From Ibrahim Goth to Michigan, there's no stopping this TCF alumna

Iqra is the first person to go to LUMS from her fishing village

Iqra Saleem is no ordinary girl — the first person to attend Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) from her pottery slum -- Saleem has just returned from an exchange programme in the United States and aspires to work in the public sector to give back to the society.

Saleem, a resident of Karachi’s Ibrahim Goth, said her school had played a pivotal role in shaping her life. With no educational institution in the disadvantaged neighbourhood, Saleem said it was her good fortune that The Citizens Foundation (TCF) decided to build a campus in the area.



Student by day and tailor by night, Saleem strived hard. That is what she said took her where she is today.  “I believe everyone can achieve their dreams with hard work and consistency,” Saleem said.

PHOTO: Iqra Saleem

After acing her matric and intermediate exams, Saleem set her eyes on the LUMS scholarship programme. With the help of mentors from TCF-Alumni Development Programme, Saleem prepared for the university admission test and was eventually awarded a full-merit scholarship to study at LUMS’ Suleman Dawood School of Business.

“I don’t think I would have had a future if there was no TCF in Ibrahim Goth. I might have remained unaware of what I could achieve like many out-of-school children. I would have never realised my dream for higher education without the support of my mentors,” Saleem said.

PHOTO: Iqra Saleem

For the young who lead challenging lives Saleem said, “Always dream high and never give up. “No one gets anywhere without hard work. Some people just have to struggle more."

Saleem’s urged the privileged to help the less fortunate. “Never settle for less. Help others if you come across opportunities. Scores of children still remain out of school and they have little idea of what they are missing out on,” she emphasised.



Having just returned from Michigan after studying a semester at Saginaw Valley State University on scholarship, Saleem said she wanted to attend graduate school abroad before returning to work in the public sector.

“I want to particularly deal with education as it is something very near to my heart. I want to devote my time and money to revamp the sector to such an extent that exclusive access to education becomes a thing of the past,” Saleem said.

In an earlier version of this article, Ibrahim Goth was erroneously identified as Ibrahim Hyderi. The error is regretted and has been rectified.