Brief Profile: Iqbal Umar

Pakistan News & Features Services

Iqbal Umar is recognized as one of the leading entrepreneurs and social figures of Pakistan. He has held key positions at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the Karachi Cotton Association (KCA) and other trade bodies besides having served on the board of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

Having playing first-class cricket in his university days, he remains passionate about the game in the role of a commentator and an administrator. 

With his vast knowledge and understanding of the sport, he has widely been tipped as a potential candidate for becoming the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He, however, was elected to the Governing Board of the PCB.

He has been particularly vocal for the cause of developing more playgrounds in Karachi. He has advocated for the infrastructure development besides the revival of historic cricket grounds of the city.

Iqbal Umar holds a unique distinction of having been elected unopposed as the President of the Karachi Gymkhana on a couple of occasions. As a left-arm-spinner, he has continued playing cricket at the club level for a number of decades.

He was one of the pioneers of the Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Festival Cricket Tournament which has gone on to become the leading annual event of its kind being held in the country.