Momin Saqib, a name synonymous with passion, leadership, and unrelenting dedication to social impact, has been honoured with the Outstanding Youth Leader 2024 Award.
In a grand ceremony honouring the Power 100 British Pakistanis at the 14th edition of the Pakistan Achievement Awards, renowned restaurateur Suleman Raza and BBC Entertainment Reporter Haroon Rashid presented Saqib with an award, recognising his wide-ranging contributions across the fields of entertainment, education, and social entrepreneurship.
With a social media following of over six million, Momin Saqib has long been an influential figure. Following immense online popularity, he has been shining in the world of entertainment, not only starring in multiple films and TV dramas, but also captivating audiences by hosting over 100 episodes of the popular chat show ‘Had Kar Di’ alongside his viral cricket content.
However, his impact beyond entertainment is what has earned him this prestigious award. Saqib co-founded significant non-profit initiatives like the Forbes-recognised Tayaba.org, having positively impacted over half a million lives aligned with UN SDGs, by providing access to clean water in rural areas that addresses one of Pakistan’s most critical needs.
His social entrepreneurial initiatives have earned him recognition, including from the Commonwealth and the British government’s Points of Light Award, which solidify his reputation as a changemaker.
Momin Saqib's commitment to education is equally noteworthy. In 2017, he was named the Pride of Pakistan by the Overseas Pakistani foundation, a testament to his exceptional achievements at a young age. After a successful tenure as KCLSU’s first non-European president in 144 years and graduating with a BSc in Computer Science, he furthered his educational pursuits through a fully-funded Newsweek Scholarship for a Master’s in Global Leadership and Peacebuilding.
With an influence extends globally, Momin Saqib has been invited as a speaker at prestigious institutions such as King’s College, Cambridge University, New York University (NYU), and Boston University to name a few, where he shared his journey and insights with young students who he calls the next generation of leaders.
For many years now, he is also a valued staff member at King’s College London, actively contributing to academic and curriculum advancements. His leadership has inspired many, particularly the youth, through his diverse achievements, and more recently his advocacy for the adoption of technology.
Saqib has been a key figure in steering the Pakistani youth towards the blockchain revolution. As the co-founder of Web3Works and Web3Pak, Pakistan’s first blockchain-based co-working space and community respectively, he has pioneered efforts to foster learning, growth and networking, through encouraging Web3 adoption in Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. With a thriving community of over 7,000 members, Web3Pak has become a beacon of innovation, particularly for the country’s youth, who are embracing blockchain as a transformative tool.
He recently also co-founded a growing restaurant chain in Pakistan named MEG. With a team aged under 30, the primary two branches in Lahore have gained immense popularity in less than one year of establishment, and expansion is underway.
Saqib previously received the “Rising Star of the Year” Award at the PAA in 2021. Owing to many notable career advancements, he has once again been honoured with the Outstanding Youth Leader 2024 Award. For Saqib, it is not just a milestone but a reminder of his mantra: "the real work begins after an award.". He continues to champion diversity, discipline, and compassion in every endeavor he undertakes, urging the youth to find their starting point and keep building.
As he took to the stage on Saturday evening in London, Momin Saqib dedicated his award to his father Muhammad Saqib and his brother, Bilal Bin Saqib MBE. Crediting his achievements to their support, he reaffirmed his commitment to empowering the youth and making a lasting impact in Pakistan and beyond. Aligned with his personal journey, he encouraged everyone to pursue diverse interests and not label themselves in particular roles owing to any societal pressure. This award is yet another jewel in Momin Saqib’s already illustrious crown, marking him as a true beacon of hope and inspiration for the current and future generations of the Pakistanis.
