “I’ll only study there if they admit me without an entry test.” The test was mandatory, but after hearing about my grades, the school waived it for me. So I stayed.

I was fortunate to become a favorite student again. My studies were strong, and extracurricular activities brought new challenges—debating and even running a marathon.

In my first debate, the coach tore apart my script. I felt crushed and almost quit. But I persevered, improved my speech, practiced hard, and eventually earned my coach’s approval. On the final day, as I finished, the audience erupted in warm, sustained applause. That moment—the recognition and encouragement—meant the world to me. I won first prize.

University: Navigating Dreams

For undergraduate studies, I wanted to go to the US. My mother wished I stay in Pakistan. At the Pakistani International School, many seniors were obsessed with GIKI—the top engineering university in Pakistan. So if I stayed, GIKI was my only option.

Naively, I applied only to GIKI, unaware that if I didn’t get in, I’d lose a whole year. Admission results were announced while I was with classmates doing NCC in Islamabad. Almost all engineering hopefuls had applied, and many were rejected. When I told a friend I got my letter from GIKI, he jokingly asked, “Nahi hua?” (You didn’t get in, right?) I smiled and nodded, “Yes, I did.”

At GIKI: New Opportunities

At GIKI, I enrolled in Computer Science, one of the most sought-after fields. But my parents wanted me to study Mechanical Engineering—my mother even dreamed of a big sign that said “Mechanical.” So I switched, becoming the only student to do so.

GIKI was full of talented peers. I was a good student but not among the top. When Schlumberger, a prestigious oilfield services company, visited for internships, everyone wanted to secure a spot. One day, my friend knocked excitedly on my door—I’d been selected! Even better, my internship was in Oman. For a Pakistani student, this was a dream come true: an international internship with a leading company.

Schlumberger was an incredible experience—hard work balanced with luxury and great food.

After Graduation: Surprises and Lessons

After graduating, I moved back to Saudi Arabia to join the Al-Tuwairqi Group. Here’s a story that always makes me smile:

While the Factory Manager was out of town, I supervised shifting his office. A worker accidentally broke his table. I was terrified—thinking I’d be scolded and lose the privilege of working closely with the manager. But when he returned, instead of anger, he said, “Good, we’ll get a new table.”

Not only did I escape trouble, but I also inherited his grand table! Sometimes, ALLAH SWT turns what seems like disaster into blessing in ways we never expect.

Higher Studies and Challenges Abroad

For graduate studies, I chose an affordable yet well-ranked university in the US. I used my savings from Al-Tuwairqi for my first semester and worked at the student center. But when the center closed for summer, I found myself broke and without income. Despite applying for many assistantships, nothing came through. For the first time, I faced failure head-on.

A friend suggested I return to Pakistan. “No,” I said firmly. I couldn’t go back defeated—people had high expectations of me.

In that desperate moment, I turned to ALLAH SWT, praying for guidance and strength. I repeated a comforting Quranic verse:
“Alaa inna narsallahi qareeb” — Verily, the help of ALLAH SWT is near.

With renewed hope, I wandered campus looking for opportunities and stumbled into an interview for an assistantship in the veterinary sciences school—something I hadn’t applied for. The interviewers kindly gave me a chance, and I got hired. That job saved me.

Soon after, I landed a job with Kraft Foods. Within months of feeling broken, I found myself asking, “What do I even do with all this money?” I couldn’t thank ALLAH SWT enough.

Returning to Pakistan: Purpose Over Comfort

I had always wanted to come back to Pakistan. With international experience behind me, I knew the sooner I returned, the better. So around 2005-2006, I moved back, ready to start a consulting business alongside university teaching.

But consulting was tougher than I expected. I stayed in academia for flexibility but shifted focus to initiatives that truly interested me.

Life in Pakistan: Reflections and Aspirations

Do I like living in Pakistan? Sometimes, I wonder if living abroad would be easier. But I’ve learned that if you have a purpose, geography is no barrier.

When I first returned, I dreamed of starting a business while teaching. Now, my focus has deepened: purpose. I want to help youth craft meaningful life stories—encouraging them to set goals, believe in themselves, and inspire others with their unique strengths.

Though the journey is challenging, I hold onto that Quranic verse, “Alaa inna nasrallahi qareeb.”

Lessons from Life

I have learned to trust ALLAH SWT. Even when situations seem difficult, ALLAH SWT turns them into blessings beyond imagination.

وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

And perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you.

And ALLAH SWT knows, and you know not.

Surah 2:216

Like the broken table story—it seemed stressful, but ALLAH SWT transformed it for my benefit. There have been many such moments.